SHE’S had the nickname Material Girl ever since she released the hit single way back in 1985.
But in her first ever podcast interview, Madonna has done a 180, telling the world that money, luxury goods and fame mean nothing.
The Queen of Pop, worth £700million, says she found out the hard way after achieving everything that is thought to bring happiness.
In reality, the singer was unhappy and searching for something deeper, crediting her spirituality for stopping her from going off the rails like many other chart stars.
Madonna has been an active follower of Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism, since 1996.
Speaking on the Jay Shetty podcast, Madonna said: “Before I discovered Kabbalah I was looking for answers. I had everything that people would assume would give you happiness — I had a successful career, I had fame, fortune, monetary things, physical things. But I wasn’t happy.”
She added: “We get caught up in the belief system that our value in the world is based on people loving us, or other people’s approval, or how much money you have, or how many fabulous outfits you have, or how many followers you have on Instagram.
“Those things do not make us happy. Those things do not bring us peace. We live in a chaotic world with lots of noise and distraction. There is no peace. There is no quiet. We are not comfortable with quiet.
“I don’t want to go through life as a victim. I have had a pretty challenging life and it is easy to fall into the trap of feeling sorry for yourself.
“Comparison is a killer of joy. To get out of that game you just have to have a spiritual life.”
Madonna has been keeping a low profile ever since wrapping up her sell-out Celebration Tour in May last year.
But she says her 15th album is almost finished and due out in 2026.
It is billed as a follow-up to 2005’s Confessions On A Dancefloor, which included mega-hits Hung Up and Sorry.
Madonna said: “I’m at a point where I feel the need to thank my fans. They put me where I am. That’s what my new music is about, where love and light are the key. It’s like saying, ‘I love you and you love me,’ in my divine code.”
Teasing the project further, Madonna went on to reveal two new track names, Fragile and Forgive Yourself.
Fragile is an emotional song dedicated to her brother Christopher Ciccone, who died from cancer aged 63, last October.
Keen to stress that material goods are not the way forward, Madonna told Jay: “My sense of purpose can’t just be, ‘I want to be rich and famous’ or ‘I want to sell a lot of records’ because none of that lasts.
“People ask me a lot, ‘Why have you not fallen by the wayside like others?’
“I would say that is my spiritual life. I absolutely would not be where I am or who I am if I did not have that.
“I want to share something that has saved my life.”
LEGENDARY rocker Ronnie Wood has confirmed The Rolling Stones’ next album is done.
Speaking at the band’s RS No9 shop in Carnaby Street, Ronnie said: “Yes you will be getting a new album next year. It is done.”
The upcoming release will be their first since 2023’s incredible Hackney Diamonds, which featured collaborations with Lady Gaga and Sir Elton John.
The band – also featuring Mick Jagger and Keith Richards – are also hoping to get back on the road after being forced to axe plans for a summer tour this year, due to problems with venue availability.
Remaining coy as he signed copies of his new album Fearless, Ronnie, said: “Yes we are hoping to do some dates. Hopefully we will be back out there but I am still waiting to find out myself.”
The Stones are one of my favourite bands so I can’t wait to hear this record.
MEGHAN TRAINOR transformed into a real-life showgirl to take to the stage in Las Vegas.
The All About That Bass singer pulled on a glittering silver and gold tasselled one-piece for her performance at the Global Champions Arabians Tour.
She accessorised with glamorous white gloves and a long blonde wig, and even ditched her standard black mic for a rhinestone number.
Meghan’s clearly been taking notes from Taylor Swift’s upcoming album The Life Of A Showgirl.
ROB BRYDON’s new TV show, Honky Tonk Road Trip, gets a very special guest for its first episode.
I can reveal the Gavin & Stacey legend was joined by the lovely Gary Barlow – who was visiting the country music capital of Nashville when Rob was in town.
The BBC Two series, which starts on Sunday, sees Rob travelling across the American South to learn about their musical history.
And it wasn’t just the Take That star he hung out with as country singer Twinnie was also on hand to help Rod on his journey.
I’ve caught the first episode already and, trust me, Rob line dancing in a bar is exactly what every Sunday night needs.
DOLLY PARTON may have scored a hit with fans’ fave 9 To 5, but it seems even she needs some quality time out now and again.
The Jolene singer has been forced to move her upcoming Las Vegas shows to next September, over health trouble.
With typical wit, the country veteran revealed she faces a number of ops – none of which are cosmetic.
She posted on Instagram: “I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me I must have a few procedures. As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up – although it’s not the usual trip to my plastic surgeon.”
She added: “In all seriousness, I am not going to be able to rehearse the show you deserve to see.”
But she added: “Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.”
TEDDY Swims, Tom Grennan and Rick Astley have all been added to the Isle of Wight 2026 line-up.
The trio will join headliners Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris and The Cure.
Next year’s festival will take place from June 18 to 21.
I fear my camping days are over, but I may have to make an exception for that line-up.
KYLIE MINOGUE may be taking a well-earned break after wrapping up her Tension World Tour but she has not totally checked out of work mode.
The Padam Padam singer is once again expanding her ever-popular wine range – this time adding The Petit Rosé edition to the collection.
The booze is a lighter option to her main run of rose at 7% ABV, but with more kick than her alcohol-free range.
To date, Kylie has sold over 22million bottles of her plonk with the singer previously gushing to Bizarre about her love of Tesco.
The supermarket became the first mainstream retailer to stock her booze following its launch back in 2020.
We will say cheers to that.
IT was the US radio show that made country music famous after it first broadcast in 1925 – and has now celebrated its centenary with a show at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Grand Ole Opry, straight out of Nashville, Tennessee, was making its international debut, no less.
Featuring Opry members Carly Pearce, Ashley McBryde, Marty Stuart, Darius Rucker and Luke Combs, it was presented by the show’s first female announcer, Kelly Sutton, and the UK’s Vernon Kay.
Mumford & Sons, and Scots folk band Breabach, each guested.
For a country fan such as myself, this brilliant, once-in-a-lifetime event at the weekend was a dream come true, an honour to behold.
Those who missed it can tune in to BBC Two this coming Saturday, at 8.40pm or catch it on iPlayer.
Enjoy, y’all!
WILKO is now selling official Labubu dolls – but shoppers have been infuriated by the hefty price tags.
The dolls, which originate from Hong Kong, are retailing for £50 at the high street chain.
Customers took to social media to express their anger at the prices of the fang-toothed, fuzzy dolls.
One said on Instagram: ” The prices are horrendous.”
Another added: “Get stuffed.”
While a third said: “Disgusting prices.”
The dolls are currently available both in Wilko stores and online.
Wilko returned to UK high streets last year after announcing it would be closing all of its shops back in October 2023.
The Labubu doll was first introduced in 2015 but has soared in popularity through celebrity endorsements and its ‘ugly-cute’ design.
They are particularly popular across Southern Asia, with K-Pop performer, Lisa, sharing the fluffy doll on her Instagram story which skyrocketed the craze around the toy.
The hashtag Labubu has appeared more than a million times on TikTok.
The figures are available on the Pop Mart platform but consumers have to be incredibly savvy to get them as they are often sold out.
However, if you live near London, Pop Mart’s new flagship shop has just opened on Oxford Street, which often has exclusive drops of the dolls.
These retail for £32, far less than Wilko.
The doll is also available on Amazon for much cheaper prices, although highly sought after editions can sell for upwards of three figures.
You might have more luck looking on second hand retailers such as Vinted or Depop, who often sell high quality items for half the price.
If you don’t want to purchase the item, you can even rent the dolls.
You can borrow the charms for around £4 a day on platforms such as By Rotation.
Not only have the dolls risen to extremely high prices, there is huge number of counterfeits arriving in the UK.
Out of the 259,000 fake toys that arrived in the UK this year, 90% have been Labubu dolls.
Experts value this haul at nearly £3.3million.
Many of these toys fail safety checks for banned chemicals and pose significant choking hazards.
However, despite these safety concerns, IPO research said that 92% of customer we’re aware they we’re buying counterfeit products, but that the price was more important.
Many customers are not aware that they are buying fakes, but the IPO research found that 58% would think twice before purchasing if they knew the safety risks.
Customers should stick to there trusted retailers and official branded websites to avoid purchasing fakes.
Additionally, prices that look ‘to good to be true’ are likely to imply a fake item.
You should also look thoroughly through the reviews before purchasing, look beyond the first few.
When the toy arrives you should look for a UKCA safety mark and a UK or EU contact on the pacakaging.
The packaging should also look of high standard and not have any immediate signs of wear.
For Labubu’s particular, collectors suggest looking for signs such as brightness of the packaging, pop mart stamp on their foot, number of teeth of the dolls should have (nine) and the presence of the a QR code, to ensure the validity of the doll.
HERE are the British Toy and Hobby Association's top tips for buying toys online:
HUGE queues are snarling up the M5 with delays of almost an hour after a crash closed a lane of the motorway.
Meanwhile, a man was arrested for drink-driving after a car drove nine miles in the wrong direction down the M4.
There is currently five miles of congestion on the M5, causing delays of 50 minutes.
The M25 is also partially blocked after a multi-vehicle collision at J28 (A12).
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand insists manager Ruben Amorim needs to change his controversial formation.
Ever since his arrival in November, Amorim, 40, has insisted on his 3-4-2-1 formation even though he has lost 17 out of 33 Premier League matches, of which he has won nine.
Ferdinand, 46, is adamant the Portuguese tactician’s preferred tactics don’t work for United.
And the iconic centre-back is confident Amorim should switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
That is because Man Utd have players that are “super comfortable” covering these sorts of positions.
Ferdinand said on his Rio Presents podcast: “If they played 4-2-3-1, I think you’ve got all the players playing in positions that they’re super comfortable in.
“You’ve got two central midfielders out of three probably in Casemiro, [Manuel] Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo to play in there.
“And then you’ve got three across the front, anyone from Amad [Diallo], [Bryan] Mbeumo, [Matheus] Cunha, Mason Mount – even Mainoo.
“All of them and Bruno [Fernandes] can all play in them positions anywhere across that front line. And they’re all happy as Larry anywhere.
“And [Benjamin] Sesko up front, but you’ve got Bruno who actually can be in the ten role where he has produced astronomical numbers consistently since he’s been at the football club.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
“That I don’t think is rocket science. I just think everyone’s probably looking at it and thinking the same thing.”
United’s season has gotten off to a bad start with three losses in their first six Prem matches, of which they only won two.
The Red Devils also suffered an early elimination from the Carabao Cup at the hands of League Two outfit Grimsby Town.
Here are the teasers for the upcoming episodes for the popular South African soap drama, Skeem Saam. Skeem Saam airs on SABC1 Mondays to Fridays at 19:30. Wednesday 1 October 2025 Episode 68 Tensions rise as the walls close in on Turf’s corrupt councillor. Meanwhile, the Seakamelas prepare for a relative’s funeral. Mosebjadi urges Pax […]
The post Skeem Saam Teasers for October 2025 appeared first on Political Analysis South Africa.
Below are the current Hot and Cold Numbers based on the most recent 20 Russia Gosloto 6/45 Morning draws, which you can consider for today’s predictions. Analyzing Hot and Cold Numbers is a common lottery strategy. Players often choose Hot Numbers, which appear frequently, or Cold Numbers, expecting the less frequent ones to show up […]
The post Hot and Cold Numbers: Russia Gosloto 6/45 Morning Predictions for Tuesday, 30 September 2025 appeared first on Political Analysis South Africa.