Madonna has been criticized after it was reported that she plans to throw her 66th birthday party in Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Italy.
The "Material Girl" singer hired the Large Theatre, the 2,200-year-old amphitheater that sits among the ancient ruins, for August 16, per The Times of London. The publication reported that an American events company booked the site for €30,000 ($32,750).
While Carmine Lo Sapio, mayor of Pompeii, was quoted by La Repubblica saying: "We are ready to welcome the singer," heritage experts have criticized the theatre being used for such an event, especially for such a low cost.
Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Madonna and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii for comment on Monday.
"Why does Madonna need to go to Pompeii? Is there not a more beautiful beach she could use?" said Michele Campisi, general secretary of the Italia Nostra heritage association. "€30,000 is absurd. It's like giving Pompeii away."
According to The Times, Rosanna Carrieri, president of the cultural pressure group Mi Riconosci, said the theater has previously been used for events such as fashion shows. However, she disagrees with historical locations being used as a "scenic backdrop" for "exclusive" gatherings.
The Queen of Pop is anticipated to arrive at the Marina di Stabia port, close to Castellammare. She will then be driven for 15 minutes to Pompeii, where she will change into an outfit that Italian fashion designer Francesco Scognamiglio created especially for the event. An estimated 500 A-list guests are anticipated to attend.
The Times also reported that before the exclusive event, Madonna will stop in Naples and Capri while aboard a private yacht.
This wouldn't be the first time Madonna has held her lavish birthday celebrations in Italy, as she previously hosted parties in Noto in Sicily and Borgo Egnazia, the Puglia resort that previously welcomed G7 leaders.
Madonna is of Italian descent on her father's side, with her grandparents having emigrated to the United States from Pacentro, in Abruzzo.
The performer recently turned heads with her 11-year-old twins Stella and Estere at the New York City premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine on July 22.
Madonna's iconic track "Like a Prayer" lends a remixed beat to a key scene in the film. In an interview on July 19, the movie's stars, Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds, and director Shawn Levy revealed how they pitched the song's inclusion to the singer.
"It did involve a personal visit to Madonna, where we showed Madonna the sequence where 'Like a Prayer' would be used," Levy explained. "Also, let's preface it with the fact that they don't license—that Madonna doesn't just license the song, particularly that song. It was a big deal to ask for it and certainly a bigger deal to use it. We went over and met with her and sort of showed her how it was being used, and where, and why."
Madonna also pitched in with some savvy advice. Reynolds shared how she pinpointed exactly what the scene needed: "She watched it, and I'm not kidding, [she said], 'You need to do this, this, and this.' And damn it, if she wasn't like, spot on. We literally went into a new recording session within 48 hours to do this note."
Levy added: "It made the sequence better."
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