Bosses and fans alike were fretting as news emerged she had not actually signed a contract to perform at Eurovision 2019.
Her attendance was shrouded in doubt after a Eurovision boss suggested she would not attend, unless the contract got signed.
Eurovision executive organiser Jon Ola Sand revealed on Monday: “The European Broadcasting Union has never confirmed Madonna as an act. If we do not have a signed contract she cannot perform on our stage.
“We have an artist who would like to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, and who we would love to welcome on that stage. But for that we need to have the framework secured.”
He added: “We are negotiating now, in the final stage of that – but if there is no signed contract this week, she will not be on the stage.”
Fans were gutted they would not see the star perform some of her much-loved songs in Tel Aviv.
However, the Vogue star has seemingly confirmed she will perform at the event after posting footage from rehearsals on her Instagram.
She has teased a boomerang video from rehearsals and also a photo of her wearing a Madame X eye patch.
Both posts were captioned: “Both posts were captioned: ‘Madame X is preparing something special for her fans….”
The star is set to perform hit Like a Prayer and her new song Future and give fans an epic performance.
She is set to earn one million dollars from the performance and has faced calls to boycott the show in protest against Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
However, she addressed the issue in a statement to Reuters: ‘I’ll never stop playing music to suit someone’s political agenda nor will I stop speaking out against violations of human rights wherever in the world they may be.
“My heart breaks every time I hear about the innocent lives that are lost in this region and the violence that is so often perpetuated to suit the political goals of people who benefit from this ancient conflict.
“I hope and pray that we will soon break free from this terrible cycle of destruction and create a new path towards peace.”
Her decision to perform was criticised by Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters in an open letter in The Guardian: “Some of my fellow musicians who have recently performed in Israel say they are doing it to build bridges and further the cause of peace. B**t.
“To perform in Israel is a lucrative gig but to do so serves to normalise the occupation, the apartheid, the ethnic cleansing, the incarceration of children, the slaughter of unarmed protesters… all that bad stuff.”
Meanwhile, someone who did actually pull out of the show was singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who was due to chair a five-person panel that decides on one-half of the votes given from the UK to the countries competing in the final, with the other half coming from the public vote.
News that the singer has to step down was announced by a Eurovision spokesperson, leaving a spot open on the UK jury.
The spokesperson confirmed: “Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, Sophie Ellis-Bextor will no longer be able to be part of the UK #Eurovision jury and will be replaced in due course.”
Fans can only presume Madonna has signed the contract and they will get to see the legend perform her old and new hits.
The Eurovision Song Contest airs on Saturday at 8pm.
