Madonna held court at New York's Paris Theatre June 18, where she debuted the much-anticipated film version of her MDNA World Tour before a packed house of fellow stars and die-hard fans.
The Queen of Pop channeled Marlene Dietrich's iconic "Morocco" look in men's trousers, a tuxedo jacket and top hat. As Madonna later pointed out, it was an inspired choice (if one the star has previously embraced throughout her career) as Dietrich herself was present at the Paris Theatre's 1948 opening.
An unseasonably chilly rainstorm did little to deter the throng of die-hard fans, who huddled outside the theater for hours in advance of Madonna's arrival. Also in attendance at the premiere, which was hosted by the Cinema Society and Dolce & Gabbana, were Kelly Osbourne, Nicky Hilton, Martha Stewart, Andy Cohen and longtime Madonna pal Debi Mazar, among other celebs.
The film itself, which makes its EPIX debut on June 22, captures the dizzying excitement of the live show, from its violent opening to the much-discussed mashup of "Express Yourself" with Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," right down to Madonna's saucy "Like a Virgin/Love Spent" striptease. Although it was mostly filmed in Miami, "Madonna: The MDNA Tour" also features footage from performances in New York, Paris, London and Buenos Aires.
Following the screening, the Material Girl thanked fans with a self-moderated and refreshingly low-key Q&A session. Calling MDNA "the hardest tour I've ever done," Madonna said of the show's gravity-defying dance routines, "In my book, if you don't leave a pound of flesh on the stage every night, you did not do your job ... Go hard or go home."
Check out photos from "Madonna: The MDNA Tour" premiere below:
