Madonna’s WORLD

Plastic surgery rumors, partying with Kanye West and a much younger boyfriend — an insider reveals what Madonna’s life is like behind closed doors

All eyes were on Madonna as she left Harry’s Bar in London on March 5 alongside her 21-yearold son, Rocco Ritchie. Dressed in a black top with matching shorts, studded boots and a fitted coat, the Material Girl looked trendy as ever in wraparound shades and a designer bag reading “Lovable Rebel.” Of course, the most striking thing about the 63-year-old singer’s appearance was her impossibly smooth and puffy face. “She’s looking more distorted every day,” wrote

one online commenter, speculating the star’s gone overboard with Botox and fillers. “What has she done to herself,” mused another.

The negative chatter doesn’t seem to bug Madonna. “She knows people talk about all the surgeries she’s had, but it doesn’t get her down,” spills a source. It’s a typical stance for the pop icon, who’s never been concerned with what people think of her — especially not at this stage in her life. “Her defense to anyone who wishes she’d age gracefully,” adds the source, “is that she’s in great shape

and is a devoted mother

with a hot younger boyfriend.” Madonna — who’s been dating Ahlamalik Williams, 27, since late 2019 — “feels it’s nobody’s business what choices she makes,” continues the source, noting that Williams has been “a real rock” for her. “In her eyes, Ahlamalik is intelligent, patient and wise beyond his years.”

IN THE GROOVE

Slowing down isn’t an option. According to the source, Madonna’s “throwing her heart and soul” into her upcoming biopic, which she’s set to direct. Top-tier actresses including Emmy winner Julia Garner and Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney and Alexa Demie are reportedly battling it out for the coveted lead — but a second source says casting has been a slow process: “Madonna has made it a lot more complicated than it has to be.”

When she’s not busy working, she’s hanging out with the likes of Julia Fox and Kanye West — in mid-January, the former couple was spotted with the Evita star at Los Angeles hotspot Delilah. (Fox, 32, and Madonna have been friends for years, and the NYC It Girl is in talks to play the music legend’s real-life bestie, actress Debi Mazar, in the biopic.)

The first source notes Madonna also spends a lot of time with her kids. “She adores them so much,” says the source of the star, who’s mom to Lourdes Leon, 25 (dad is ex Carlos Leon), Rocco (whom she shares with ex-husband Guy Ritchie) and her adopted children David Banda and Mercy James, both 16, and 9-year-old twins Stella and Estere Mwale. “Seeing them grow into mature, independent, successful characters fills her with so much pride.”

SOFTER SIDE

While Madonna has no plans to retire, the source says she has mellowed out a bit recently. “None of the ambition is gone, but there’s less of an edge to her,” explains the source, who says the singer’s learning to tune out the haters. “Madonna is a fighter, and she’s endured a lot, but she doesn’t sweat the small stuff anymore.” •