by: Samantha Hain

The newly infamous “Madonna episode” of the hit FOX show Glee, reminded me of why I love the Material Girl. You see, while the show’s stars belting out songs likeExpress Yourself and Borderline louder and shinier than Madge could herself hope for (don’t even get me started on how she forced out the high notes in Evita), I was struck with the realization that music is part of the “entertainment biz” for a reason…. That being entertainment! She might not croon like Celine or wave her hands up and down like Mariah but she has something that neither of threm do and that is the ability to captivate you completely with who she is and also the ability to exude exactly how she is feeling in any given decade.

After years of prefabricated boy bands and bubblegum teen sex queens, like Brit Brit, the latest breakthrough stars are taking cue from the woman who pissed off Pepsi with her Like a Prayer video.

Enter Lady Gaga, a wacked-out pop sensation, who throws all convention to the waste side and prides herself on shocking her audience with an offstage persona as weird and cool as  her onstage one. Clearly, she got the Madonna memo because even Beyonce, who favors being Bootylicious has now aligned herself with Gaga and is downright bizarre in their joint collaboration Telephone (if you haven’t seen the video, I suggest a few shots of vodka prior to watching…it might make for a better experience).

But girls aren’t the only ones listening to the Lucky Star lady. Up and coming singer JBrazil is making a name for himself with an irreverent sound that mixes genres and beats and he twists it up with an unapologetic attitude and geekalicious style. He loves his bowties and big, black Buddy Holly glasses And after years of Ricky Martin, sell-out alternative rockers, like Greenday and goodie-goodie Nick Lacheys, we are welcoming with open arms a guy true to his own identity.

Ok, so admit I bought the Glee “Power of Madonna” CD, but not because of the hokey cast (I do loveeeeeeeeeee Coach Sue Sylvester, played  brilliantly by Jane Lynch). Rather, I’m all about paying homage to the woman who inspired me to Get into the Groove.

Samantha Hain is a freelance journalist specializing in beauty and arts and

entertainment features. She worked as a contributing Reporter for FOXNews.com and has written for various national and local publications. In addition to writing, Samantha also works as a media expert and liaisons as a public relations and media grooming advisor. She holds a Bachelor of the Arts degree from Adelphi University in communications and journalism.