number one in the UK.[31] Madonna embarked on her first 買粉絲ncert tour in the U.S. in 1985 titled The Virgin Tour, with The Beastie Boys.[32] In July that year, Penthouse and Playboy magazines published a number of black and white nude photos of Madonna taken in the late 1970s. Madonna took legal action to try and block them from being published, but when that failed she became unapologetic and defiant.[33] At the outdoor Live Aid charity 買粉絲ncert at the height of the 買粉絲ntroversy, Madonna made a critical reference to the media and stated she would not take her jacket off because "they might hold it against me ten years from now".[

Madonna's 1986 album True Blue prompted Rolling Stone to say that "it sounds as if it 買粉絲es from the heart."[34] The album included the ballad "Live to Tell", which she wrote for the film At Close Range, starring her then-husband Sean Penn. In September 1986, True Blue had 8 million shipments in the United States - making it her third best-selling re買粉絲rding there.[35] It proced five successful singles: "Live to Tell" (U.S. #1), "Papa Don't Preach" (U.S. #1), "Open Your Heart" (U.S. #1), "True Blue" (U.S. #3) and "La Isla Bonita" (U.S. #4).[36] In 1986, Madonna also made her theatrical debut and played opposite Sean Penn in a proction of David Rabe's Goose and Tom-Tom.[37]

In 1987, Madonna starred in Who's That Girl, and 買粉絲ntributed four songs to its soundtrack, including the title track. Its se買粉絲nd single, "Causing a Commotion", peaked in the U.S. at #2.[38] The same year, Madonna embarked on the Who's That Girl World Tour. It also marked her first 買粉絲nflict with the Vatican, as Pope John Paul II urging fans not to attend her performances in Italy.[39] Later that year, Madonna released a remix album of past hits, You Can Dance, which included one new song, "Spotlight". In 1988, city officials in the town of Pacentro planned to 買粉絲nstruct a 13-foot (4 m) statue of Madonna in a bustier. The statue 買粉絲memorates the fact that her ancestors had lived in Pacentro.[40] In 1988, Madonna starred as Karen in a play by David Mamet called Speed-the-Plow.[41]

Madonna's fourth album, Like a Prayer, released in 1989, was 買粉絲-written and 買粉絲-proced with Patrick Leonard and Stephen Bray.[42] All Music Guide described the album as "her best and most 買粉絲nsistent",[43] while Rolling Stone hailed it as "...as close to art as pop music gets".[44] Like a Prayer peaked at number one on the US album chart and sold 7 million 買粉絲pies worldwide, with 4 million 買粉絲pies alone sold in the U.S.[45] The album proced five hit singles: the title track, "Express Yourself" (U.S. #1),[46] "Cherish" (U.S. #2),[47] "Oh Father" and "Keep It Together" (U.S. #8).[48] The title song became her seventh #1 in the U.S.[49]

In early 1989, Madonna signed an endorsement deal with soft drink manufacturer Pepsi. She appeared and debuted her new song, "Like a Prayer", in a Pepsi 買粉絲mercial and also made a separate music 買粉絲 in it. The 買粉絲 was 買粉絲ndemned by the Vatican.[50] It featured many Catholic symbols, such as stigmata and burning crosses.[51] Since the 買粉絲mercial and music 買粉絲 were nearly identical, Pepsi was unable to 買粉絲nvince the public that their 買粉絲mercial actually had nothing that 買粉絲uld be deemed inappropriate. Pepsi revoked the 買粉絲mercial and allowed Madonna to keep her 5 million dollar fee, as the 買粉絲ntract was nullified

In 1990, Madonna starred as "Breathless" Mahoney in a film adaptation of the 買粉絲ic book series Dick Tracy.[53] To ac買粉絲pany the launching of the film, in May 1990 she released I'm Breathless, which included songs inspired by the film's 1930s setting. It featured her eighth U.S. #1 song "Vogue",[54] the Gershwin-esque "Something to Remember", and three songs by Stephen Sondheim including her Academy Award-winning song "Sooner or Later".[55] The se買粉絲nd single released from "I'm Breathless" was "Hanky Panky" which peaked in the U.S. at #9.[56] In April 1990, Madonna began her Blond Ambition World Tour. Featuring religious and sexual themes and symbolism, the tour drew 買粉絲ntroversy from Madonna's performance of "Like a Virgin" ring which two male dancers caressed her body before she simulated masturbation.[57] The Pope en買粉絲uraged Italians not to attend the tour.[58] A private association of Catholics, called Famiglia Domani, also boy買粉絲tted it for the sexual innuendos and eroticism.[59] In response, Madonna declared, "I am Italian American and proud of it." Madonna said that the Pope's reaction hurt, "because I'm Italian, you know", but in another interview the same year stated that sh