Madonna’s alleged diva behaviour sparked outrage at a concert this weekend.
The music superstar annoyed organisers and fellow artists on the bill at Radio 1’s Big Weekend free music event, after demanding a helicopter to transport her from her London home to the festival in Maidstone, Kent – just 37 miles away.
When she finally arrived for her 20-minute set on Saturday (10.05.08), she issued a string of demands for her 70-strong entourage.
A source revealed to Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper: “She had special Kabbalah water shipped in and demanded bouquets of white roses. While she only ate fresh fruit, the same can’t be said of her friends. “They arrived early and wolfed down free food and alcohol reserved for all the artists.”
The ‘4 Minutes’ singer also reportedly angered other performers by turning up late for rehearsals, leaving the schedules in disarray.
Madonna’s four-letter tirade during the live BBC broadcast caused a headache for the TV and radio bosses. Introducing ‘Hung Up’, Madonna said: “You guys are going to have to stop f***ing it up out there because I need to feel some love. I’m going to do an old song, but not too old. F**k the present. Let’s live in the past.”
Hosts Zane Lowe and Edith Bowman were forced to issue a hasty apology after the set, saying: “An incredible performance from Madonna. That said, a quick apology for those people who might have felt the content offensive.”
The performance was Madonna’s third show to mark the release of her latest album, ‘Hard Candy’, following shows in New York and Paris.