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Three ago true blue Madonna fans are now seeing red. They filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the singer in Washington, D.C., and Live Nation complained that she was late to the stage.
The fans, Elizabeth Halber-Acefi, Mary Konoboy and Nestor Monte, Jr., were told on their tickets that the celebration tour would begin at 8:30 p.m., but Madge did not appear until 10:30 p.m. each day. His DC date in December. The case echoes another one in which Madonna was accused of being late to a Brooklyn concert last year.
On filing, received Rolling Stone, the DC trio say they feel „betrayed.” They also claim that they „had to leave the concerts before the end of the concert, so each of them lost the benefit of seeing the complete concert.” The lawsuit further alleges that Madonna is „maintaining.”[ed] hot and uncomfortable temperature in the venue during her performance” and her “lip sync[ed] Much of her performance.” They say the alleged actions represent „Madonna's arrogant and total disrespect” for ticket holders. „In essence, Madonna and Live Nation are a consumer's worst nightmare,” the suit says.
When Madonna took to the stage at a packed concert in DC on December 18, she told the crowd: „I'm sorry, I'm late… No, I'm not sorry, I'm… I'm always late. .”
One of the plaintiffs, Halper-Asefi, spent $992.76 on tickets from StubHub, while others bought from Ticketmaster. Conoboy spent $537.70 on two tickets, while Monte spent $252.44 on two tickets.
„Defendants failed to provide ticket holders with any notice that the concerts would begin much later than the start time printed and advertised on the tickets, resulting in ticket holders waiting for hours at the concert venue,” the lawsuit states. .
Interestingly, Madonna cites several examples of past tours where she didn't hit the stage right away, including her 2016 one. A rebellious heart tour and Madam X Madonna's lateness to concerts in Brooklyn is said to be well-known. „Fans have reported numerous articles in the media and on the Internet over the years that Madonna did not take the stage several hours after the advertised start time of her concerts,” the complaint states. „Unfortunately, not everyone who relies on advertising for concerts knows this. And, some ticket buyers have no idea Madonna's unfortunate history of starting her concerts late, but how late she would be. [sic] on stage at any particular concert, so ticket buyers arrived at the advertised start time. It will be interesting to see how lawyers argue what they say is common sense.
The suit alleges fraudulent trade practices, „breach of contract” for not starting at 8:30 a.m. and misrepresentation, among other claims. The plaintiffs are seeking damages, interest and „any other relief.”
Live Nation did not immediately respond It's Rolling Stone Request for comment. Madonna's rep declined to comment.
An advocate on behalf of the petitioners ordered Rolling Stone „This complaint is not about unhappy fans who don't want to stay up late, but about reasonable, responsible people who are busy with babysitters, work, getting their vehicles out of parking lots, etc. Closed at 12:00 midnight, and realized that public transport is no longer running.
Madonna and Live Nation previously responded to another class action lawsuit, similarly alleging that the artist was late to the stage at a Brooklyn concert just days before her DC dates. „The shows opened in North America at the Barclays in Brooklyn as planned, except for a technical issue during sound check on Dec. 13,” the statement said. „This caused a delay, which was well documented in press reports at the time. We intend to vigorously defend this case.
Another fan sued Madonna for the late start of her 2019 Miami date Madam X Tour. The case was eventually dismissed.
Madonna wraps up her celebratory tour with a free show in Brazil next month.
This article has been updated to include a plaintiffs' attorney footnote.