LILONGWE -- The Malawi government has branded pop star Madonna an "uncouth" bully who exaggerates her charitable work in the country and demands preferential treatment when she visits.

Malawi President Joyce Banda's government accused the "Material Girl" of bullying officials after she complained about her latest trip to the southern African country this month.

Amos Gumulira / AFP - Getty Images

Madonna is flanked by her Malawian adopted children, David and Mercy, during her visit to Mphandula Children's Carecentre in Namitete, Malawi, on April 5.

"Among the many things that Madonna needs to learn as a matter of urgency is the decency of telling the truth," said an 11-point statement from Malawi's State House.

Media reports said Madonna and her children were forced to join a check-in queue and go through security with ordinary passengers at a Malawi airport when they left the country.

The "Holiday" singer dismissed Malawi's comments as "lies" in a statement on the website of her Raising Malawi foundation.

"I'm saddened that Malawi's President Joyce Banda has chosen to release lies about what we've accomplished, my intentions, how I personally conducted myself while visiting Malawi and other untruths," Madonna said.

Malawi said Madonna expected the government to be forever chained in an "obligation of gratitude" towards her for adopting two Malawian children and contributing to the construction of classrooms in the country.

"Kindness, as far as its ordinary meaning is concerned, is free and anonymous. If it can't be free and silent, it is not kindness; it is something else," the statement said. "Blackmail is the closest it becomes."

The singer said she came to Malawi seven years ago with honorable intentions and returned earlier this month to view the new schools built by her foundation.

"I did not ever ask or demand special treatment at the airport or elsewhere during my visit," Madonna said.

"I will not be distracted or discouraged by other people's political agendas. I made a promise to the children of Malawi and I am keeping that promise."

She said the disagreement was rooted in her history with President Banda's sister, Anjimile Mtila Oponyo, who once headed Raising Malawi. Oponyo was fired and sued the charity for wrongful termination.

The Malawi government said in its statement the current dispute had nothing to do with Oponyo, however.

"For her to accuse Mrs. Oponyo for indiscretions that have clearly arisen from her personal frustrations that her ego has not been massaged by the state is uncouth, and speaks volumes of a musician who desperately thinks she must generate recognition by bullying state officials instead of playing decent music on the stage."

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Madonna dressed as a Boy Scout Saturday night at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York and said the organization should "change their stupid rules" banning gay Scouts and Scout leaders.

Larry Busacca / Getty Images

Anderson Cooper and Madonna at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York on Saturday, March 16.

The Material Girl was on hand to present Anderson Cooper with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation's Vito Russo Award, honoring openly gay media professionals who have made a difference in promoting equality.

"I wanted to be a Boy Scout, but they wouldn't let me join," Madonna said. "I think that's f---ed up. I can build a fire. I know how to pitch a tent. I have a very good sense of direction. I can rescue kittens from trees.

"I want to do good for the community. But most importantly I know how to scout for boys."

Madonna said she was a Girl Scout but that she got kicked out because her "skirt was too short" and she "never sold enough cookies."

The 52-year-old pop star took on bullying, homophobia and inequality in a speech that ran nearly 12 minutes before presenting Cooper with his award. "The reason I love you is you are a freedom fighter," she told Cooper, before he came on stage for a kiss.

You can watch all of Madonna's speech on YouTube. Be warned, there is some adult language.

According to a GLAAD press release, the group's Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.

Other winners Saturday night include (full list is over here):

• Outstanding Drama Series: "Smash" (NBC)
• Outstanding Documentary: "How to Survive a Plague" (Sundance Selects)
• Outstanding Reality Program: "The Amazing Race" (CBS)
• Ally Award: Brett Ratner (presented by Russell Simmons)

Keystone/Getty Images file

Madonna and Marlon Brando.

Madonna is about to resolve litigation with Marlon Brando's estate over using the late actor's image when she performs the song "Vogue" in concert.

The lyrics to the song list out many celebrities ("Greta Garbo, and Monroe / Deitrich and DiMaggio ...") and Madonna has made it a habit to use images of dead celebrities in her set dressing.

But to do so, she arguably needs permission from the estates, and two lawsuits were filed last year over her alleged failure to get it.

CMG Worldwide, an Indiana-based firm that manages the intellectual property rights of many dead stars, sued first, looking to protect Madonna. CMG was in charge of clearing rights for Bhakti Touring Inc, which represented Madonna when she went out on her MDNA world tour after last year's Super Bowl halftime performance.

Madonna was to pay $5,000 each to the estates of James Dean, Jean Harlow, Ginger Rogers, etc., and CMG thought it had agreed to a likewise deal with reps for the Brando estate. But according to a suit filed in September, Brando's licensing reps increased their demands to $20,000, which represented a problem since it meant that Madonna would then have to also pay $20,000 to each of the other dead celebs thanks to "most favored nation" contractual clauses. It might have made "Vogue" too costly to be performed as intended.

CMG sued, seeking a declaration that Brando's estate and its agents be prevented from bringing any lawsuits against CMG, Bakhti and Madonna for violations of Brando's intellectual property. The plaintiff claimed to have a valid and enforceable contract.

The Brando estate nevertheless returned fire with its own lawsuit against Madonna in October, accusing her of having "intentionally, negligently, and/or willingly used the Brando IP Assets for the purposes of attracting attention to the Tour, to the individual concerts and to the song 'Vogue' itself and for the purpose of enhancing the advertising and marketing thereof."

Suing for misappropriation of publicity rights and trademarks, the Brando estate sought $100,000 for each non-willful use and $1 million for each willful use.

The parties have informed the court that they had reached a settlement in principle but need time to execute the settlement agreement. Terms haven't yet been revealed. The Brando estate is known for its litigiousness in protecting rights, suing in the past over such allegedly exploitative items as motorcycle boots and sofas. The actor, who died in 2004, won Oscars for "On the Waterfront" and "The Godfather" and also starred in such films as "A Streetcar Named Desire," "The Wild One" and "Last Tango in Paris."

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Something tells us this isn't the pose Madonna meant to strike.  The 54-year-old "Give Me All Your Luvin'" songstress, who's had her fair share of onstage spills, took a tumble offstage, while skiing in Gstaad, Switzerland, on Dec. 29.

INFphoto.com

Madonna is seen sprawled in the snow during a ski trip to Gstaad, Switzerland.

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Madonna, who spent New Year's Eve in the resort town with her daughters, Lourdes and Mercy, and her 25-year-old beau Brahim Zaibat, according to the New York Daily News, was spotted sprawled out in the snow after the fall, bundled up in a heavy black ski jacket and pants.

While her 16-year-old daughter Lourdes managed to glide down the slopes effortlessly, the superstar continued to have a tough time, taking more spills and even landing face-down in the snow at one point.

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Walter Bieri / AP

Madonna.

The power of Madonna shows little sign of waning, at least at the cashbox. According to Pollstar, the Material Girl was the runaway leader in concert grosses for calendar year 2012, taking in $296.1 million. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band took the number two spot with $210.2 million. Like Madonna, Springsteen played to more than two million fans this year. 

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Also making bank was Roger Waters, who brought in $186.4 million, good for third place. Coldplay, Lady Gaga and Cirque du Soleil's "Michael Jackson: The Immortal" tour were the only other acts to gross over $100 million for the year. Overall, the year's top 50 tours grossed about $3 billion combined, down two percent from $3.07 billion last year.

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Pollstar's list reflects similarities with Billboard's recently announced list of top earners, which ranks tours from November 9th, 2011 to November 13th, 2012. Rounding out Pollstar's top 10: Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, Metallica, Elton John and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Paul McCartney just missed the top 10, grossing $56.9 million for the year.

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Madonna performed at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Wednesday, Dec. 19.

Hey, Madonna fans, if you love the pop idol, then put out that smelly cigarette!

The singer got plenty ticked off at fans who had lit up while she was doing soundcheck for the Santiago, Chile, show of her MDNA tour on Wednesday. She stopped midsong (as her umbrella turned inside out thanks to the unpleasant weather) to give them a piece of her mind. 

"There's people smoking right now. No smoking!" she complained. "If you're going to smoke cigarettes I'm not doing this show! $&#* you!"

When the superstar -- dressed in a big coat and scarf to stay warm -- still didn't get the result she wanted, she got serious.

"I'm not kidding. I can't sing if you smoke!" she declared. "You know what? If you love me, then don't smoke. No smoking. You're looking right at me while you're smoking cigarettes like I'm a stupid $&%*^@# idiot." 

The offenders must've put out the cigarettes eventually, because Madonna went on to perform that evening.

Thanks to fans with cell phones, the incident was recorded and made available on YouTube.

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Alexander Demianchuk / AP

Madonna in concert in Russia.

Madonna drew boos and triggered a walkout by several concertgoers after she touted President Barack Obama on her "MDNA Tour" in New Orleans.

The Material Girl asked during Saturday night's performance: "Who's registered to vote?" She added: "I don't care who you vote for as long as you vote for Obama."

Drawing boos in touting Obama over Republican Mitt Romney, Madonna followed: "Seriously, I don't care who you vote for ... Do not take this privilege for granted. Go vote."

Madonna is often outspoken. Some Colorado fans, mindful of a mass shooting there, complained she used a fake gun to shoot a masked gunman in a recent concert act in Denver. A Madonna concert in Paris in July drew ire when a video showed a swastika on a politician's forehead.

Slideshow: Madonna

Evan Agostini / AP

Launch slideshow

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"Like a Prayer" has brought Madonna to her knees -- but not in a way she'd prayed for. On Saturday while taking the stage in Dallas for her MDNA tour, the Queen of Pop literally proved to be all too fallible despite her superstar status.

Halfway through her performance of her gospel-tinged 1989 hit -- a showstopper of a number that closes her concert -- the 54-year-old headed to the mosh pit to sing with her adoring fans but stumbled as she reached out to one of them, nearly landing face-first on the stage.

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Madge somehow landed on her knees, gracefully rolling out of the boo-boo while barely missing a beat and resuming her performance. Nice save!

This isn't the first time the singer's taken a tumble onstage. In fact, she's mounted a virtual world tour of tumbles. Let's line them up, shall we? There's Wembley, Lisbon, New York, Amsterdam and -- most recently -- this year's Super Bowl, where she briefly lost her footing.

Props to Madge, though: The diva survivor always knows how to roll with it.

At least Madge didn't suffer a nip slip--lots of that going around...

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Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

Madonna.

Madonna left the gun play-heavy segment of her "MDNA" concert intact on Thursday night at Denver's Pepsi Center, upsetting some fans who say the pop star should have removed the section in light of the July movie theater shooting in nearby Aurora, Colo.

The AP reports that fans called into local TV stations after the show to air their grievances over the segement, in which the pop star wields a prop gun and pretends to shoot an imaginary criminal while images of blood splattering are displayed on a backdrop. The scene takes place during Madonna's performance of "Gang Bang," a song off MDNA that contains the lyrics, "shot my lover in the head."

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"We all just stood there. Everybody who was around me all had shock on their face," attendee Aaron Fransua noted. "I heard a lot of 'wows.'" Mile High Sports Radio Denver personality Peter Burns noticed a similar reaction while in another section. "You could see people kinda looking at each other," he said. "I heard the word 'Colorado,' you know, 'Aurora,' 'shooting.' You could hear people talking about it and it was little bit unsettling. I saw two or three people get up and grab their stuff and actually leave their seats."

Madonna's publicist, Liz Rosenberg, countered that to omit the segment was impossible because of its importance to the show. "It's like taking out the third act of 'Hamlet,'" said Rosenberg. "Madonna does not make things pretty and tie them up with a bow."

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Madonna has come under frequent fire for using the gun props on her "MDNA" tour, particularly during a summer stop in Edinburgh, Scotland soon after the Aurora shooting, where authorities claimed the singer was asked to keep the segment out of the show. Madonna released a letter soon after explaining that the weapons were "metaphors" and that she did not "condone violence or the use of guns."

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Madonna's "MDNA Tour" has been rife with controversy as it's made various stops around the world, and Wednesday night's performance in Los Angeles was no exception. Things started earnestly enough when Madonna took a break from performing to tell the sold-out crowd of 18,000 it was time to "have our serious chat."

Reuters, Getty Images

Malala Yousafzai, left, in an undated photo, and Madonna in concert on Wednesday in L.A.

"This made me cry," Madonna said, "The 14-year-old Pakistani girl who was shot on a schoolbus for writing a blog about how important education was to her. The Taliban stopped her bus and shot her ...  Do you understand the sickness and absurdity of this?

"Support education! Support the people who support women!" Madonna then shouted to an approving crowd.

Madonna was referring to teen advocate Malala Yousafzai, who was shot by the Taliban on her way home from school in Mingora, Pakistan, on Tuesday. Yousafzai became a target of the Taliban because of a blog she had maintained about her life and support of girls' education, which she started writing when she was 11.

Later in her show, Madonna took things a step further and performed a striptease, during which she turned her back to reveal "Malala" written across it, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"This song is for Malala," she said, before launching into her song "Human Nature."

News of the "tribute" spread to Pakistan, where some took to Twitter to voice disapproval of Madonna's gesture. "Get it Right: Associating #Madonna with #Malala IS DISRESPECT TO #Malala!!! Plz. Give #Malala a rest!" wrote @OHPakistan to NBC News' Amna Nawaz on Friday. Also weighing in was user @bijm30caahm, who wrote, "Not the right way to pay Homage to Brave Malala. Its a way to earn cheap self popularity."

The striptease and accompanying performance of "Human Nature" have been a staple of Madonna's tour. In Turkey, she flashed her nipple during the performance, a gesture that was believed to represent her disapproval for the prime minister's call to ban abortion and C-sections, and lend support to My Body is Mine, a Turkish women's group fighting the ban.

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Updated at 8:50 p.m. PT Tuesday: Pop star Madonna said on Tuesday she was being deliberately "ironic on stage" when she erroneously referred to President Barack Obama during her concert in the nation's capital as a "black Muslim."

A video clip posted on YouTube by audience members at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington captured the 54-year-old singer delivering a rousing, profanity-laced political speech about freedom during her show on Monday.

"Now, it's so amazing and incredible to think that we have an African-American in the White House ... we have a black Muslim in the White House ... it means there is hope in this country, and Obama is fighting for gay rights, so support the man," Madonna said. 

Obama, campaigning to be re-elected on November 6, is widely known to be a practicing Christian.

Responding to a media furor unleashed by the YouTube video, Madonna issued a statement on Tuesday through her spokeswoman saying her reference to Obama's religion was facetious.

"I was being ironic on stage. Yes, I know Obama is not a Muslim - though I know that plenty of people in this country think he is. And what if he were?

"The point I was making is that a good man is a good man, no matter who he prays to. I don't care what religion Obama is - nor should anyone else in America," she said.

Since Obama's first presidential run in 2008, fringe groups and a smattering of opponents have espoused rumors that he is secretly a Muslim, similar to persistent but unfounded assertions by some political foes that he was born outside the United States.

Madonna has been outspoken in her support of the president, going so far as to rip off her shirt during recent concerts to reveal the word "OBAMA" inked across her lower back.

On the North American leg of a concert tour in support of her latest studio album, "MDNA," the singer has been grabbing headlines with a recent series of onstage antics.

During one of her Paris concerts in July, Madonna landed in hot water with France's far right National Front party after screening footage of party leader Marine Le Pen with a swastika superimposed on her face. The National Front said it would sue the star.

In August, Madonna spoke out at concerts in Russia in support of gay rights and the jailed members of the Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot. 

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Jeff Fusco / Getty Images

Madonna showed up two and a half hours late for her Philadelphia concert, only the latest headline-making goof for the Material Girl.

What's up with Madonna's concert behavior? She's flashed body parts, performed with a swastika superimposed on her face, pointed a gun at herself on stage, and now she's irritated fans by making them wait two and a half hours past the scheduled starting time of her Philadelphia concert.

According to CBS Philly, the premiere stop on her first U.S. tour in four years was scheduled for an 8 p.m. start Tuesday night. Eight o'clock came and went. So did eight-thirty. So did nine o'clock. Fans waited, and waited, and waited, and the singer finally came out on stage around 10:30 p.m. That was too late to stick around for some fans.

“I don’t know who you think you are Madonna, but you stink,” Debbie Bleznak told CBS on her way out of the show. “We left. You can pay my babysitter.”

“We drove here seven hours from Buffalo, New York,” two sisters, who also opted to leave, added. “$170 a ticket.”

Not only was Madonna late, she had no real opening act except for a DJ spinning some music. Why so late?

HitFix.com reports that when the singer finally showed up, she told the audience, “I want to apologize for being late. We had many changes to make from Europe to America, and I wanted the show to be perfect for you because my fans deserve it and quite frankly I deserve it.”

Despite the apology, no reasoning was enough to appease some attendees.

Philadelphia Councilman Jim Kinney tweeted, “Yo Madonna! It’s 10:15. Some of us have to work tomorrow while you sleep til noon with cucumbers on your eyes.” 

The lateness seems to be the least of the pop star’s problems over the summer.

In July, Madonna drew outrage -- and a lawsuit -- in Paris for screening footage of French National Front party leader Marine Le Pen with a swastika superimposed on her face. She did the same thing in Israel.

In  June, Madonna popped her breast out at a concert in Istanbul, and flashed her rear to an audience in Rome. In London, she pointed a gun at her head at a show, creating even more international frenzy.

She even had a feud with Elton John, who reportedly said “[Madonna] is such a nightmare…Her career's over...and she looks like a (expletive) fairground stripper."

But for some, the superstar is worth any controversy, even two-plus hours of boredom in a cramped arena.

“She may have kept the Wells Fargo Arena waiting, but the moment she broke free of her Confessional, AK-47 in hand and singing “Girl Gone Wild,” 20,000 fans knew it was worth the wait,” reviewer Brian Centrone wrote for MetroSource.com.

Would you wait two and a half hours for a concert performer? Vote in our poll, and tell us on Facebook.

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