Quicker than a ray of light, behind-the-scenes details of Madonna's video for 'American Life,' the first single off her new album of the same name, sizzled their way across the Internet.
First,there was the casting request sent to various Los Angeles-based talent agencies, seeking: 'Eastern European men, thin, interesting looking, great face, worn-out looking, craggy,' and '10 soldiers, must have long hair and be willing to shave it for the video.'
Next, came an e-mail from an extra who spent two days on the shoot, sent through various strands of the web to Madonna fans around the globe: 'It takes place at a fashion show with a VERY camouflage theme. [Madonna] is in a tight camouflage outfit with an S & M flair, she is brunette and looks fantastic and is in amazing shape. The first day of shooting had a really laid-back, funny feel to it. The video had a lot of humor and a lot of sexiness to it ... one of the male models had an obviously huge hard-on poking though his barely there pants. The second day, however was bloody, gory and very controversial ... limbless men and women, bloody babies, bombs (one grenade she throws) and a lot of beating all happening on the runway.'
Then, we have The Drudge Report Web site, who calls the video 'the most shocking anti-war, anti-bush statement yet to come from the show business industry,' complete with images of Iraqi children and bloody limbs.
Finally, we have an official press release from Madonna spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, who told the Associated Press, 'I'm not going to say [the video] is specifically anti-Bush at all.'
The same day, however, MTV issues the following statement released by the artist, herself: '[The Video] expresses a panoramic view of our culture and looming war through the view of a female super hero portrayed by Madonna. Starting as a runway show of couture army fatigue, the fashion show escalates into a mad frenzy depicting the catastrophic repercussions and horrors or war.'
The video for 'American Life' was shot by controversial director Jonas Akerlund (Smashing Pumpkins, the Prodigy) and will be unveiled in late March. As for the sound of 'American Life,' the first single off the new album, the on-set extra describes it as 'a mixture of electronica, a little acoustic and yes ... RAP!!! But, the rap is not like Eminem's, it's totally Madonna's. To sum it up, the song is about how she has lived way beyond what she believes is 'the American Dream,' but (and I quote) 'nothing is what it seems.''
The album, due in stores April 22, was rumored to be originally titled Hollywood, after one of the songs included on the 11-track LP. Other track titles include 'Nothing Fails,' 'Love Profusion,' and 'Nobody Knows Me.' Be sure to look for a box set to be released by the Madonna camp before the year's end, marking the 20th anniversary of the singer's recording career.
Another shining example of a girl who has lived beyond the standard American Dream is the industrious, unstoppable Cher, who is set to star in 20th Century Fox's Stuck On You. Cherilyn will co-star with Greg Kinnear and Matt Damon (who play conjoined twins) one of whom 'aspires to act,' according to Billboard.com . The brothers are cast on a TV show starring the diva.
Queen Latifah, glowing from her recent Academy Award nomination for her supporting role in Chicago, tells MTV news that she wants to set aside her busy schedule to enjoy this moment, 'cause you never know when you're going to have it again.' Don't believe a word of it: she continues to be one busy little Queen Bee: in April she'll drop First Love, a new album, featuring guest vocals from her Flavor Unit roster, along with Missy Elliott and Tweet, she'll produce (and possibly direct) a movie for Lions Gate Films called The Cookout, and later this year, QL will reportedly return to television in the CBS drama Mali Anderson. Plus Bringing Down the House co-starring Steve Martin is theaters this week. It looks hilarious!
Bonus Item: Army Archerd reports that the role of Edna Turnblad in the national touring company of Hairspray, made famous by Harvey Fierstein, will be played by none other than ... Bruce Vilanch! (That loud gasp you just heard? That was the sound of protest emanating from every card-carrying member of the Bear community, as they ponder whether papa bear Vilanch will be forced to trim his famous face hair.)