
Dua Lipa follows in her idol Madonna's footsteps to headline career defining gig at Wembley Stadium
Just five other female artists have headlined at Wembley
MADGE OF HONOUR Dua Lipa follows in her idol Madonna's footsteps to headline career defining gig at Wembley Stadium
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SINGER Dua Lipa has emulated her idol Madonna by playing Wembley Stadium at the age of 29.
The superstar last night kicked off the first of two sold-out gigs at the 90,000-capacity venue.
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Dua Lipa has emulated her idol Madonna by playing Wembley Stadium at the age of 29
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Madonna was also 29 when she headlined Wembley in 1987 as part of her Who's That Girl Tour
Credit: Redferns
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It caps a meteoric rise for Dua, whose first UK gig was at a 375-people capacity venue in Hackney nine years ago.
She is the same age as Madonna was when she headlined Wembley in 1987 as part of her Who's That Girl Tour.
Just five other women — Beyonce, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Adele and Pink — have headlined the venue.
Only Swift and Rihanna were younger than Dua, both performing there aged 28.
Adele was also 29, tying with Dua as the youngest-ever Brit.
An insider told The Sun: 'Playing Wembley is a dream come true for Dua and to sell out both nights feels incredible. She's not even at the peak yet and has so much more she wants to achieve.
'To be headlining stadiums with just three albums under her belt proves how influential her music has been. Her world tour has been a huge success. She's on cloud nine.'
Fans had been camping outside in North West London since Thursday to see her on the Radical Optimism Tour.
Last night, Dua opened with 2024 hit Training Season, and went on to perform her four UK No 1 singles New Rules, One Kiss, Cold Heart and Dance The Night.
Dua's family and actor fiancé Callum Turner were also there.
From cheeky topless snaps to Dua Lipa's beach break & luxury £3,600 a NIGHT villas - inside globe-trotting stars' super glam Easter getaways
She was 17 when she was discovered by former manager Ben Mawson — telling him she aspired to be in the same league as Madonna.
He said: 'There was something about the way she said it that made me believe her.
'It was about her personality, her charisma, her competitiveness and her drive — and that came across. Dua's got it all.'
Madonna appeared on a 2020 remix of her song Levitating.
Dua recalled: 'I was talking with my manager and I was like, 'You know who'd sound really good on this? Madonna.'
'And he said, 'We could send it to her and see if she likes it.' She responded and she was so down.
'I couldn't believe that she wanted to do this record with me. I'm such a fan. It was really exciting.'
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