Madonna Counters Fans' Class Action Lawsuit

Madonna speaks onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards
Madonna speaks onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Madonna is in the midst of legal trouble after upsetting fans.

The singer is facing class action lawsuits over delayed set times, inhospitable venue conditions and "pornographic" imagery.

At a show in December, Madonna was set to take the stage at New York's Barclays center at 8:30 p.m., but did not begin her performance until 10:30 p.m. Fans Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden claim that Madonna and her concert promoter, Live Nation, used "false advertising, negligent misrepresentation, and unfair and deceptive trade practices."

They also argue that Madonna's starting and finishing later than intended led to difficulty returning home on public transportation options, which could impact a fan's ability to "get up early to go to work."

Another set of fans filed suit in April after Madonna, once again, showed up two hours late for her performance in Washington, D.C.The fans alleged Madonna's actions are a "breach of contract," and are seeking damages, interest and "any other relief."

"Even if some ticket purchasers know of Madonna's unfortunate history of starting her concerts late, they do not know how late she will show-up on stage at any particular concert, so ticket purchasers arrived at the start time as advertised," states the lawsuit.

Madonna has shown no personal signs of concern regarding the suits; however, her team is fighting to have the suit dismissed.

"I am sorry I am late... no, I am not sorry, it's who I am... I'm always late," said Madonna when she took the stage at a show in Washington, D.C.

In a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, Madonna's legal team wrote that "No reasonable concertgoer - and certainly no Madonna fan - would expect the headline act at a major arena concert to take the stage at the ticketed event time."

Madonna's team also wrote that there was no designated start time stated on the concert tickets.

"Rather, a reasonable concertgoer would understand that the venue's doors will open at or before the ticketed time, one or more opening acts may perform while attendees arrive and make their way to their seats and before the headline act takes the stage, and the headline act will take the stage later in the evening," the motion continues.

Madonna is also being sued after a fan, Justin Lipeles, said that watching the concert felt like "watching a pornographic film being made" without any warning, citing that there were "topless women on stage simulating sex acts."

Lipeles also alleges that Madonna "refused to allow the air conditioning to be turned on" in the sweltering Los Angeles venue. He is suing for breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, unfair competition, false advertising and emotional distress and is seeking compensatory damages and a refund for his four tickets, which cost $500 each.

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Madonna, Lawsuit
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