Madonna is dealing with a class action lawsuit filed by fans in January after her New York City “Celebration” tour concerts started hours past the advertised time. The lawsuit claimed that the shows were falsely advertised as starting at 8:30 p.m., but Madonna did not hit the stage until after 10:30 p.m. Specifically, the fans argued that her tardiness was a form of false advertising, negligent misrepresentation, and unfair trade practices. Madonna’s lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, stating that fans did not suffer any legal injury because they still got what they paid for and that no reasonable concertgoer would expect the headline act to start at the time listed on the ticket.
Despite the fans’ claims of disappointment and demands for refunds on social media, Madonna’s lawyers argued that the lawsuit did not allege that her performance was subpar or worth less than what fans paid. They also pointed out that concertgoers were aware that there could be opening acts performing before the headline act took the stage, and that it is common for concerts at major arena venues to start later in the evening. The lawsuit does not include any claims that Madonna’s performance was unsatisfactory, just that it started later than advertised.
The fans who filed the lawsuit claimed that Madonna’s tardiness was disrespectful to her fans who paid to see her perform. Sara Haines from “The View” echoed this sentiment, calling Madonna’s behavior disrespectful and saying that she should not act like a diva towards her fans. Despite the backlash, Madonna’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit. The lawsuit is centered around the disagreement between fans who expected Madonna to start on time and Madonna’s team who believes the fans got what they paid for, even if the show started later than anticipated.
Madonna’s “Celebration” tour kicked off in London in October 2023 after several delays due to the pop star falling ill with a serious bacterial infection that landed her in the ICU for several days. Throughout the tour, Madonna has faced various controversies, including an on-stage fall in Seattle and berating a wheelchair-bound concertgoer in Los Angeles. Despite the setbacks and controversies, Madonna has continued to perform and interact with her fans around the world. The class action lawsuit is just one additional challenge that Madonna is facing during her eventful “Celebration” tour.
Overall, Madonna’s lawyers are arguing that the class action lawsuit from fans who were disappointed by the pop star’s late start times for her New York City concerts does not have legal standing as no real injury was suffered by the fans. The lawsuit claims false advertising, negligent misrepresentation, and unfair trade practices, but Madonna’s team maintains that concertgoers understood the typical timings of major arena concerts and that fans got what they paid for even if the show started later than expected. As Madonna continues her “Celebration” tour amidst various controversies and challenges, it remains to be seen how this class action lawsuit will impact her ongoing performances and interactions with fans.
