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Madonna gets teary thanking her late mom
I was invited to cover the red carpet for Madonna's W.E. premiere at the Ziegfeld earlier tonight. Then I was uninvited. (Space.) Then I was re-invited. I wound up getting to go, and it was a blast of epic proportions. There was a very light turn-out of fans in the cold rain, but the press was packed into a long tent leading into the theater. I was placed two slots from the bitter end, which turned out to be a nice position because anyone who did the red carpet had to pass us to get inside.
I've had front row before but A-1...I'd be riding her dress train!
I made friends with a woman covering for Pink Is the New Blog, but she was whisked away ("first, they came for...") to a spot in the lobby so I wound up bonding with Matt from Hard Candy Music. As I told him, we were probably the lowest men on the totem pole so as such would be lucky to sniff Madonna's stardust as she breezed by. Which meant anything else would be a cause for joyous celebration. We also chit-chatted with a sexy, dark-haired (they have those there?) Swede named Pablo (they have those there, too?) who shoots for Vogue. He was much nicer than you'd expect for a Vogue shooter, and him saying, "One shot for Vogue?" had the effect of a brick wall, stopping nearly every celeb who breezed by. (Patti Smith was not impressed, but I was fucking impressed that Patti Smith walked past me, let alone that she was attending a movie by Madonna.)
The carpet got off to a slow start, but the tip sheet was insane! Check out all the names:
Some of these people didn't do press or didn't show
The first star on the carpet seemed to be one of the film's two male leads, dreamy James D'Arcy, who looks even better with a shaved head that he does with his foppish blond Edward 'do.
Julia Stiles is miles of smiles—for Vogue
Ewan told this reporter the answer to her question was HIS business
Andrew McCarthy was born to run
Patti Smith— love to know her opinion of her fellow Downtown doyenne
It's Diane von Furstenberg, y'all!
"Mine is even younger than yours, dahhhling!" With Calvin Klein!
Guy Oseary said "too stressed!" when I asked if I could quiz him
Spartacus sexpot Lucy Lawless with Liam McIntyre; she unceremoniously plopped her coat on the carpet to pose. She was fab!
Big, unaffiliated stars slipped past most of the press, namely Ewan McGregor (who was at one point attached to do this film), Julia Stiles (who was having absolutely none of any press except for a shot for Vogue), Andrew McCarthy (who gamely answered my question about a fantasy Madonna collaboration: "A duet, of course!"), a stunning Lucy Lawless with equally stunning Liam McIntyre (she gave me a great answer, he sort of avoided making eye contact rather than give us a "no") and then still others who I only saw fleetingingly like Diane von Furstenberg, Guy Oseary (Madonna's manager said he was too stressed to answer my question), Donna Karan, Calvin Klein (big kiss for and from Madonna and some conspiratorial chatting amongst them, perhaps about hot young guys!), Lady Bunny (I was impressed, too), Zac Posen, Ivanka Trump (pretty, actually) Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez (hotness) and several people even I didn't recognize. (Not Z-listers, more like fashion A-listers.)
David Harbour of W.E.
David Harbour (who plays Wallis's second husband, aka the British Marianne Gingrich) was stand-offish, not too thrilled that I asked him how he liked the finished film when it turned out he hadn't see it. (Sorry! I'd just assumed.) James D'Arcy and Andrea Riseborough (whose surname Madonna says almost like she's saying Edgar Rice Burroughs) were kind enough to answer a question or two. Andrea asserted that the interplay between Wallis and Wally in the film was a motivating factor for her interest in the script and that Wallis would have been pleased with W.E.I missed getting sexy-as-hell Oscar Isaac due to his arrival coinciding with some craziness on the carpet.
Oscar Isaac of W.E. with co-star James D'Arcy
Brahim buzzes past
Lola snuck by, as did Madonna's squeeze Brahim, who looks like the hottest 16-year-old you ever allowed yourself to admit was hot. I attempted to ask him his favorite part of the movie, but he's not stupid and ignored me.
Madonna and Liz Rosenberg, whom she thanked profusely in her speech
When Madonna came in, there was a huge commotion and the carpet disintegrated in a way I've never seen one do...people just stepped out from behind the barrier and clamored in a cluster near Madonna. Seasoned TV reporters abandoned their set-ups and were craning to do iPhone pictures and video. It was madness. "GET OUT OF THE WAY!" a female red-carpet shooter wailed like a dying dog. Apparently because someone was in the way.
Madonna mops the floor with the red carpet
Madonna looked stunning. It wasn't a youthful look, but it was a high-glam look, a throwback to a '30s vamp, very Mae West or Gloria Swanson. The black gown was just amazing, and she was extremely expressive on the carpet from a distance, stopping to talk to most of the media.
"Madonna, say hi to Matthew." "Hi." Photo courtesy of Gregory Pace.
As she got closer to us, it seemed like a fantasy that we'd get her, and Liz Rosenberg forewarned us it wasn't gonna happen. But when Madonna came by, Liz said, "Madonna, say hi to Matthew..." and that was my opening to say hi and grab one question. I decided to keep it about the movie, so asked her why she'd felt it was important for Wallis and Wally to speak to one another/interact. Madonna gave a sweet answer and then answered a quick question for Hard Candy Music about how she would term her next era of music. "Love!" she cooed.
Ready for her close-up
Then she posed for Vogue (Hard Candy and I took the opportunity to get quickie shots of ourselves with Madonna behind—this doesn't count as a pic-with, but was cool!) and blew through the doors to the lobby.
Matthew (top) and Matt (bottom): W.E. shall overcome!
At this point, I had to go outside to grab my guest, Jason (if my partner had gone and had to stand outside like a fan for two hours...I just can't imagine), then we were told we could not enter because "talent" was in the lobby. (Madonna.) The guard was nice, saying he had to listen to the people who paid him, to which I replied, "Is that a subtle way of asking for a bribe?" He laughed. He said Madonna was a bitch based on the demands made for the event; he was hardly the suave, sexy Russian Oscar Isaac plays in W.E.!
Finally we were let in, but as we dashed upstairs and into the theater, Madonna was literally being introduced. I was panicked...we had front-row seats, but most of the seats were filled and it was hard to see which numbers were ours. At that moment, Madonna was announced and slinked down the far aisle. Again, unlike I've seen at most film premieres, everyone stood and mobbed around the area where she'd be arriving—she only had one security guy with her!
I parked in the aisle while Jason found our seats. From this vantage point, I was able to get (some) great footage of Madonna's 13-minute introductory speech, which was the evening's highlight. In it, she thanked all involved at length, accidentally called Oscar Isaac "Oscar Isaacs," started to get emotional when she admitted how tired she was due to her Super Bowl preparations and then really got teary when thanking her late mother for giving her life and the ability to make a film about "the journey of a female soul." It was a wonderful prelude.
She's Breathless!
She then departed for her seat and we sat down to enjoy W.E. It was my third time seeing it and it's so bizarre how many small tweaks (and a few meaty additions) have piled up from the first test screening to the final product. I'll have a review out next week. The audience gave it solid applause after. I spoke to a few people who said it wasn't as terrible as reviews had led them to believe, some who said it was pretty good and got a thumbs-up from a pretty discerning Broadway producer.
Lola's daddy Carlos
As we exited, we walked past Carlos Leon, Lola's father, and saw Julia Stiles again, hanging tight with W.E.'s David Harbour. Outside, all of Madonna's most famous fans were gathered, and they told me she'd done a nearly unprecedented signing session for three or four people before the crush got overwhelming and allowed herself to be whisked away. Got to chat with adorable Ari Gold (Sir Ari to you) before Jason and I went to a diner to compare notes.
Kelly Bensimon faces her fans afterward..."Who does she think she is—Madonna?"
It was so much fun—but I'm glad this is not an every-night thing for me. It's a rush, then you're spent, and this female soul is dragging right about now.
Very happy for you to have the chance to do/see all that Matt! I look forward to your review.
Posted by: Derek Pearce | January 24, 2012 at 04:39 PM
Love the review & great photos!!! She was in such a great mood last night & looked so beautiful!!!
Posted by: BklynKitikat | January 24, 2012 at 04:43 PM
that picture of her waving to you is kind of better than any "pic with" you could imagine. isn't it the ultimate sort of inside/outside shot? love it.
(and she looks GORGEOUS.)
Posted by: David | January 24, 2012 at 04:51 PM
SOOO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The new Spartacus! OMG What a delicious man! He kind of looks like Olivier Martinez a few years back!
James D'arcy is so adorable! He would be a good cuddling body!
Lolas Dad looks so weird!!
Anyway, it sounds like so much fun!!
Posted by: Rodrigo | January 24, 2012 at 04:53 PM
Absolutely thrilling! Goosebumps for you!
Posted by: Chexy | January 24, 2012 at 04:56 PM
L-U-V your coverage (sorry, I should be stoned for that)! So happy for you!
Posted by: Feral | January 24, 2012 at 05:07 PM
Congrats, Matthew! What a great night, I can feel the excitement transmitted thru the interweb! Excellent photos and reporting! You are the best fan in the world, I really admire your loyalty and devotion to Madonna.
Posted by: VictorG | January 24, 2012 at 05:27 PM
What a wonderful night that must have been! I'm so happy that you were able to attend. Thank you for the 'report' on the evening. I'm really looking forward to your review of her film. Congrats, Matt!!
Posted by: MikeinSJ | January 24, 2012 at 05:35 PM
Thank you for once again taking us there, Matthew!!
Posted by: Robert Jeffrey | January 24, 2012 at 05:39 PM
Wow, great report Matthew, so glad you got to speak to M! If any fan deserves to, you do!
Just got back from watching W.E. nad actually really enjoyed it once it got going. The start was a bit hit and miss but overall a good film. Not flawless, but enjoyable and interesting none the less.
A solid start me thinks!
Posted by: R Littler | January 24, 2012 at 06:00 PM
Great recap and so happy that you got to have a few words with Madonna.
Posted by: Henry Holland | January 24, 2012 at 06:39 PM
With her latest work and this premier presentation, Madonna has managed to restore us to a glorious era in which the cinema was full of mysticism and emotional scenes. No doubt that she is the great character and Ms. Ciccone is the great actress of contemporary cinema. And no doubt that the Cinema will not forgive the fact that Music chose her first. The brightest laurel for Madonna.
Posted by: ANATOMIKA | January 24, 2012 at 06:48 PM
Great reporting! Being a loyal fan pays off!
Now where is that sit-down interview you had with her?
Posted by: Tomi Luka | January 24, 2012 at 07:46 PM
I was on the edge of my seat, soaking up every second of that video! Congrats!!! And thanks for bringing me with you!
Posted by: Adam | January 24, 2012 at 10:13 PM
There is something to be said about the graceful & poingniant way you have put this experience together. The art, the heart, the conviction & the messages Madonna has released throughout her carreer resonate with me as I'm sure with you too. As a mega Madonna fan as well I could only dream to be in a similar situation but I know I would freak. Your composure & commitment to sharing such a fantastic experience does not go unnapreciated. Thank you for gifting us with this Matthew & for allowing me to vicariously freak out through you.
Posted by: Javier | January 25, 2012 at 02:34 AM
Very nice work, Matthew; thank you.
It takes a fan to ask a poignant/not-predictable question, and you totally did. Combine her answer to you about women's "spirit guides," with her moment of true emotion dedicating the film to her mother, and we have a much wider window into her motivation and passion behind making this film.
Posted by: Andrew | January 25, 2012 at 09:08 AM
Congrats! Great video and photos--Love the caption for her and CK--priceless! :-)
Posted by: Dean | January 25, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Bravo Matthew! Great report. I was salivating watching all the video footage. About Patti Smith, I read in Vogue magazine that she had attended an earlier screening of W.E and she gave it a loud, standing ovation. Have you heard this?
Posted by: Alberto | January 25, 2012 at 10:48 AM
OMFG, Alberto, NO! I hadn't read that! But you're right:
http://www.vogue.com/parties/we-screening/
One time could have been politeness, but going out of her way to come see it again = wow, that's a high compliment.
Posted by: Matthew Rettenmund | January 25, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Love your M coverage Matt!
Posted by: alex | January 25, 2012 at 12:33 PM
Looooooooove it!!!!!
(head explodes... glitter everywhere!!!)
Posted by: Luigi Saturnino | January 25, 2012 at 01:15 PM
So happy for you (and so f'ing jealous). Thank you for allowing me to live vicariously through your divine Madonna experience.
Posted by: Rob | January 25, 2012 at 02:40 PM
Lucy Lawless always looks so hot and sexy and beautiful I noticed the blogger called her a sexpot.
Posted by: David Kashfi | January 25, 2012 at 05:29 PM
Gosh, thanks for my M fix today, looks like an incredible night, I met her too a few years ago, she was doing a signing in Selfridges London with one of her children's books, one of the nicest most incredible moments of my life. They say never to meet your idols but I left her loving her even more, she was so warm and friendly and stunning, and when she asked me my name and then replied to me with an irish accent i almost died and went to heaven, but then i could sort of felt myself about to stammer so I shook her hand and thanked her again, did not want to do the obviously star struck in awe of her look, even though I so was. Great post again, roll on Superbowl and everything else M and 2012 have to bring, I would so love to see her in Ireland if she ever went again, have seen her London concerts a few times, but would so love to see her in the homeland, fingers crossed for 2012 decxx
Posted by: Declan | January 25, 2012 at 08:13 PM
Hi Matthew! I was also at the premiere and enjoyed every moment. Your expert reporting made my memories even more vivid. Thanks for a wonderful job and terrific photos. You are truly appreciated by me!!
Posted by: Cynthia | January 26, 2012 at 11:03 PM