Are Madonna & Carlos Leon fighting over 13-year-old Lourdes’ career?

33907, NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Monday September 7, 2009. Madonna's ex husband Carlos Leon was spotted out walking in Soho with his daughter Lourdes and his girlfriend. Photograph: PacificCoastNews.com

This interesting little story comes from Star Magazine, via Jezebel. Apparently, Carlos Leon isn’t very happy with how grown-up and busy and teenage-y his daughter Lourdes has become of late. Now, Carlos and Madonna have maintained what seems like a pretty good relationship over the years, and it seems like Madonna is very conscious to encourage Lola’s relationship with Carlos, and Carlos and Lola do seem tight. No opinion of Carlos has grown over the years – I think he’s probably a really cool guy, and he seems like a loving father and a decent businessman and artist – he owns and operates a successful New York gym and has booked some solid acting gigs on the side (he’s been wonderful on his multiple Law & Order appearances!). Anyway, Star Magazine claims that Madonna and Carlos’ friendship has been strained lately because Lola has been growing up and she spends her time doing very adult things, like wearing pot-accented fashion, and designing her own juniors line. And dating. She’s 13 years old, Carlos. And she has Madonna for a mother. It’s only going to get worse!

Madonna is fighting with Carlos Leon. She is “paving the way” for Lourdes’ showbiz career, which is “infuriating” him. He’s against her being in entertainment until she’s older, and hates that she mostly hangs out with Madonna’s “older, fashion friends.” Read: Gay.

Also, Madonna lets Lola go on dates — at the tender age of 13 — and Carlos doesn’t think she should be in a relationship with a boy. We find it hard to believe that Madge would let Lourdes go on a date when none of the kids are allowed to have sugar or watch TV.

[From Star via Jezebel]

Now… obviously, it’s going to be difficult for any father when his little girl starts dating. Do I think Lola should be dating at 13 years old? No. But I agree with Jezebel, it’s probably not a date-date thing. Lola is probably going out with groups and maybe there are some date-like activities (first kiss!), but it’s not a date-date. As far as Carlos’ concerns about Lola’s career… yes, I agree. She’s 13. She should not be in charge of the Material Girl line for Macy’s and cosigning Raccoon McPantless as the panda-face of a juniors line. It’s too much, too soon. Although I also believe that Madge is probably exhausted. Wouldn’t you be exhausted around Lola? I get exhausted just reading her blog posts – and yes, she blogs professionally now, for Macy’s. Gawd. Imagine her in five years. Seriously. Madonna is probably pulling out her hair. Carlos too.

PARIS - AUGUST 01: Lourdes Ciccone is sighted in Paris on August 1, 2010 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

44895, NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Tuesday September 14 2010. Lourdes Leon steps out in a pair of stripey tights in New York City. Earlier this month, the 13-year-old daughter of Madonna and Carlos Leon shot scenes in London for her mother's latest movie W.E. . Photograph: PacificCoastNews.com

33907, NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Monday September 7, 2009. Madonna's ex husband Carlos Leon was spotted out walking in Soho with his daughter Lourdes and his girlfriend. Photograph: PacificCoastNews.com

Madonna and daughter Lourdes Leon arrive at the Bent Learning benefit in NYC, NY on April 28, 2010. Fame Pictures, Inc

The Nine premieres in NYC, NY at The Ziegfeld Theater, on December 15, 2009. Pictured: Madonna, Lourdes Leon Fame Pictures, Inc

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58 Responses to “Are Madonna & Carlos Leon fighting over 13-year-old Lourdes’ career?”

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  1. Xx says:

    I sincerely hope this child gets to be just that, a child, for as long as possible so as to avoid a Lohan/Spears type of future.

  2. Sumodo1 says:

    Good for Carlos. Madge will lose this round.

  3. Natalie says:

    Lola is so gorgeous, she’s gonna be a major heartbreaker. No wonder daddy’s upset…

  4. TG says:

    I always assumed Madge picked a fine physical specimen to be the baby daddy (like what Halle Berry seemed to have done, though who can blame her) and that she paid him generously to sort of disappear. Guess I was wrong. I have seen photos of them together over time but just assumed that whenever the daughter is in town than she see’s her father but that he has no say in how they are being raised or even where.

  5. Jezi says:

    I have to side with dad on this one. This is the problem with kids that grow up with famous parents, they are thrusted into the limelight way too early and they grow up way too soon. Dating at 13, I agree, would not be cool with me. My 13 year old creating a mini mogul empire, not cool either. She should be doing normal 13 year old things. She’s already rich, doing business deals can wait until she’s in her 20’s.

  6. California Surfer says:

    Whoa, that chick in the black pants and blue shirt needs to eat some food asap!

  7. Fluffy Kitten Tail says:

    Isn’t that hat a little hot for summer wear? Carlos is in a tank top, so a fur lined hat seems odd to me.

  8. winterwilde says:

    I agree with Carlos on this one, good God you only get to be a young innocent child ONCE in life. Why does a 13 yr old need to be running ANY business and dealing with that stressful crap? She should be giggling with girlfriends and studying for tests. Geez.

  9. Bodhi says:

    Wow, that girl is GORGEOUS! I’m on Dad’s side too, she is Madge’s daughter, but she is still 13! I have a hard time buying that she is actually in charge of the clothing line…

    Random: I had no idea that Carlos was in Big Lebowski! (Thank you IMDB)

  10. julbug says:

    She’s not allowed to watch TV but can go out on dates?

    Something real hot about him.

  11. di butler says:

    I guess Madge is really glad Dennis Rodman turned her down when she was looking for a daddy donor back in the day, huh? Carlos makes better looking babies and doesn’t appear as crazy as either Dennis or Madonna.

  12. Snarf says:

    At 13, date means someting entirely different than it does say at 17.

  13. Samigirl says:

    If michael k from dlisted were reading (or writing) this, I would fully expect him to point out Lourdes’ eyebrows. Omigoodness!
    Anywho, like you pointed out, Kaiser, Madonna is the mom…I don’t know what he expects.

  14. Mistral says:

    She’s a cute kid. Hope she doesn’t get sucked into the destructive Hollywood thing.

  15. wonderful says:

    This is the same mother who didn’t do anything about her young daughter’s serious unibrow, presumably until she was old enough to notice her own appearance. I think (slash hope) she will be fine.

  16. happymom says:

    I find it so strange that Madonna is letting her do this stuff after seeming to be such a strict parent. But I’m guessing that her daughter is just as strong willed as she ever was-and she’s caving in. I just don’t get why she’d let her get out into the limelight rather than trying to protect her for a while longer. She’s only 13!

  17. GatsbyGal says:

    Her eyebrows bother me. They’re too long. Not too thick, they’re a pretty thickness, just too long.

    Also, yeah 13 is too young for a date. And uh, I hate to break it to you, but there are LOTS of 13 year olds who go on date-dates and kiss and make out and have sex and stuff. Not that she’s doing any of that, of course, it’s just….she’s Madonna’s daughter, she’s not going to be an angel.

  18. lucy2 says:

    I doubt she’s letting her actually date, she seems way too strict for that.
    But I agree that 13 is too young to be running a real business (though I too doubt she actually does much) – it would be fun to have occasional input, but nothing that takes away from school and other kid activities, because you don’t get those years back.
    Lourdes really looks like her dad in some of those photos.

  19. Dawn says:

    I didn’t look like that 13 years old. I’m going to side with Carlos on this one. Let a kid be a kid as long as you can.

  20. Karen says:

    I agree with #12 and #13 – tabloids aren’t in the business of reporting “Carlos and Madge get along swimmingly as they raise their angelic bookwarm 13 yr old daughter”. They sell magazines based on drama.

    I don’t buy that Carlos and Madge are fighting about Lourdes. I’m pretty sure they will have differing opinions at some point but I’m not buying this story right now. To my understanding, only old folks (I’m 37) like me go on “date-dates”. The younger set go out as a group. And yes, I think Lourdes is absolutely stunning and her blog posts are hilarious. She sounds like a normal teenaged girl!

  21. Daisy says:

    Mama mia! Madonna seems like a pretty strict, demanding discipline, mother. I’m sure Lola is not getting away with much if anything under her watch. She’s lucky to have such a protective dad, too. The child was born under a lucky star.

  22. Whatever says:

    I’m Team Dad on this one. She does seem to be acting much older than her age. There is plenty of time for all that later.

  23. Rosanna says:

    Hey she FINALLY got her eyebrows plucked!!! I can’t believe it LOL

  24. cutelittlehappything says:

    Okay, the headline is disturbing enough. Thirteen year olds shouldn’t even HAVE careers. Come on now.

  25. Diva says:

    Isn’t Kabbalah an offshoot of Judaism? And don’t Jewish boys and girls have their bats and bars at 13, which is supposed to symbolize leaving childhood or something similar? So, according to Madonna’s religion, everything changed when Lourdes turned 13 and now she’s like a lil grown-up, right?

    That aside, holy CATS Madonna’s genes are strong!

  26. sickofit says:

    14 in october but nevertheless: its so freaking young, she is not allowed to drive a car and drink alcohol but be in the public spot like that and being involved in business? I hope she will turn out fine with 22 though…

  27. Churchston Winsthill says:

    Treating children as “lil’ grown-ups” nearly always leads to issues later. This child is going to be absolutely insufferable in a few years.

  28. jc126 says:

    Maybe her role in the business is exaggerated? I’m of two minds on this one. I have a teenage niece who would LOVE to be able to design her own clothes line; she makes clothes herself. Always been a real fashion plate, since she was a toddler. So on the one hand, maybe Madonna sees this as not Lourdes’ career, but as encouraging her daughter in her favorite hobby and passion? On the other hand, I don’t think 13 year olds should grow up too fast, so if true, maybe Carlos is right.
    Also, I think Carlos’ genes are showing up more and more in Lourdes’ features these days.

  29. jemshoes says:

    Madonna losing her own mother at such an early age makes me think she is parenting Lola the way she imagines a good mother would. I honestly think Madonna will always try to be the best mother she possibly can be to all her children. But is Lola as strong-willed as her mother? Likely.

  30. albeli says:

    She needs to slow down and actually enjoy her childhood.

  31. bubbles says:

    oh, I’m gonna get it from the haters for this one, but … she is at best an average looking child with a lot of make up on. not a beauty.

  32. Eleonor says:

    First thing to say: every dad has this jelous attitude to his daughter, it’s normal, they don’t want to see your first kiss, or your first evening out with friends, because you’re “daddy’s little girl”, and I find this quite sweet, and normal. Thank God.
    But Carlos on the career is right: Lola shouldn’t work so much, and I have to admit I appreciate this, at least he’s trying to protect her, but if she’s strong willed as her mother I don’t think he has any chance to succeed.

  33. TG says:

    @bubbles – I agree with you. She looks like she could almost be a beauty but she looks too much like her mom so just average looking with beautiful dark hair and nice skin coloring.

  34. jm says:

    Sorry – call me mean – but I SO hope Lourdes gives Madonna a little hell growing up. She deserves it.

  35. Anastasia says:

    She’s going to be an absolutely gorgeous woman. Stunning. You can see both Madonna and Carlos in her.

    I’ve found it interesting to watch her grow up since my own daughter was two when Lola was born.

    And I agree with Carlos, let them be kids while they’re kids. Growing up happens fast enough as it is! Why rush things?

  36. GatsbyGal says:

    @Bubbles – I agree, too. When she’s like 30/35, she’ll be gorgeous. But right now, she’s plain and kinda chin-less. If I saw her on the street, she’d just be another teenage girl.

  37. Kate says:

    This is such baloney. Carlos was promoting Lola’s line, he gave interviews supporting what she was doing and he said Madonna was the strict parent who does the disciplining while he can’t say no to Lola. He supported Lola’s decision to attend a performing arts school. Madonna didn’t let Lola pluck her eyebrows until she turned 12 and she doesn’t let Lola dye her hair until she turns 14. Her kids don’t even watch TV. As liberal and open minded Madonna may be, she’s not a pushover and “hands off” parent when it comes to her kids.

  38. huh?! says:

    13 yrs old?! CAREER?!

  39. tripmom says:

    What’s with the attacks on the eyebrows? Average looking at best? Seriously, you guys are criticizing a 13 year old girl’s looks? What did you all look like when you were 13? This is precisely why it is NOT ok to thrust such a young person into the spotlight. It makes people like you think it’s alright to anonymously tear them apart online and forget that they’re CHILDREN.

  40. original kate says:

    lourdes is absolutely gorgeous. but at 13 her only career should be school.

  41. Kate says:

    Here’s Carlos showing up to SUPPORT his daughter’s fashion line

    http://twitpic.com/2r1202

    He’s talked about Madonna and Lola many times and has always said positive things about them and how great he gets along with Madonna. The tabloids are just looking for a negative story that isn’t there.

  42. birdgherl says:

    Predict first rehab by age 17.

  43. Catherine says:

    She is a very pretty young lady. I wish her the best.

  44. Cherry says:

    He looks like Prince to me.

  45. lara says:

    most kids are already experimenting with drugs and sex at 13 or earlier
    it’s not just the kids of the rich & famous
    open your eyes
    (specially those of you who think you know what your kid[s] is[are] doing)

  46. CB Rawks says:

    Gosh, she is a beautiful kid! She could legitimately be a model, not even due to nepotism.

  47. he should absolutely be concerned, it’s alarming that she’s not concerned

  48. nnn says:

    Not only is she pretty but she is a perfect trilingual raised from the start in those three languages with no accent whatsoever. She speaks english, spanish and french like natives.

    With those skills she should have embraced another career later. I remembered years ago when she was about 8/9 years old, how proudly Madonna was, saying her daughter was a very gifted girl at school.

    Lourdes also sounds very mature for her-r age. At least everytimes I heard her gives her impressions or thoughts in french i was like wow, is she only 8 years old.

    So i am not surprised by all of this.

  49. Bina says:

    Does anyone else find it weird that she’s named after the character in Madonna’s sex book?

  50. Missfit says:

    As cute as she is, she shouldn’t be dressing that way for 13 anyhow…the skirts are too short and ripped tights, like really? I think some of that is more appropriate for much older teens. I hope she doesn’t start dressing like that Taylor girl… and no she shouldn’t have that pot band on her wrist either. Other than that, she has some great spunky style, she just needs to wear full tights and longer stuff as before and she IS very beautiful, no doubt about that. I remember playing with barbies still at 13,lol.

  51. SammyHammy says:

    “most kids are already experimenting with drugs and sex at 13 or earlier”

    Really? Please cite your sources. I find that to be over the top hyperbole.

    Anyway, it’s obvious that Madge is trying to re-live her life through her daughter. I don’t think she “let’s” her do stuff so much as pushes her to do stuff. Couple more years…we’re going to see a major, major rebellion.

  52. Tess says:

    More and more, I’m noticing that celeb parents are branding their offspring.

    Thus we have a creepy parade of kids with very definite, bankable images from an early age.

    Lourdes is the arty, sex on wheels brand.
    Shiloh is the tomboy, sexually ambiguous brand. And so on.

  53. Sandy says:

    Does anyone think she actually does anything for that line but the blog?

  54. waldemar says:

    I don’t now about the character, but the official story is that Lourdes was named like that, because Madonna’s mother, a catholic, wanted to go to Lourdes when she got cancer, but it never happend.

    I always thought Lourdes was named like that because the Mary mother of God appeared there. Madonna – Lourdes. It pissed of the Vatican, whatever the reason.

    To attack an almost 14 year old on her looks is sad. It seems that some on here still haven’t left high school.

    I doubt Madonna is pushing Lourdes, she wants it all on her own.

  55. lilred says:

    She has her mothers ORIGINAL face.

  56. Bina says:

    Waldemar: the character in the book is called “lola” and there are weird letters from “lola” interspersed between the sex-with-Vanilla-Ice photos (BLECH).

  57. artbitch says:

    She should be in school, jeez.

  58. trish says:

    It is either some one banging on about the lack of education many kids suffer from or not enough children learning life skills. She is a teenager and she is covered by her parents, she is not left to it. Do not keep bashing anyone who is the public eye. What ever they do, they get a lashing from someone. She is totally fortunate to have both parents there for her and who watch over her, not many children get much attention at all from their parents.