Madonna

Madonna in the New Millennium (2000-2008)
Madonna's career started to cool down a bit in the new millennium, as did her attitude. While she's still a prominent force in the entertainment industry, Madonna doesn't call the shots or set the trends anymore.

2000
Madonna meets Guy Ritchie in 1998 and they begin to date. Madonna later gives birth to Rocco Ritchie on August 11, 2000. Guy Ritchie and Madonna wed on December 22 in Scotland. Madonna also produces 3 successful U.S. singles on her newest studio album "Music" ("Music", "Don't Tell Me" and "What it Feels Like to Be a Girl"). She stars in the movie The Next Best Thing and contributes two songs to the soundtrack which results in one becoming an international hit ("American Pie").

2001
Madonna begins the Drowned World Tour, her first world tour since 1993. It was the highest grossing tour of the world that year. She also releases her second greatest hits album "GHV2"

2002
Ritchie directs the movie Swept Away and casts Madonna as the lead actress. The movie is a box office flop but Madonna later releases "Die Another Day"- a new single for the 20th James Bond movie being created- and it is a success. It was nominated for a Golden Globe award for Best Original Song. Madonna also stars in in the play Up For Grabs.

2003
Madonna releases the lowest selling album of her career "American Life" which was themed around American Society which featured her feelings on the Iraq war. At the MTV video music awards later that year Madonna performs "Hollywood" and "Like a Virgin" with music industry powerhouses Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliot. Christina and Britney were dressed like Madonna was during her performance in the 80s at the very first ever MTV video music awards. Madonna (acting as the groom) kisses both Christina and Britney on stage during the performance. This results in a media frenzy.
Madonna also releases her children's book English Roses this year.

2004
Madonna begins her Re-Invention world tour. It also became the highest grossing tour of 2004, making close to $125 million. Rolling Stone ranks Madonna as #36 on their "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" list. She also releases a documentary about her Re-Ivention tour entitled "I'm Going to Tell You a Secret".
2005
Madonna performs at 2 benefit concerts; Tsunami Aid and Live8. She releases her tenth studio album "Confessions on a Dance Floor". It sells more than 8 million copies worldwide. "Hung Up" reached #1 song in a record breaking 45 different countries. This hit was followed by three others ("Sorry", "Get Together" and "Jump").

2006
Madonna becomes the model for H&M worldwide and designs a track suit as part of the deal. She also embarks on her world tour titled Confessions this year and spars controversy with the use of religious symbols such as the crucifix and crown of thorns. Vatican officials accused her use of the crown and religious symbols as an attack on Catholicism. In October, Madonna adopts 13 month old David Banda from Malawi (and shockingly recieves criticism from the press). PETA later criticizes Madonna for wearing a Chinchilla fur coat in a London resteraunt in December.
2007
Madonna performs at the London Live Earth concert and departs from her contract with Warner Bros. Records and signs a ten year contract with Live Nation. Madonna is announced as an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in late December and the ceremony takes place in 2008. Her clothing line M is released to the public in H&M stores worldwide.
Madonna also directs her first film titled Filth and Wisdom.

2008
Madonna releases her eleventh studio album "Hard Candy" and begins her Hard Candy promo tour. The album sells more than 100 000 copies in the U.S. on it's first release. On it is the smash hit "4 Minutes" which reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. This feat made Madonna her 37th top 10 hit and she surpassed Elvis Presley's record. In August Madonna embarked on her Sticky and Sweet tour and is grosses over $280 million.