ICYMI: Madonna's son David Banda cleared up rumors about homelessness and food scarcity

ICYMI: David Banda, Madonna's 18-year-old son, recently spoke out to dispel rumors that he is "homeless" and struggling to afford food. These claims surfaced following an Instagram livestream in which Banda discussed his life after graduating from high school and shared candid insights into his living situation. During the livestream, Banda was asked by a fan whether he enjoyed living on his own.

In response, he revealed that he is living with his girlfriend. Banda described his experience of budgeting and food scarcity in a (perhaps) lighthearted manner, saying, "It’s lovely to experience it being 9 o’clock at night, me being hungry and realising that I don’t have enough money to get food. But we don’t have enough food in the house and [are] scavenging… it’s fun."

These comments sparked speculation among fans that Banda was facing severe financial hardship, with rumors quickly circulating that he was homeless and starving without any assistance from his famous mother. However, Banda has since addressed these concerns, setting the record straight. He emphasized that he is not living in destitution and has a strong support system from Madonna.

"To all of those concerned, my mother is very supportive of me. She has always been supportive of me," he clarified in an Instagram Story. "I am very happy in my life and I am not living out on the streets, starving! Please stop worrying, everything is good."

Madonna and her family on tour

In addition to clarifying his current circumstances, Banda noted that he is making his own way by working as a guitar teacher, as mentioned in his Instagram bio., in addition to touring with his mother (and who doesn't rescepr parents playing music with their kids?) This adds a layer of independence to his life as he navigates adulthood. A source close to the family also confirmed to People magazine that there is no cause for concern about Banda’s well-being, emphasizing the close bond he shares with his mother.

Madonna, known for her devotion to her children, has reportedly maintained a strong relationship with all of them, including Banda, who played a key role in her recent Celebration world tour. Madonna’s love and support for Banda were on full display last year when she posted a touching tribute to him on his birthday. Reflecting on their journey together, she shared that his name, David, means "speak the truth," and she couldn’t think of a more fitting name for someone with his artistic talents.

In her post, the "Queen of Pop" also reminisced about how she and her ex-husband, director Guy Ritchie, adopted Banda from the Home of Hope orphanage in Mchinji, Malawi, in 2005, when he was just a baby. As Banda embarks on his new chapter of life, his mother’s influence remains ever-present, both in his personal life and in her professional endeavors. Banda and his siblings contributed to the planning and execution of Madonna’s Celebration tour, showcasing the deep involvement of her family in her career (though a bacterial infection initially postponed the tour).

Other Madonna news

In related Madonna news, the long-anticipated biopic about the pop icon is back in development after hitting snags like rewrites. Madonna recently took to social media to announce that she has resumed work on the script, which will now be titled Who’s That Girl — a nod to her 1987 album of the same name. Although the film shares its title with her 1987 comedy, it is unrelated to the earlier film.

The biopic has had a tumultuous history, with Madonna initially set to direct it herself after voicing concerns about "misogynistic men" telling her story. The project was put on hold in January last year but now seems to be moving forward once again, reigniting interest in the pop star’s life story. She also recently had an older song hit the charts that was never there before.