Tuesday, March 29

Anything For Publicity

From NY Post:

March 29, 2005 --
Catholic-turned-Kabbalah-kook Madonna has a bad habit of displaying poor taste, and now her boy-toy director hubby has stirred up more controversy - by dressing as the pope while John Paul II is seriously ailing. The bizarre pair donned what critics blasted as outrageously offensive costumes for a fete celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim at the Kabbalah Center in London.

The gap-toothed, 46-year-old mom of two went as a nun, while her wide-eyed, 36-year-old husband, Guy Ritchie, strutted through the doors as the pope. But it was Ritchie's gold-trimmed white garb and matching skullcap that drew the most ire of Catholic leaders, who were incensed over his timing, considering that Pope John Paul II's worldwide flock is in grief over his poor health.

Madonna's rep, Liz Rosenberg, scoffed at critics. "That's completely ridiculous," she said of the hoopla. "They went to a costume party. There wasn't disrespect intended at all. That's just somebody looking for a problem when there isn't one."

Exclusive photos of the pair at the gig will be featured in People magazine out Friday.

Purim is the Jewish religion's most festive holiday, when it is customary to wear costumes — although the costumes generally involve characters from the historical Purim story, not popes and nuns.

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