Madonna: A Ghost(writer)?

Now this is a juicy piece of gossip!

Page Six reports that Madonna "ghost-wrote parts" of brother Christopher Ciccone's tell-all book about his sister - which is why there's "nothing too devastating in Chris' book," claims their source.

Also, the insider says Madonna "flirted with and manipulated" Alex Rodriguez to help increase ticket sales for her latest tour, adding: "She's ordered three A-Rod Yankee jerseys she'll wear in the finale of her upcoming shows." Scandalous! But hey, it's Madonna, so who knows!

And speaking of ghosts, check out these above pix of the Material Girl in NYC on Friday with daughter Lourdes... uh, what's going on with her face?

We don't always mind the no makeup look but something seems, I dunno, off!