MADONNA - CICCONE: 'I WAS BLACKMAILED' BY MADONNA INTO FOLLOWING KABBALAH

CICCONE: 'I WAS BLACKMAILED' BY MADONNA INTO FOLLOWING KABBALAH

MADONNA's estranged brother CHRISTOPHER CICCONE revealed he was blackmailed by the star into following her mystical religion Kabbalah on a U.S. TV show on Monday morning (14Jul08).
Ciccone appeared on chat show Good Morning America to discuss his forthcoming tell-all tome, Life With My Sister Madonna - where he allegedly lifts the lid on secrets of the star's celebrity pals, romantic trysts and controversial religious practices.
And though he admits benefiting from his experience with Kabbalah, Ciccone insists his introduction to its practices was made as part of a financial deal between himself and his sister.
He recalls, "I did (follow Kabbalah) for quite some time, although I was blackmailed into it. I finished a house for Madonna, and she owed me a final payment and she said, 'I'll only pay you your final payment if you come to a Kabbalah class.' I was like, 'If this is what it takes to get paid, fine, I'll go.'
"And as it turns out, it was a perfect time for me to take another look at myself at the time. It was about 2001. And while I resented her for forcing me into it, I actually got some good stuff from it."
But Ciccone insists his own benefits from the mystical religion contradict its primarily negative effects for his superstar sister.
He says, "I think Kabbalah in many ways has validated some of her bad behaviour. Now it's her way or no one's way because she's got God on her side now."