Dancers remember Madonna's tour that shook pop world | ABS-CBN
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Dancers remember Madonna's tour that shook pop world
Dancers remember Madonna's tour that shook pop world
Javier Tovar,
Agence France-Presse
Published Apr 11, 2017 07:29 PM PHT
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LOS ANGELES -- Music, dance, homosexuality, celebrity, masturbation, religion -- the explosive combination infused Madonna's "Blond Ambition" tour with a revolutionary feel in 1990.
LOS ANGELES -- Music, dance, homosexuality, celebrity, masturbation, religion -- the explosive combination infused Madonna's "Blond Ambition" tour with a revolutionary feel in 1990.
"Blond Ambition" was a tour like none other with a fast-paced mix of choreography, fashion and controversy that set a new bar for pop music tours.
"Blond Ambition" was a tour like none other with a fast-paced mix of choreography, fashion and controversy that set a new bar for pop music tours.
Provocatively incorporating Christian imagery, the tour was denounced by the Vatican as sinful.
Provocatively incorporating Christian imagery, the tour was denounced by the Vatican as sinful.
Dancers appeared to masturbate Madonna on stage as she sang of religious experience in "Like a Prayer," the title track of the album she was supporting, leading to threats to arrest her at her Toronto show.
Dancers appeared to masturbate Madonna on stage as she sang of religious experience in "Like a Prayer," the title track of the album she was supporting, leading to threats to arrest her at her Toronto show.
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Almost 30 years later, a documentary traces the trajectories of the seven dancers of the tour -- one of whom described their lives as chapters before, during and after Madonna.
Almost 30 years later, a documentary traces the trajectories of the seven dancers of the tour -- one of whom described their lives as chapters before, during and after Madonna.
Of the dancers, six of them were gay at a time when homosexuality was much more taboo and associated by many straight people with illness.
Of the dancers, six of them were gay at a time when homosexuality was much more taboo and associated by many straight people with illness.
Building on pop music trends in the 1980s, dancers took on roles nearly as central as the main performer.
Building on pop music trends in the 1980s, dancers took on roles nearly as central as the main performer.
"Blond Ambition" which traveled across North America, Europe and Japan and in 1991 became the basis for a documentary, "Truth or Dare," which was even more controversial.
"Blond Ambition" which traveled across North America, Europe and Japan and in 1991 became the basis for a documentary, "Truth or Dare," which was even more controversial.
In that film, the dancers showed the two sides of Madonna -- the "sex goddess" with her racy music and dancing, and the maternal figure who dispensed intimate advice to her "babies."
In that film, the dancers showed the two sides of Madonna -- the "sex goddess" with her racy music and dancing, and the maternal figure who dispensed intimate advice to her "babies."
"Who wouldn't let Madonna call you 'baby?'" asked Luis Camacho, one of the young dancers catapulted into the spotlight by the diva.
"Who wouldn't let Madonna call you 'baby?'" asked Luis Camacho, one of the young dancers catapulted into the spotlight by the diva.
"She was really a mentor," the now 48-year-old told AFP. "I really looked to her for not only guidance, but how to act in different situations, and I really matured, became a man."
"She was really a mentor," the now 48-year-old told AFP. "I really looked to her for not only guidance, but how to act in different situations, and I really matured, became a man."
The hidden lives of dancers
The hidden lives of dancers
"Truth or Dare" was far more than a film about a singer. In an unusual scene for a widely distributed film of the era, it showed two men kissing on the mouth joyfully.
"Truth or Dare" was far more than a film about a singer. In an unusual scene for a widely distributed film of the era, it showed two men kissing on the mouth joyfully.
But much was also hidden. Three of the dancers -- Salim Gauwloos, Carlton Wilborn and Gabriel Trupin -- were HIV positive and kept it secret at a time that the virus leading to AIDS was causing a public panic.
But much was also hidden. Three of the dancers -- Salim Gauwloos, Carlton Wilborn and Gabriel Trupin -- were HIV positive and kept it secret at a time that the virus leading to AIDS was causing a public panic.
"Strike a Pose," a Belgian-Dutch production by Ester Gould and Reijer Zwaan, catches up with the dancers and, in often heartbreaking passages, sees how their lives have changed.
"Strike a Pose," a Belgian-Dutch production by Ester Gould and Reijer Zwaan, catches up with the dancers and, in often heartbreaking passages, sees how their lives have changed.
The film, which premiered last year and recently came to the LGBT-oriented cable channel Logo, finds that some of them have struggled.
The film, which premiered last year and recently came to the LGBT-oriented cable channel Logo, finds that some of them have struggled.
Camacho, born in New York to Puerto Rican parents, wrestled with addiction to drugs and alcohol linked to fame.
Camacho, born in New York to Puerto Rican parents, wrestled with addiction to drugs and alcohol linked to fame.
Dominican American dancer Jose Gutierrez tries to keep a smile as his mother reproaches him, all but calling his life a failure.
Dominican American dancer Jose Gutierrez tries to keep a smile as his mother reproaches him, all but calling his life a failure.
Camacho said he last saw Madonna 10 or 15 years ago, but he is sure she would still recognize him. "I'm sure she'd be pleasant, say hi," he said.
Camacho said he last saw Madonna 10 or 15 years ago, but he is sure she would still recognize him. "I'm sure she'd be pleasant, say hi," he said.
Life after Madonna
Life after Madonna
After the success of the 57-date "Blond Ambition" tour, Camacho worked with Madonna for another two years before launching a side career that ended without success.
After the success of the 57-date "Blond Ambition" tour, Camacho worked with Madonna for another two years before launching a side career that ended without success.
"There's life after Madonna," he said with his contagious smile.
When Camacho and Gutierrez recorded an album together, Madonna contributed backing vocals -- a gesture he called generous.
"There's life after Madonna," he said with his contagious smile.
When Camacho and Gutierrez recorded an album together, Madonna contributed backing vocals -- a gesture he called generous.
But it was at that time that his life spiraled out of control with partying, drugs and alcohol -- and the dancers' relationships with Madonna cooled.
But it was at that time that his life spiraled out of control with partying, drugs and alcohol -- and the dancers' relationships with Madonna cooled.
Trupin, who was involved in the kiss on "Truth or Dare," sued Madonna for revealing his homosexuality.
Trupin, who was involved in the kiss on "Truth or Dare," sued Madonna for revealing his homosexuality.
"He wasn't ready," the mother of the dancer, who died in 1995 after a secret battle with AIDS, said in "Strike a Pose."
"He wasn't ready," the mother of the dancer, who died in 1995 after a secret battle with AIDS, said in "Strike a Pose."
Two other dancers, Oliver Crumes and Kevin Stea, sued to seek additional compensation for "Truth or Dare." All of the dancers' disputes were settled out of court.
Two other dancers, Oliver Crumes and Kevin Stea, sued to seek additional compensation for "Truth or Dare." All of the dancers' disputes were settled out of court.
The living dancers are now largely anonymous. Most of them teach dance courses including Camacho, who said he also had a "9-to-5 job" that he did not want to reveal.
The living dancers are now largely anonymous. Most of them teach dance courses including Camacho, who said he also had a "9-to-5 job" that he did not want to reveal.
Camacho has been to more recent Madonna concerts -- as a spectator. Madonna, 58, has maintained a grueling schedule with her latest "Rebel Heart" tour involving a whirling sequence of costumes and edgy choreography.
Camacho has been to more recent Madonna concerts -- as a spectator. Madonna, 58, has maintained a grueling schedule with her latest "Rebel Heart" tour involving a whirling sequence of costumes and edgy choreography.
Camacho said he can still remember the moves from the "Blond Ambition" tour. But he added with a laugh: "Don't ask me to do them."
Camacho said he can still remember the moves from the "Blond Ambition" tour. But he added with a laugh: "Don't ask me to do them."
© Agence France-Presse
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Benedix Ramos shoots his first international film in Taiwan: 'It was a great experience!'
Benedix Ramos shoots his first international film in Taiwan: 'It was a great experience!'
Rhea Manila Santos,
Push Team
Published Feb 22, 2025 11:02 PM PHT
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With his theater credits growing each year with productions like Bar Boys, Tabing Ilog, Ang Huling El Bimbo, and Next to Normal, Benedix Ramos said that performing live has really changed him as an artist after falling in love more with the craft.
With his theater credits growing each year with productions like Bar Boys, Tabing Ilog, Ang Huling El Bimbo, and Next to Normal, Benedix Ramos said that performing live has really changed him as an artist after falling in love more with the craft.
“The reason why I stayed in theater is because it is giving life to a person and it gives me so much life. That’s why I’m still here. The difference is that I now know that doing this makes me feel so alive even more. Everyday doing this, rehearsals, warm ups and even debriefings, it gives so much life to my life,” he told PUSH ABS-CBN.
“The reason why I stayed in theater is because it is giving life to a person and it gives me so much life. That’s why I’m still here. The difference is that I now know that doing this makes me feel so alive even more. Everyday doing this, rehearsals, warm ups and even debriefings, it gives so much life to my life,” he told PUSH ABS-CBN.
The Pinoy Big Brother housemate, who was part of PBB Kumunity Season 10 in 2022 where he was known as “Ang Streamboy Apo ng Pangasinan,” also has his sights set on a bigger stage this year. He just shot his first international film in Taiwan with actress Angel Aquino while in between rehearsals for the 9 Works Theatrical play Next to Normal.
The Pinoy Big Brother housemate, who was part of PBB Kumunity Season 10 in 2022 where he was known as “Ang Streamboy Apo ng Pangasinan,” also has his sights set on a bigger stage this year. He just shot his first international film in Taiwan with actress Angel Aquino while in between rehearsals for the 9 Works Theatrical play Next to Normal.
“Last January I was gone for a week to shoot a film with Ms. Angel Aquino and it’s something na masarap sa pakiramdam na meron kang ganun after theater, lalo na Next To Normal yung ginagawa namin so I feel like it helps my mental state kapag lumalabas ka dun sa space na yun. It was a great experience,” he said.
“Last January I was gone for a week to shoot a film with Ms. Angel Aquino and it’s something na masarap sa pakiramdam na meron kang ganun after theater, lalo na Next To Normal yung ginagawa namin so I feel like it helps my mental state kapag lumalabas ka dun sa space na yun. It was a great experience,” he said.
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The 30-year-old actor also shared what his experience was working with a foreign production crew.
The 30-year-old actor also shared what his experience was working with a foreign production crew.
“These are Taiwanese producers and award-winning creatives so it’s really such an honor to be working wiith them because they have a different discipline in film and yung pagka-Pinoy natin minsan, yung pagiging creative as a Pinoy, minsan pag nakakita rin tayo ng ibang creative, parang maiisip mo na uy, puwede rin pala yun. So we collaborated. The Filipino team and the Taiwanese team really collaborated on this film,” he added.
“These are Taiwanese producers and award-winning creatives so it’s really such an honor to be working wiith them because they have a different discipline in film and yung pagka-Pinoy natin minsan, yung pagiging creative as a Pinoy, minsan pag nakakita rin tayo ng ibang creative, parang maiisip mo na uy, puwede rin pala yun. So we collaborated. The Filipino team and the Taiwanese team really collaborated on this film,” he added.
In his latest play Next to Normal, themes of family and mental health are heavily discussed all throughout the musical. Benedix said he hopes that the conversation about mental health can start being normalized in Filipino families.
In his latest play Next to Normal, themes of family and mental health are heavily discussed all throughout the musical. Benedix said he hopes that the conversation about mental health can start being normalized in Filipino families.
“Hindi kasi normal sa pamilyang Pilipino na pag-usapan yung mental health, which is quite sad kasi we grew up in a household na minsan umaarte ka kapag umiiyak ka, umaarte ka kapag nagdadabog ka, nag-pa-panic ka or something like that, or na-a-anxiety ka. Pero this is the reason why this generation is really opening a door to that. Not just an idea, it’s an education. This generation actually is a great contribution for education, educating also our parents and grandparents, especially if they are open to accepting yung bagong konsepto ng mental health,” he explained.
“Hindi kasi normal sa pamilyang Pilipino na pag-usapan yung mental health, which is quite sad kasi we grew up in a household na minsan umaarte ka kapag umiiyak ka, umaarte ka kapag nagdadabog ka, nag-pa-panic ka or something like that, or na-a-anxiety ka. Pero this is the reason why this generation is really opening a door to that. Not just an idea, it’s an education. This generation actually is a great contribution for education, educating also our parents and grandparents, especially if they are open to accepting yung bagong konsepto ng mental health,” he explained.
Despite getting cast in more theater productions for the past few years, Benedix said in a previous interview that he is open to performing equally on all platforms if given the opportunity.
Despite getting cast in more theater productions for the past few years, Benedix said in a previous interview that he is open to performing equally on all platforms if given the opportunity.
“We all know naman na theater really takes so much of the time of your schedule or sa buong calendar mo blocked off yan for rehearsals and for shows and all that. There are so many sacrifices that you have to do when you’re doing your passion which is theater. And acting is really something that I’ve always loved doing even when I was still a child. Napupuslit puslit ko naman yung mga ibang acting gigs,” he told PUSH ABS-CBN.
“We all know naman na theater really takes so much of the time of your schedule or sa buong calendar mo blocked off yan for rehearsals and for shows and all that. There are so many sacrifices that you have to do when you’re doing your passion which is theater. And acting is really something that I’ve always loved doing even when I was still a child. Napupuslit puslit ko naman yung mga ibang acting gigs,” he told PUSH ABS-CBN.
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