Madonna pays tribute to family as she's joined on stage by five of her six kids

21 October 2023 , 20:39

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Madonna onstage (Image: WireImage for Live Nation)

Madonna paid an emotional tribute to her children when she kicked off her electric Celebration tour - with five of the six taking the stage alongside her.

But we hear that her son Rocco Ritchie has not embraced the superstar's return to stage with the same enthusiasm as his siblings. In the wake of her dramatic collapse and rush to hospital in June, Rocco has told pals he worries she will push herself too hard and fall ill again. And one pal told us: “Madonna is a notorious perfectionist and Rocco remembers her previous tours well - she has a habit of exhausting herself by pushing too hard because she cares so much. He is really worried that her health will suffer if she does the same thing again.”

Madonna has made a brilliant start to her tour (WireImage for Live Nation)

We can understand Rocco's fears after the Material Girl contracted a serious bacterial infection which left her fighting for life earlier this year. But the Madonna who exploded on stage at London's 02 Arena on Wednesday - watched by Rita Ora, Taika Wahiti and David Walliams - seemed unstoppable. Four decades after we first heard them, her vocals sounded unchanged as she launched into Live to Tell, Crazy for You and Vogue.

And she was at her raunchy, provocative best for Like A Prayer, flanked by neon crosses and half naked male dancers. In one VT played during the show, the icon's voice was heard claiming that the most controversial thing she ever did was to "stay around." And we are so, so glad she did.

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