Madonna reportedly made her toyboy lover Jesus Luz stay at home on her recent visit to Malawi.
The 51-year-old singer banned the 23-year-old Brazilian model from accompanying her on the trip because she was reportedly worried their age gap would upset her African hosts.
But Jesus was devastated at the snub and had wanted to be seen by her side as she oversaw work on her academy for girls in the poverty-stricken country start.
A source told Britain’s Daily Star newspaper: 'Their difference in age could have embarrased some people there.'
Jesus – who has been dating the mother-of-four since last year – has been desperate for their relationship to be "taken seriously" and last week introduced the pop star to his mother.
Devoted Madonna flew out to Brazil to meet Jesus Luz’s 36-year-old mother Cristiane Regina da Silva at a hotel where the two women reportedly sat chatting for several hours.
After the successful meeting, the lovebirds - who have since been spotted at a string of top restaurants in Rio de Janiero – are now expected to get engaged.
The couple had reportedly rowed after Madonna - who has children Lourdes, 12, Rocco, nine, and adopted David and Mercy, both four - said she would rather be "run over by a train" than marry again following her split from movie director Guy Ritchie.
But according to the twice-married singer's biographer Randy Taraborrelli, she has already had a change of heart.
He said: "Madonna is telling close friends and family that, 'I definitely see myself marrying him. It's on the table.’ '
Jay-Z is co-producing a Broadway musical about a Nigerian musician and political activist.
The 39-year-old rapper is producing 'Fela!’ - a play based on the life of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, who is credited as one of the founders of afrobeat and who died in 1997 – with Hollywood couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.
Jay-Z – whose artistic involvement is thought to be minimal given that the show is already in previews – has not publicly revealed how much money he has invested in the production.
Jay-Z, Will and Jada will be making an appearance on the red carpet when the show opens at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, in New York, next Monday (23.11.09).
'Fela!’ is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winning star Bill T. Jones, and music for the show has been arranged by the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra
Janet Jackson has confirmed she has split from boyfriend Jermaine Dupri.
The singer – who was first rumoured to have separated from the music executive in July – admitted she didn’t keep in touch with any of her ex-lovers apart from Jermaine during a US radio interview.
Speaking on Atlanta's 'Bert Show’, Janet said: 'I'm not the type of girl that stays in touch with your ex like that. But Jermaine is one of my best friends. I love him to death. We're still connected. We're still good friends. We still talk."
Janet, 43, was reported to have ended her seven-year relationship with Jermaine, 37, in the summer in the wake of her pop superstar brother Michael’s shock death in June.
At the time, it was claimed the 'All For You’ singer decided to call time on the romance because she felt suffocated by her lover.
A mutual friend of the pair said: "You shouldn't mix business with pleasure. Janet felt their lives were too crossed and they should have kept things separate."
Another source said: "They've been moving in different directions for a while now."
Jermaine produced several tracks on the 43-year-old star's last two albums - '20 Y.O.', released in 2006, and 2008's 'Discipline' - and she felt he was becoming too involved in all aspects of her life.
