After three decades of controversy, reinvention and recovery it should come as no surprise that, following reports of diva-like behaviour at TIFF, Madonna is fighting back against her accusers.
According to a report in the Globe and Mail, the singer-turned-actress-turned-director was anything but cordial to festival volunteers Monday as she headed into a press conference for her new film, W.E., demanding they "turn their faces to a wall" as the former pop star passed them.
The Material Girl's spin team immediately went into action, with her long-time publicist Liz Rosenberg releasing a statement to the press on Tuesday evening denying the report.
"Neither Madonna nor her security ever gave instructions for the volunteers to turn away from Madonna," Roseneberg said in the statement. "In fact she was so impressed with the volunteers that she publicly thanked them from the stage for their hard work before the premiere of her film last night which earned a standing ovation. She had a wonderful time at the festival and was especially delighted that she got to spend so much time with her fans in front of the theatre which is a famous tradition at the Festival."
CTV's Canada AM film critic, Richard Crouse -- who served as the conference's moderator – was also quick to defend Madge. "I was backstage for the entire time and I was waiting for her and I was looking down the hall when she came in. She did not have a 14-person entourage, as people have reported. And she was friendly to everybody." Crouse told the Toronto Star. "There was none of this ‘turn your back, don't look her in the eye.' She (posed for) photographs, she signed autographs. I think this whole thing is a fabrication."
TIFF vice-president of communications and content management, Jennifer Bell, confirmed The Globe's report that a staffer complained about the incident though was quick to add that, "If, in fact, this did occur, it flies in the face of how we operate as an organization and how we treat our staff and volunteers."
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