Madonna's Rep Blasts Adoption Rumors

Madonna's rep has spoken out to quash rumors claiming the singer is set to adopt a three-year-old girl, Mercy James, from Malawi.

"Madonna has not made an attempt to adopt this baby earlier this year or now," the singer's longtime publicist Liz Rosenberg says in a statement.

Rosenberg also issued a statement to CelebTV, saying, "There is no truth to this rumor. It's an old one - wasn't true then or now. Madonna is starting her tour in a week."

Penstone Kilembe, Malawi's adoption minister, had said, "Madonna's representatives have been visiting the girl. The adoption is now advanced — all the government is waiting for is Madonna to forward the petition of adoption formalities.

"Then Mercy will be able to leave the country for a new life."

British newspaper The Sun claimed Wednesday the singer -- who turns 50 this week -- had been pursuing Mercy James for a year but stopped proceedings when her marriage to Guy Ritchie grew rocky.

One of the Material Girl hitmaker's pal told the tab that she "fell in love" with Mercy after meeting her in an orphanage last year. The paper also reports that Malawian officials approved the adoption last August, but stopped proceedings after her uncle, John Nglanade, 36, blocked the adoption.

"Twice I have told the adoption people that I do not want Mercy to go outside the country," added her grandmother, Lucy Chekechiwa.

Chekechiwa, who lives in the Zomba District of the country, calls her granddaughter "such a beautiful, happy child."

Madonna's adoption of David Banda, 2, also from Malawi, was approved by the country's courts in May after a two-year battle.