Connect with us

Celebrity

Madonna files to dismiss concertgoers’ lawsuit, says waking up early is not grounds for suing

Published

on

/ 7907 Views

Madonna is not getting hung up on any lawsuit.

On Wednesday, the pop star’s lawyers asked a federal judge to dismiss a class action lawsuit submitted by fans in January after her New York City “Celebration” tour concerts started hours past the advertised time, according to Billboard.

The filing argues that the plaintiffs’ complaint that fans had to “get up early to go to work” the next day does not constitute legal “injury” for which someone can be sued.

Madonna performing on stage
Madonna’s lawyers asked a federal judge to dismiss a class action lawsuit submitted by fans in January. Matthew Rettenmund / SplashNews.com
Madonna performing on stage
The filing, submitted Wednesday, argued that the plaintiffs had no legal grounds to sue. Getty Images

Concertgoers Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden filed the lawsuit shortly after the 65-year-old Grammy winner’s December 2023 concerts at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. They claimed the shows were falsely advertised because she did not hit the stage until after 10:30 p.m. — even though the start times for the shows were listed as 8:30 p.m.

Specifically, they argued her tardiness was a “wanton exercise in false advertising, negligent misrepresentation, and unfair and deceptive trade practices.”

“Defendants failed to provide any notice to the ticketholders that the concerts would start much later than the start time printed on the ticket and as advertise,” Fellows and Hadden added.

Madonna performing on stage
Concertgoers Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden sued Madge after her December 2023 concerts began two and a half hours after the advertised start time. WireImage for Live Nation
Madonna performing on stage
They claimed the shows were falsely advertised because she did not hit the stage until after 10:30 p.m. Brian Prahl / SplashNews.com
Madonna performing on stage
The concerts were advertised to begin at 8:30 p.m. WireImage for Live Nation

Madonna’s lawyers, however, said there was nothing unreasonable about the timing of the concerts and that fans got exactly what they paid for.

“Nowhere did Defendants advertise that Madonna would take the stage at 8.30 p.m., and no reasonable concertgoers — and certainly no Madonna fan — would expect the headline act at a major arena concert to take the stage at the ticketed event time,” they stated.

“Rather, a reasonable concertgoer would understand that the venue’s doors will open at or before the ticketed time, one or more opening acts may perform while attendees arrive and make their way to their seats and before the headline act takes the stage, and the headline act will take the stage later in the evening.”

Madonna performing on stage
The lawsuit argued fans had to wake up early for work and were kept out in Brooklyn until after midnight. WireImage for Live Nation
Madonna performing on stage
However, Madonna’s lawyers said needing to “get up early to go to work” is no grounds for a lawsuit. WireImage for Live Nation

They further argued that the lawsuit does not allege “Madonna’s performance was subpar, that her performance was worth less than what they paid, or that they left the concert before watching her entire performance.”

Reps for Madonna didn’t immediately return Page Six’s request for comment.

Several fans expressed their disappointment after the “Vogue” singer’s shows ran so late, with many demanding refunds on social media.

Madonna performing on stage
Fans were infuriated after the New York City concerts, with many demanding a refund on social media. WireImage for Live Nation
Sara Haines speaking
Sara Haines even described Madonna as “disrespectful” on “The View” after the lawsuit was submitted. The View/ABC

“I don’t give a f–k if you’re Madonna,” one angry fan penned. “If you’re 3 hours late, you’re just f–king rude.”

A second added, “Concert supposed to start at 8:30. Madonna started at 11pm. Whole arena chanting bulls–t at her lateness. Great show but went way too late.”


For more Page Six you love…

  • Listen to our weekly “We Hear” podcast
  • Shop our exclusive merch

Sara Haines also expressed her dismay over the situation during a January episode of “The View.”

“It is disrespectful,” she slammed. “You are literally flipping off your fans who paid to come and watch you. You can be a diva, you should not act like a diva.”

Madonna performing on stage
Madonna’s “Celebration” tour began in October 2023. Getty Images
Madonna performing on stage
It was originally postponed after she was admitted to the ICU because of a “serious bacterial infection.” REUTERS

Madge kicked off her “Celebration” tour in London in October 2023 after delaying the show for months when she fell ill to a “serious bacterial infection” that had her couped up in the ICU for several days.

During an Antwerp, Belgium show in October, she told fans it was a “f—ing miracle” she was alive and able to perform after many predicted she would succumb to the infection.

The tour has drummed up all sorts of headlines, from the Queen of Pop’s on-stage fall in Seattle to her berating a wheelchair-bound concertgoer in Los Angeles for sitting without knowing she was paralyzed.

Trending