Madonna's Son Embraces Humble Life in NYC

David Banda, the 18-year-old son of music icon Madonna, has traded the glamorous life for a more grounded existence in New York City. The aspiring musician, who is dating rising model Maria Atuesta, 21, has moved out of his mother's home and is currently residing in The Bronx.

Banda, who is making a name for himself as a guitarist, openly embraces the challenges of independence. In an interview with The Sun, he shared, "I love it. I'm not on my own, I've got my girlfriend. But I love it." He went on to describe a typical experience: "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. It's fun to be young."

To supplement his income, David offers online guitar lessons, which he advertises on his Instagram page, where he boasts nearly 52,000 followers. His musical journey has seen him accompanying his mother on her recent "Celebration Tour," where he showcased his guitar skills on stage while Madonna performed her iconic hits.

Madonna, who is worth an estimated $600 million, has openly expressed her pride in David's burgeoning musical talent. In 2022, she told Jimmy Fallon on "The Tonight Show," "You know he makes music now, too. He's going to end up being one of your guests." She also highlighted his sense of humor, athleticism, and fashion sense, even admitting that he looks better in her clothes than she does.

While navigating his own path, David has been a constant source of support for his mother, especially during a health crisis she faced last year. In an Instagram post, Madonna acknowledged her children, including David, for their unwavering support during her recovery from a near-fatal bacterial infection.

"On the day before our 80th show of the Celebration Tour I need to acknowledge my incredibly talented children who carried me through this Journey each of them bringing their own unique talent to the stage," she wrote. "They never stopped practicing… they never stopped cheering me on and supporting me."

Madonna, who is currently working on her biopic, concluded her message with a poignant reflection: "I think what my children learned the most this year of rehearsing and performing is that if you who to follow your dreams, you have to work hard for them."

In addition to David, Madonna has five other children: Lourdes Leon, 27 (from her relationship with Carlos Leon); Rocco, 23 (with Guy Ritchie); and adopted children Mercy, 18; and twins Stella and Estere, 11.

Despite his own experiences, David has confirmed that his mother is currently dating someone new, though he declined to reveal the identity of her mystery man. This news comes after Madonna's May breakup with boxer Josh Popper, following a year of dating.

David's own romantic life has blossomed with model Maria Atuesta, with the couple reportedly starting their relationship earlier this year. Sources close to the couple have described their relationship as "adorable" and "besotted," with David making a concerted effort to maintain the relationship despite his busy travel schedule with his mother.

While David may have chosen a path less glamorous than his famous mother, his dedication to his music, alongside his independent spirit and blossoming romance, signal a bright future for the young musician.