Madonna, Kento and the rest of her dancers perform a tribute to Michael Jackson in London on Saturday
Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

They both ruled the '80s, redefined themselves in the '90s and, as this decade draws to a close, they remained the two biggest pop stars of this generation. But now there is only one.

Madonna honored the late King of Pop Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London, the very same venue where Michael Jackson was scheduled to perform a 50-show run beginning later this month. Jackson's series of concerts were being billed as his farewell tour. Instead, MJ suddenly passed June 25 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Halfway through Madonna's set — which kicked off the second leg of her Sticky & Sweet tour — the Material Girl halted the regularly scheduled show. One of her dancers, whom she later identified as Kento, made his way across the stage, wearing MJ's trademark fedora, fitted slacks, white socks, white glove and penny loafers and mimicking Jackson's spinning, gyrating and moonwalking.

A medley of Jackson's hits then played, from "Billie Jean" to "Wanna Be Startin' Something." From the stage, Madonna lead the cheers for one of the only other '80s icons who could eclipse her. She clapped her hands, swayed from side to side and jumped up and down while images of Jackson over the years flashed on a big screen.

"Let's give it up for one of the greatest artists the world has ever known," Madonna urged the crowd. "Michael Jackson!"

Toward the end of her show, according to a report on Hollywood.com, Madge honored Jackson by wearing a black armband and a white glove while the lyrics to one of MJ's most touching hits, "Man in the Mirror," flashed on the screen behind her.

	Madonna's Concert At London's O2 Arena

In addition to their professional connection, the two superstars had been longtime friends. They took turns alternately ruling the Billboard charts and MTV airwaves in the mid-'80s. And in 1991, the superstars memorably attended the Academy Awards as each other's dates. According to a Hollywood.com report, Madonna was also set to join Jackson at one of his O2 Arena shows.

In an interview before the concert, Madonna expressed her dismay over Jackson's death.

"I am so terribly sad about Michael Jackson's death," Madonna said. "I don't know what artist wasn't inspired by him."

MTV's live coverage of the Michael Jackson public memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles will begin on Tuesday at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT.

For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

• Remembering Michael Jackson

• Madonna Performs At O2 Arena In London
• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos

• Madonna

Michael Jackson and Madonna in 1991
Photo: Ron Galella / Getty Images

In the wake of legendary pop star Michael Jackson's death Thursday (June 25), musicians, actors and celebrities — including Jackson's ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley — have began to remember Jackson for all his contributions to pop culture.

"I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family," Presley told MTV News in a statement. "This is such a massive loss on so many levels. Words fail me."

"I can't stop crying over the sad news," Madonna told People. "I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless."

JC Chasez, who performed alongside Jackson with 'NSYNC at the 2001 VMAs, said, "Words can't begin to describe my sadness for the loss of Michael Jackson. I was honored and humbled to have the opportunity to perform with him several times, and he had a profound influence on my career. Michael forever changed the world of music and entertainment, and I will always remember him for his kind and sweet spirit."

"I'm hurt," Lupe Fiasco told MTV News in a statement. "But I'm celebrating his life and his music. Dancing and crying and dancing in public. Holding heart-to-heart conversations with complete strangers about one of the things, if not the only thing, we share in common, That Is The Legendary MoonWalker Himself. A white guy in a pickup truck pulled alongside me on the expressway and shouted to me, had I heard about Mike?!? It's surreal and it's everywhere!!! Every time I feel like getting sad, one of his songs comes on, and I'm just filled with happiness and start singing and smiling. He was the best to ever do it. Salaams, Peace & Blessings. May Allah have mercy on his soul. We Love You MJ!!!"

Other members of the hip-hop community are also reacting to the news. "I am f---ed up right now about this," Wale said. "He WAS the '80s, the '90s. He is arguably the most famous person of the last century, more so than any religious or cultural leaders. He was the originator of music for the world. I always thought I'd meet him one day. ... I'm at a loss of words."

Although he tweeted earlier about the Jackson's death, Pete Wentz also shared with MTV News his feeling of loss. "There will never be another. He was the royalty of American culture. I could measure the growth of my life based on him. I have never felt such public grief for someone I have never met. A legend. I practiced his moves in the mirror. ... We lost the last legendary entertainer of my generation. I feel lost without his presence. Sorry if this is kind of jumbled and emotional. I don't even know what to say."

Don't miss "A Celebration of Michael Jackson on MTV," airing at 6 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

• Remembering Michael Jackson
• Michael Jackson's Video Legacy
• Michael Jackson: A Tribute

• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos
• Fans Mourn The Loss Of Music Icon Michael Jackson

• Michael Jackson
• Madonna
• JC Chasez
• Lupe Fiasco
• Wale

Madonna visits Malawi in March 2009
Photo: Michelly Rall/ WireImage

After Madonna's bid to adopt a baby from the country was initially rejected by a lower court, the Supreme Court in the African nation of Malawi has ruled in the singer's favor on Friday (June 12). According to a Reuters report, the court overturned the earlier ruling, allowing Madonna to adopt 3-year-old Chifundo "Mercy" James.

In reading the three-judge panel's ruling, Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo said the singer's commitment to helping disadvantaged children should have been taken into account when deciding the matter. In addition to producing and narrating 2008's "I Am Because We Are," a documentary film about the orphan crisis in Malawi, the singer has founded a charity, Raising Malawi, which helps to feed, educate and provide medical care for some of Malawi's more than 1 million orphans, half of whom have lost a parent to AIDS.

"It's the wee hours of morning in New York, but she is excited at the news," Madonna's lawyer, Alan Chinula said of the ruling, according to Reuters. "As her lawyer, I am happy that this has settled this contentious issue." Chinula said Madonna will now turn her attention to arranging a passport and travel for Mercy, which could take several days.

The court's action on Friday reversed an earlier ruling by a lower court, which had initially blocked the adoption bid because the singer had not spent the required amount of time in the country — up to 18 months — before attempting to adopt the child. The lower court said that those residency rules had been bent when Madonna adopted her son, David Banda, from Malawi last year.

But the Supreme Court ruling said that earlier decision was based on outdated interpretations of old laws.

"In this global village a man can have more than one place at which he resides," Munlo said in the ruling, which took more than an hour to read in court Friday, Reuters reported. "The matter of residence should be determined at the time of application of the adoption. In this case, Madonna was in Malawi not by chance but by intention. She is looking after several orphans whose welfare depends on her. She can therefore not be described as a sojourner. ... Every child has the right to love."

The ruling said the judges saw only two options for the girl: either stay in the orphanage without the love of a family and live with the possibility of poverty or be with Madonna, where she is assured love.

But, as they have in the past, some children's welfare groups worried that the rules meant to protect children from child traffickers and those with ill intentions were being disregarded due to Madonna's fame and perhaps out of gratitude for what she has done for Malawi.

According to People magazine, preparations have already begun to fly Mercy to the U.S. on a private jet.

• Madonna

Adam Lambert
Photo: Bruce Glikas/ FilmMagic

During his nearly flawless run on "American Idol," Adam Lambert seemed unshakably confident. The San Diego native was so comfortable onstage that even the rare negative comment from the judges seemed to bounce off his glittery armor without leaving a scratch.

But, like just about anybody, that confidence was tested when he met Madonna. In his interview for the cover of the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine, Lambert describes how his "Idol" trip has resulted in so many of his wildest dreams coming true. "Everything that I always thought was a fantasy is actually happening," he said. "And it's a testament to imagination and doing whatever the f--- comes to my mind."

Case in point: meeting Madonna. Months before being introduced to the nation on "Idol," Lambert had met Madonna guitarist Monte Pittman and the two collaborated on some original songs last year for the Los Angeles performance revue "The Zodiac Show."

Zodiac co-creator and director Lee Cherry told MTV News earlier this year that the two hit it off and came up with some mind-blowing music, including the viral-video glam-rock hit "Crawl Thru Fire." Cherry said the very first night the two met they wrote an original song, and they quickly established a close partnership.

After giving her a guitar lesson, Pittman invited Lambert over to Madonna's Los Angeles apartment, according to the RS story, which doesn't specify when the meeting took place. "She had her guard up a little at first," Lambert said of the pop icon. "Like anyone would in that situation, but after she realized I had good intentions she was so playful."

Lambert says he professed to loving her music and being intimidated by her, which gave the power-dynamic loving Madonna the perfect opportunity to show the budding "Idol" star how it's done. "Oh, so love equals intimidation for you?" Madonna teased Lambert. Though she hadn't watched the show and didn't seem to know who he was, Lambert said the two talked astrology, specifically his moon sign, Aries.

"She said, 'You don't like anyone telling you what to do, do you?' " he recalled. "It's so cool, because she gets it, you know?"

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• Madonna

Angelina Jolie
Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/ WireImage

Move over Oprah, it's Angelina Jolie's turn. Despite banking an eye-popping $275 million last year, the queen of all media takes a backseat to actress/humanitarian Jolie on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list of the world's most powerful celebrities.

Jolie rules a top five that also includes Madonna (#3), Beyoncé (#4) and the only male in the bunch, golfer Tiger Woods (#5). According to the magazine, Jolie notched the top spot after a year that saw her release hit films "Kung Fu Panda" and "Wanted" (the article fails to mention her Oscar-nominated role in "Changeling"), earn $27 million at the box office, cause quite a stir with the birth of her twins with Brad Pitt (who is #9 on the list), continue her many philanthropic efforts and manage the non-stop tabloid coverage of her relationship with Pitt.

	Forbes' Top 10 Celebrities Of 2009

That buzz package beat Winfrey, who made a strong showing with earnings that again came in just under $300 million thanks to her monthly magazine and a $55 million deal with XM satellite radio, despite slipping ratings for her daily gabfest.

Madonna came in at #3 with $110 million, primarily due to her smash Hard Candy world tour, which grossed a total of $280 million, as well as publicity over her divorce, alleged love affair with baseball player Alex Rodriguez and attempts to adopt a second child. Beyoncé's equally impressive $87 million tally came from album sales, touring, film work, her Dereon fashion collection, appearances at the Oscars and the Presidential Inaugural Ball and a number of endorsement deals.

Despite being injured and not playing for half the year, Woods still raked in $110 million through a bevy of endorsement deals, appearance fees and a well-paying gig designing golf courses.

Proving that "Twilight" pays in more ways than one, the author of the popular vampire series, Stephenie Meyer, debuted on the list at #26 this year via 29 million books sold and a smash movie, which earned her $50 million. Also hitting the list for the first time was Taylor Swift (#69), who made $18 million from touring, album sales and endorsement deals.

Among the others on the list: Bruce Springsteen (#6), Jennifer Aniston (#8), Kobe Bryant (#10), Will Smith, (#11), Britney Spears (#13), Coldplay (#15), Tom Cruise (#20), Simon Cowell (#25), Miley Cyrus (#29), Jay-Z (#32), Diddy (#35), Ryan Seacrest (#44), Kanye West (#46), 50 Cent (#50), the Jonas Brothers (#60), Daniel Radcliffe (#70), Carrie Underwood (#75) and Anne Hathaway (#85).

President Barack Obama became the first sitting head of state to make the cut, debuting at #49 on a combination of his historic election victory and $2.5 million earned from book sales.

Despite the global economic meltdown, the magazine reported that the cumulative earning power of the Celebrity 100 was $4.1 billion, up a bit from last year's $4 billion figure. The magazine configures its list by measuring the entertainment-related earnings and media visibility of film and TV actors, athletes, models, chefs, authors and musicians, tallied between June of 2008 and June 2009.

• Forbes' Top 10 Celebrities Of 2009

• Madonna
• Beyoncé

Lady Gaga
Photo: MTV News

If you think that Lady Gaga has gotten used to being a pop superstar, think again. No one was as surprised as the New York City native herself to see that the Queen of Pop, Madonna, took some time out of her busy schedule to catch the "Poker Face" singer's show at New York's Terminal 5 on Saturday.

"I was very humbled that Madonna came to the show," Gaga told MTV News on Monday. "And I had been hearing all week that she was going to come, and I was like, 'Oh, OK,' and I didn't want to talk about it or tell anyone 'cause I thought it was kind that she would want to come at all."

What made it even more surprising for Gaga was that she didn't think Madonna had any idea who she was, despite her hit songs and performance on "American Idol" earlier this season. But what really pleased the singer was seeing that Madge made her concert a family night.

"I was really excited to see that [Madonna's daughter] Lourdes was there, and that made me really happy 'cause during the show I noticed some beautiful spirit of a girl dancing," she recalled. "And I didn't know who it was and I just kept waving to her."

It wasn't until the set was over that she learned that the girl was Madonna's daughter. "Then when the show was over, I said, 'Oh, there's this sweet, young girl up there, and she was dancing her pants off.' And someone said, 'Lourdes had green pants on.' And I was like, 'Oh my God, it was Lourdes and she was dancing.' It really got me going. [Madonna's] a good mom, so it's nice."

Gaga will also be happy to hear that the legendary singer slipped out unnoticed. "I was hoping and praying she would get out safely," she said. "If she got spotted she would have been trampled like the queen she is."

• Lady Gaga And Kelly Clarkson Perform In Boston

• Lady Gaga
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Rihanna at the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute benefit on Monday
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images

Wearing a glamorous tuxedo and a dazzling smile, Rihanna returned to the red carpet on Monday night for the annual Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Benefit in New York. It was the 21-year-old singer's first major public appearance since she was allegedly assaulted by boyfriend Chris Brown on the morning before the Grammys in February.

Rihanna did not speak to the media at the event, The Associated Press reports. But as the last celebrity to walk the red carpet, she still made an impression, stepping out of a black SUV in a Dolce & Gabbana suit with exaggerated, puffed sleeves, cropped pants and black bowtie, with her hair streaked with blond and slicked to one side.

The event, celebrating the museum's "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion" exhibit, was hosted by Vogue editor Anna Wintour and co-chaired by designer Marc Jacobs, model Kate Moss and Justin Timberlake. Madonna appeared in a ruched, blue Louis Vuitton mini-dress; thigh-high boots; jeweled, fingerless black gloves and a giant teal hair piece in her hair that looked like bunny ears. Other stars seeking to make statements on the red carpet included Ciara, Jessica Biel, Victoria Beckham, the White Stripes' shaggy-haired Jack White with model wife Karen Elson, Jessica Alba, Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen, Kate Hudson, Kanye West and girlfriend Amber Rose, Winona Ryder, Kate Bosworth, Eva Longoria, Anne Hathaway, Liv Tyler and Katy Perry — who modeled an electric-blue mermaid gown by Tommy Hilfiger with a metallic collar.

This was the first time Rihanna has appeared at a major industry event since Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy gala in February. It came on the heels of news that she had canceled her comeback concert, which had been slated to take place later this month in Dubai.

• Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, More At The At Metropolitan Museum Gala

• Rihanna
• Madonna
• Katy Perry
• Justin Timberlake

Madonna
Photo: Ray Tamarra/ Getty Images

Madonna was hospitalized briefly on Saturday after taking a spill while riding a horse at the South Hampton, New York, home of photographer Steven Klein.

The 50-year-old singer was taken to a hospital after the fall, treated for suffering minor injuries and bruises before being released, according to spokesperson Liz Rosenberg.

"The accident occurred when the horse Madonna was riding was startled by paparazzi who jumped out of the bushes to photograph the singer, who was visiting friends on Eastern Long Island over the weekend," Rosenberg said in a statement to UsMagazine.com. "Madonna will be having further tests and will continue to remain under observation by doctors.'

But the photographer who is being blamed for allegedly causing the incident, Thomas Hinton, told TMZ that while he was the only paparazzo around when Madonna tumbled off her horse, he had nothing to do with the incident. Hinton claimed to have taken shots of Madonna before and after she fell but said he has no pics of the actual accident because he walked away after shooting the pictures of her riding the horse. He said that 30 minutes later he got a tip about an ambulance being sent out to for a 50-year-old woman. Figuring it was Madonna, he returned to take pictures of her being tended to by the emergency workers.

Hinton told TMZ that all his pictures were taken from a public road and that the only other photographer around was the home's owner, Klein. "If I had startled the horse, I would have gotten pictures!," Hinton said.

The New York Post has what it calls the exclusive Hinton pictures, which show Madonna on the horse and then images of her being attended to by emergency personnel, but none of the accident itself. The paper claims that Madonna was hurt while taking the horse through a jumping routine.

In 2005, Madonna cracked three ribs and broke her hand and a collar bone in a riding accident at her estate outside of London.

• Madonna

Madonna in Lilongwe, Malawi, on March 30, 2009
Photo: Michelly Rall/ WireImage

Despite having her bid to adopt a 3-year-old girl from the African nation of Malawi blocked by a judge earlier this month, Madonna plans to continue pursuing the adoption.

CNN reports that in an e-mail statement to The Nation, a Malawian newspaper, the 50-year-old singer made a case for why the adoption of Chifundo "Mercy" James would be good for the country, which has spawned more than 1 million orphans due to the AIDS crisis.

"I want to provide Mercy with a home, a loving family environment and the best education and health care possible," Madonna said in the letter to the paper. "And it's my hope that she, like [Madonna's adopted Malawian child] David, will one day return to Malawi and help the people of their country."

Madonna's lawyer has filed an appeal in her adoption bid, which was blocked on April 3 when a judge ruled that the world-famous pop star had not fulfilled the requirement that a prospective adoptive parent spend 18 months in the country before an adoption is completed. The judge in the adoption case, Justice E.J. Chombo, wrote in her ruling that she had a "gripping temptation" to approve it, but decided against allowing the adoption because she feared it might open the doors to child trafficking.

"Anyone could come to Malawi and quickly arrange for an adoption that might have grave consequences on the very children that the law seeks to protect," Justice Chombo wrote in her ruling.

In 2006, when Madonna adopted David Banda from Malawi, the singer faced criticism from some adoption-rights groups that she had been given preferential treatment and not been made to follow the traditional foreign-adoption rules. A number of human-rights groups had similarly protested the attempted adoption of Mercy, alleging that Madonna was trying to work around the residency laws for foreigners.

"Though I have been advised that I cannot publicly discuss the pending appeal regarding my desire to adopt Mercy, I do want to say how much I appreciate the level of support that I have received from the people of Malawi and my friends around the world," Madonna said in her statement.

Malawian government officials have supported the singer's bid to adopt another child from their country.

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Madonna visits Namitete Secondary School in Lilongwe, Malawi on Monday
Photo: Michelly Rall/ WireImage

A judge in Malawi has rejected Madonna's bid to adopt a 3-year-old orphan girl from that African country. According to The Associated Press, the country's High Court ruled on Friday (April 3) that the 50-year-old singer had not met the requirement that prospective adoptive parents live in the southern African nation for at least 18-24 months before the adoption process can be completed.

Madonna — who adopted a young boy, David Banda, from Malawi in 2006 — had spent the week in the country awaiting word from the court on her request to adopt the girl, Chifundo "Mercy" James. The rejection will likely please some of the critics of the adoption, who complained that authorities were giving the world-famous pop star special treatment by considering the waiving of the 18-month waiting period. The residency rule was waived in the adoption of David, whom Madonna was allowed to take home to London before his adoption was finalized last year.

According to the AP, it was unknown why the judge in the latest case, Esme Chombo, ruled differently than the judge in Madonna's previous adoption, but a court official said the attempt was rejected because the singer is not a resident of Malawi. Madonna's lawyer said she would lodge an appeal with the country's Supreme Court.

Malawi's government had expressed support for the adoption on Thursday. "We have close to 2 million orphans in Malawi who need help," Women and Child Welfare Development Minister Anna Kachikho told the AP. "We can't look after all of them as a country. If people like Madonna adopt even one such orphan, it's one mouth less we have to feed."

But Chombo explained in her ruling that the trend of celebrity adoptions could lead to child trafficking in the impoverished nation, which has been decimated by an AIDS epidemic.

"Anyone could come to Malawi and quickly arrange for an adoption that might have grave consequences on the very children that the law seeks to protect," Chombo said.

Critics of the adoption had said the girl, whose mother died at age 14 just days after her birth and whose father's whereabouts are unknown, could live with her grandmother. Madonna had countered that the grandparent was unable to care for the girl and that she could offer the girl a permanent home and spare her the hardship of life as an orphan.

"I am able and willing to securely provide for Chifundo James and make her a permanent and established member of my family," Madonna said in a statement before the ruling. "To deny Chifundo James the opportunity to be adopted by me could expose her to hardship and emotional trauma which is otherwise avoidable."

On Thursday, UsMagazine.com reported that Madonna was arranging a party to celebrate the adoption at an upscale lodge featuring traditional dancers and two of Mercy's uncles, who had signed off on the adoption papers.

David Banda accompanied his adoptive mother on her trip this week and on Sunday visited with his birth father, whom he reportedly did not recognize. Madonna first became aware of the devastating AIDS orphan situation in Malawi when she traveled there in 2006 while producing the documentary "I Am Because We Are," on the poverty and the AIDS crisis.

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