PALS of Madonna fear she has been pushing herself too hard to compete with younger stars Taylor Swift and Pink.
The Queen of Pop sent fans into a panic last week after a serious bacterial infection put her in intensive care.
The 64-year-old who was due to kick off a six-month world tour on July 15, is recovering at home in New York, surrounded by her kids.
But concerned friends have revealed she pushed herself to her physical limit to compete with younger singers such as Taylor on the road.
An insider said: “The countdown was well and truly on. Madonna had all her chips on one number, which was this tour.
“She was working overtime, but she clearly burnt herself out and people around her have been politely reminding her that she is not 45 any more, let alone 25.
“She needed to pace herself. Pushing herself so hard was extremely risky.
“But if she can get herself back in shape, the tour will have a whole lot more buzz around it, and she’s already got loads of publicity — even if it’s the wrong kind.
“Madonna is in it to win it and working harder than anybody.”
Another friend feared she could have ended up like Michael Jackson, who died in the lead-up to his This Is It tour in 2009.
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A source said: “Madonna was in good spirits before the incident, but some friends had encouraged her to take it easy and find time for rest because of the gruelling schedule she had ahead of her.
“Many of us feel the constant remarks about her age have put pressure on her to compete, so we are relieved that she has been forced to take time out and put her health first.
“People were really worried about her.
“Nobody would say it out loud but there were concerns about another Michael Jackson situation if she doesn’t slow down a bit.
“She is home, happy and taking meetings, and she has rejected a proposal to scale back on the tour as she still wants to deliver as many dates as possible when she’s regained her strength.
“Everyone saw something like this coming because of her intense schedule but only a few were brave enough to tell her that they were concerned.
“Her condition is completely curable and she’s working with a group of doctors to boost her immune system.”
The pal added: “She’ll be back, I am 100 per cent sure of it. God bless her. I hope she is still working and still killing it at 100.”
If anyone can do it, Madge can.
Crumbs it’s Adele
ADELE is trying to cut sugar out of her diet to help her complexion – but her son Angelo has other ideas.
The superstar confessed that he keeps feeding her homemade cookies.
During a gig at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, she said: “I’m really getting a hold of my skin finally. When you get in your 30s you’re like, ‘It is me versus my skin’.
“Everyone always thinks I’ve got great skin because I wear four inches of make-up.
“But I do still react to certain things and my dermatologist thinks it might be sugar. So I’m trying to cut out sugar.
“But my son is at culinary camp, so he brought back 24 of the best cookies I’ve ever eaten in my life. I ate pretty much all of them.
“Then he brought home oatmeal and raisin ones, so I ate one of those and then some brownies. He made bagels, then a blueberry pie. My spots are coming back.”
Well, you’ve got to live a little, Adele?.?.?.?
Stars are getting dolled up
WITH the Barbie movie weeks away from release, a hot pink fashion trend has taken the showbiz world by storm.
The film’s star Margot Robbie was even seen sporting the look, dubbed Barbiecore, while off duty.
The actress wore a salmon tracksuit and platform sandals at Sydney airport yesterday.
And model Emily Ratajkowski has cottoned on to the craze, stepping out in New York in a fuchsia figure-hugging skirt.
Think pink. Got it?
Gal: Inspiring mum is wonder woman
GAL GADOT sure knows how to make clothes look like her second skin.
The Israeli actress poured herself into a body stocking in a shoot for Vogue Hong Kong.
And Gal’s frame appears Barbie doll-esque in the smooth nude outfit.
In her interview for the mag, Gal – who found fame as superhero Wonder Woman – revealed her biggest inspiration was her mother.
She said: “It’s a cliche of an answer, I know. But I have such an incredible force of a mum that raised us to be grateful.
“And I think that grateful people are very happy because they are always happy with what they have. So she taught us to be grateful. And to dare.
“She put such seeds of confidence and self-empowerment in me and my sister and she is my true wonder woman.
“And she is such a good person.”
Hats off to girl power!
THE Rolling Stones show off their timeless swagger as they film a video for their long-awaited new album in New York.
Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards travelled from all over the world to be at last week’s Big Apple shoot, the first since Charlie Watts passed away two years ago.
The record features Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney and former Stones bassist Bill Wyman on the tracks.
A band source said: “This was a video shoot for the new album which is set to be released in October.
“Everyone is eagerly waiting for the new music, which is the band’s first studio album since Blue & Lonesome in 2016.
“They are delighted that their old mucker Bill is joining them on the record, which is a tribute to Charlie.
“Because of his fear of flying, Bill recorded his parts in London, and that was it for the reunion.
“However, the track was superb and Mick was delighted with the results.”
Rockers all guns blazing
AFTER the band complained of sound issues at Glasto last weekend following negative reviews, there was some uncertainity about what to expect from Guns N’ Roses’ BST Hyde Park gig on Friday.
However, there was no need for concern as the band were firing on all cylinders for the show, proving to any doubters that they have still got it.
After media claims that he had lost his voice on the Pyramid Stage last weekend, Axl was back with a vengeance at BST Hyde Park as his distinctive vocals ripped through an audience of devoted fans, with many wearing top hats like the band’s guitarist Slash.
Their stomping setlist included Welcome To The Jungle, Sweet Child O’ Mine, November Rain, Patience, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, and the swaggering Paradise City.
It was certainly a night to remember?.?.?.?
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Bros in reunion bid for Glasto
MATT and Luke Goss have had their ups and downs over the years but the pop brothers are willing to put their differences aside – for a Bros Glasto slot.
Matt tells me: “I want to do the festival next year. I want to get Bros back together with Luke on drums.
“We want the legends slot. I get on with Luke, of course, I love him. We are ready. Bros ended too early.”
Matt revealed he had been encouraged by Sir Elton John, who headlined the Pyramid Stage last Sunday, saying: “Elton said I had the best British soul voice. When he sees me now he goes, ‘Hello handsome’.”
Matt’s charm has bagged him many glamorous girlfriends over the years including Melanie Sykes and Martine McCutcheon.
However, his bachelor days could be over soon as the singer wants to pop the question to jeweller girlfriend Chantal Brown.
He said: “We just moved into a new home in central London. I hope I can propose to her, I love her. She’s amazing.”
Maybe he could pop the question on stage at Glasto?.?.?.?
Russ is in the loop
ACTOR Russell Tovey is thrilled to have pal James Corden back in the UK.
The chat king returned to Blighty earlier this year after eight years hosting the Late Late Show in the US and Russell is keen for a meet-up.
He tells me: “We’ve been talking on the phone a bit. I’m so pleased to have him back. We plan a beer together soon.”
Russell – who appeared with James in 2006 movie The History Boys – was speaking at the press night for A Strange Loop, a new musical at the Barbican theatre which deals with homophobia and racism.
He added: “It’s incredibly important to represent queer stories on stage.”
Noel musk be lonely
LIAM Gallagher recently bought a home in France – and now his brother Noel wants to move to New York.
The High Flying Birds rocker revealed that he would like to head to the Big Apple to make music.
Noel said: “I’d still like to record in New York – I’ve never recorded there.
“I’d like to spend a bit of time in New York and do something there, just so I could say that I’d done it.”
Maybe while he’s there Noel could set up a meeting with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who he’s keen to befriend.
Speaking on comic Matt Morgan’s podcast, Noel added: “I clicked on this thing on my phone and it was Elon Musk talking and I was thinking, ‘When are we going to meet this guy? He’s amazing’.
“He’s landed remote control rockets on an iPad in the middle of the ocean. I would like to be his friend.”
I’m sure that Elon would be well up for you boosting his street cred, Noel.
