David Banda, the 18-year-old son of pop icon Madonna, took to Instagram on Sunday to clarify a previous statement he made that stirred concern among his followers.
Addressing his fans, he wrote on his Instagram story, “To all of those concerned, My mother is very supportive of me. She has always been supportive of me. I am very happy in my life and I am not living on the streets starving! Please stop worrying. Everything is good.”
The young adult made headlines on Saturday by revealing on Instagram Live that he had been struggling since moving out of his mom’s luxurious Upper East Side apartment.
He described a moment of hunger and scavenging for food, which led some to worry about his well-being. “It’s lovely to experience it being nine o’clock at night, me being hungry and realizing that I don’t have enough money to get food and scavenging,” he said. “It’s fun to be young.”
Banda, who is currently living with his girlfriend, model Maria Atuesta, in the Bronx, clarified that he is content with his current situation. “I love it. I’m not on my own. … But I love it,” he shared.
Recently, both Banda and his sister Mercy James celebrated their high school graduations, a milestone that Madonna proudly acknowledged on Instagram. in a Mother’s Day post.
“They grow up too fast and spin out in different directions And yes I have a hard time letting go,” the 65-year-old Queen of Pop wrote. “David and Mercy graduated high school … Finally the realization that they were raising me and not the other way around.”
The celebrity mom, who celebrated Banda’s 18th birthday last September, reflected on their journey together in a birthday post.
“It is impossible to believe that almost 18 years have gone by since We met you in Mchinji at Home of Hope Oprhanage! You name means ‘Speak the truth!’ I couldn’t think of a better name for an artist!”
In addition to David and Mercy, Madonna is also mother to twins Stella, and Estere, and to two older children, Lourdes, 27, Rocco, 23.