In the Shadow of Madonna

Madonna as big sister? -- Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

by blogSpotter
I just finished listening to Christopher Ciccone’s Life with My Sister Madonna -- I had the book on tape for 6 months before I got to it. I thought it would be boring, but it was actually fascinating. Christopher’s book describes a love-hate sibling rivalry in which the creative, gay Christopher orbits as a satellite around his 2-year older, million-megawatt celebrity sister Madonna. Christopher’s book gives a first-hand look into the frailties, quirks and vulnerabilities of the Material Girl. From 1984 thru 2006 (when a quarrel left them estranged) Christopher was Madonna’s dresser, stage manager, backup dancer, decorator, and moral support. Though he is gay and a brother, I discern that Christopher probably felt like “first man” in Madonna’s life -- he probably felt usurped when Madonna married English producer Guy Richie who was apparently homophobic and unaccepting of Christopher’s orientation.

Ciccone’s book was generally panned as a disloyal rant from a disgruntled brother and ex-employee. I don’t get that from it at all -- in fact I think Christopher’s book is as much a brotherly love paean as a critique. Christopher and Madonna are both hugely talented and creative -- you can see where some professional jealousies as well as territorial feelings could creep in. I foresee that these two fellow travelers will get back together at some point. Some of Ciccone’s revelations about Madonna actually go counter to her public persona; she doesn’t drink or do drugs and is fairly modest around the house (no slinky gowns or underwear). Ciccone describes his sister as a highly disciplined task master who has total control over her finances and schedules. The “slutty girl” image is very much a fabrication for publicity. If Ciccone's stories are true, Madonna drew him into her sphere at various points with promises (apartment lodging, production roles) that she would then withdraw. That Ciconne would come running back over and over again reminds me just a little bit of Lucy and Charlie Brown with the football.

It looks like the undoing of the sibling togetherness happened in the mid 90’s when Madonna befriended Ingrid -- a wealthy gossip from Miami who convinced Madonna that Christopher was hopped up on drugs (true, in part but highly exaggerated). Madonna withdrew her patronage from Christopher’s design efforts, and even eventually refused final payment on a couple of the projects she‘d engaged him in. At one point where Madonna was raking in $53 million a year, her poor brother was tanking in his restaurant business, begging rides after his car was repossessed, and scrounging up money for a $10K medical bill.

I don’t see this book as sour grapes. I too have an extremely out-going popular older brother. I spent my teenage and college years being “Bryan’s brother”. I can tell from Christopher’s account (even his gift with words) that he’s an extremely smart and talented person -- someone who would shine brightly if he wasn’t having to shine next to Venus or the Sun. What I read between the lines is that Christopher and Madonna are soul mates of sorts -- people who have actually accommodated each other’s dysfunctions since a shared childhood. They have a love that can probably survive the nastiest of fights. This book is a great, albeit slightly voyeuristic read. There aren’t so much heroes and villains as much as flesh-and-blood people. There’s no black and white dichotomy -- just a thousand interesting shades of gray.

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