Luigi Mangione says Taylor Swift and Charli XCX are helping him get through his days in prison — until another inmate forced a music switch.
Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is spending his time behind bars with a little help from two surprising artists — Taylor Swift and Charli XCX.
In a handwritten fan letter verified by TMZ, Mangione opened up about his life inside Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. He revealed that listening to Swift and Charli’s music on his prison tablet has been helping him cope while awaiting trial. What’s even more interesting? He said he’d never listened to either artist before his arrest.
Mangione explained that after a fake list of his “favorite musicians” went viral online, he decided to give both pop stars a chance — and quickly got hooked. He even shared that Taylor Swift’s song “cardigan” became part of his daily routine, playing it during his walks around the cellblock.
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But according to Mangione, not everyone in the facility approved of his playlist. Another inmate, known as “King,” apparently overheard the song and roasted him for it. Mangione said King wasn’t a fan of his soft pop choices and promptly swapped his playlist — replacing Swift and Charli XCX with Chicago rapper Lil Durk.
❕New/old letter!
— (commentary) The Luigi Times (@TheLuigiTimes) October 28, 2025
LM lists “Cardigan”, by Taylor Swift, as one of the things he’s grateful for.
“I downloaded a bunch of Taylor Swift and Charli XCX. I’ve never really listened to either of them, but some phony list of my favorite music circulated on social media. Rather than… pic.twitter.com/9F7LD8rraQ
The letter also touched on how Mangione is trying to stay positive behind bars. He wrote that he’s grateful for small comforts, like the food he’s served and the encouraging fan letters he’s received. His tone suggested he’s trying to keep a level head despite the serious legal trouble he’s in.
Mangione, 26, is charged by both state and federal authorities with fatally shooting Thompson in Midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2024. Federal prosecutors have charged him with murder using a firearm, which could lead to the death penalty if he’s convicted.
While the case remains ongoing, Mangione’s unusual connection to Taylor Swift and Charli XCX has added another strange twist to an already shocking story.
