In The news
■ Taylor Swift and her boyfriend of more than six years, British actor Joe Alwyn, have split, multiple news outlets reported last week.The couple met at the 2016 Met Gala and were extremely private about their relationship, which appeared to be Alywn’s preference. A People source said the breakup was driven by the reserved Alwyn, 32, struggling “with Taylor’s level of fame,” especially after the end of the pandemic enabled her to tour again. Swift, 33, is known for drawing musical inspiration from breakups— as in the smash “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”—and Alwyn joins a group of famous exes that includes singers Joe Jonas, Harry Styles, and John Mayer and actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Hiddleston. Swift recently removed the love song “Invisible String” from her blockbuster tour’s setlist and added a song about searching for “the one.”
■ Madonna is determined to “look more like herself again” after being mocked for her shockingly transformed face at February’s Grammy Awards, the Daily Mail (U.K.) reported last week.The ridicule of her swollen, wrinkle-free visage reportedly “deeply affected” Madonna, 64, who wants to reclaim a more natural look ahead of an 80-show tour that starts in July. In response to the criticism of her appearance, she said, “Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in.”
■ Kanye “Ye” West’s unaccredited private Christian school did not meet basic state education standards and subjected students to bizarre rules, including that they eat sushi for lunch every day, a lawsuit from two former teachers alleged last week.The teachers say they were fired from Donda Academy, based in Simi Valley, Calif., for reporting possible labor violations.The suit claims the pre-K–to-12 school, founded last year, has no classes on the second floor (because Ye is afraid of stairs) or janitorial services, and lacks tables and chairs, forcing students to eat their sushi lunches on the ground. Students weren’t allowed to go outside for recess or wear anything but blackYedesigned clothing. “It’s like a mental hospital being run by the patients,” said one plaintiff, teacher Chekarey Byers.