The Queen of Music has spoken and laid to rest the rumors. Madonna confirmed today that she and British filmmaker Guy Ritchie plan to marry next year and settle down in London, where the U.S. pop star recently purchased a home for $10 million, Reuters reports.
The couple has a 4-month-old son, Rocco. Madonna was also quoted as saying in Britain’s Sun tabloid that the couple are very much in love and that marriage was the next natural step to take in their relationship.
The singer also said that she and Ritchie prefer her children to be educated in England, which is also why they want to settle in London. Madonna has a 3-year-old daughter, Lourdes, from a previous relationship.
MARTIN’S ‘LOADED’ COMES UP SHORT: Ricky Martin‘s second cross-over album, “Sound Loaded,” failed to enter Billboard’s 200 chart at the No. 1 spot as some had expected from last year’s music phenomenon. The Latin singer had to settle for No. 4 with sales of 327,700 copies of the album, led by the hit single “She Bangs.”
The No. 1 spot went to the Beatles’ new album “1,” a collection of the band’s 27 No. 1 hits. The No. 2 spot was taken by Sony’s compilation record “NOW5” with 444,400 copies sold its first week out. Sade’s “Lovers Rock” debuted at No. 3.
THANK YOU, MP3.COM: Pop singer Alanis Morissette, who made a small fortune when she acquired a sizable amount of MP3.com stock, has decided to sell 70,000 options, Reuters reports. The sum is valued at $433,090.
Add that to the $1.5 million she made over the past three months when she unloaded 189,328 shares. The singer’s decision to sell is of note since Morissette has a consulting arrangement with the San Diego, Calif.-based company.
CHURCH SETTLES LAWSUIT: Teenage opera star Charlotte Church has settled a multi-million dollar lawsuit filed against her parents by her former manager. Jonathan Shalit, who was fired by Church’s parents in January, agreed to a $2.83 million settlement, Reuters reports.
Shalit filed the $7 million suit alleging that he was fired without cause. Church’s parents say that he breached his contract after he became too strict and abusive toward the 14-year-old singer.
Outside the London court, Church was quoted as saying: “I am very happy that this is over. I would like to thank my family — my parents in particular for being strong and supporting me through everything. I am really happy to just get on with my singing which is what I do best.”
