BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Madonna, the iconic pop star, is facing a lawsuit filed by two of her fans from New York City who allege that she consistently begins her concerts later than advertised. Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden have accused Madonna, along with the Barclays Center and Live Nation, of engaging in unfair and deceptive trade practices. The legal action, filed in a Brooklyn federal court on Wednesday, claims that the singer’s repeated failure to start her shows on time constitutes a breach of contract.
The lawsuit highlights the promotional materials for Madonna’s three “Celebration” concerts in New York in December, which stated that the performances would commence at 8:30 p.m. However, according to the complaint, the shows did not begin until after 10:30 p.m. The frustrated fans argue that this delay had a negative impact on them, as they were faced with limited transportation options and increased costs due to the late ending of the show on December 13.
Alleging that Madonna has a long history of tardiness, the suit also references the late start times for her shows on December 14 and 16 at the same venue. The defendants are accused of not only breaching their contracts but also engaging in false advertising and negligent misrepresentation.
Representatives for Madonna and Live Nation have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The lawsuit draws attention to Madonna’s past habits of starting concerts and appearances significantly behind schedule during her 2016 Rebel Heart Tour, 2019-2020 Madame X Tour, and previous tours. This pattern of lateness serves as the basis for the plaintiffs’ request for class-action status for the lawsuit.
Madonna’s current concert run was rescheduled from last July due to the singer’s hospitalization for a bacterial infection in June. The American leg of the tour is set to conclude on April 15 in Texas.
In light of these legal allegations, Madonna’s reputation for tardiness is gaining renewed attention. The lawsuit seeks to hold her accountable for the repeated delays and the resulting inconvenience faced by her fans.