Singer Lily Allen used her podcast as a platform to discuss a topic that remains taboo in society.
The Smile hitmaker co-hosts Miss Me?, a podcast she shares with her childhood best friend, Miquita Oliver.
In a recently released episode, Lily revealed that she had several abortions before opting for an IUD for contraception.
"I'd get pregnant all the time, all the time. Abortions I've had a few, but then again, I can't remember exactly how many.”
Highlights
- Lily Allen spoke candidly about her experience with abortion on her podcast.
- The British singer revealed that she had four or five abortions before getting an IUD for birth control.
- She discussed the stigma surrounding the procedure, emphasizing that women don’t need to justify their choices.
Lily Allen openly discussed the topic of abortion on her podcast Miss Me?
Image credits: Karwai Tang/Getty Images
"I can't remember. I think maybe like, I want to say, four or five."
Miquita then shared her own experience with the procedure: "I've had about five, too! Lily, I'm so happy I can say that and you can say it and no one came to shoot us down, no judgment.
"We've had about the same amount of abortions."
Lily revealed that she had “four or five” abortions before choosing to use an IUD for contraception
Image credits: BBC Sounds
Lily shared that a man once offered to pay for her abortion, which she found "romantic."
Looking back, she doesn't think it was "generous" or "romantic," but she still has no regrets about her decision.
"Think about that investment, like that's, how much is it? 500 quid. Kids are a lot more expensive."
Image credits: BBC Sounds
The women agreed that it's not easy to talk openly about their experiences because many people still associate the procedure with shame or guilt.
"I felt really embarrassed to even say that I had more than one abortion," Miquita admitted. "Why the f*** should I be ashamed? I have had a few."
Lily admitted she couldn’t remember the exact number but estimated she had “four or five” abortions
Image credits: BBC Sounds
Lily then spoke about how some women feel the need to justify their decisions in response to "extraordinary" circumstances.
"It actually irritates me, and I've said it before on the record. I've seen memes going around sometimes, on Instagram from pro-abortion accounts or whatever, whenever this conversation comes up, and suddenly you start seeing people posting things about extraordinary reasons for having an abortion.
"Like, 'My aunt had a kid that had this disability,' or whatever, 'If she went full term it was going to k*ll her, so we have to.' It's like, shut up!'
Co-host Miquita Oliver also shared that she had five abortions and said she was relieved to be able to speak without judgment
"Just, 'I don't want a f***ing baby right now.' Literally, 'Don't want a baby' is enough reason."
The 40-year-old singer shares two daughters, Marnie Rose and Ethel Mary, with her ex-husband, Sam Cooper.
In 2017, Lily revealed that she had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after the stillbirth of her and Sam's first child, which happened six months into her pregnancy.
Image credits: lilyallen
Abortion became legal in the UK in April 1968. The Abortion Act requires approval from two doctors and that the woman meets at least one of seven legal criteria.
Globally, 22 countries ban abortion entirely, including El Salvador, Honduras, and the Philippines.
Both women emphasized how difficult it is to talk openly about abortion due to shame and stigma.
Image credits: lilyallen
"I love them, and they complete me, but in terms of pop stardom, they totally ruined it," she said on the Radio Times Podcast.
The London talent said she prioritized motherhood over her career and has no regrets, explaining, "It really annoys me when people say you can have it all because, quite frankly, you can't."
Image credits: lilyallen
Being a present mother was crucial for Lily, given the distant relationship she had with her parents—actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen—during her childhood.
Lily criticized the idea that abortions must be justified by extreme circumstances
Image credits: lilyallen
"Some people choose their career over their children, and that's their prerogative. But my parents were quite absent when I was a kid, and I feel like that really left some nasty scars that I'm not willing to, you know, repeat on mine.
"So I chose stepping back and concentrating on them, and I'm glad that I have done that because I think they're pretty well-rounded people. Fingers f**** crossed."
Following her divorce from Sam, Lily was married to Stranger Things actor David Harbour. The two separated in December 2024.
Last month, she was pictured on a date with Happy Valley actor James Norton after meeting him on the celebrity dating app Raya.
People reacted to Lily’s admission about her personal experience with abortion
Image credits: OWildcard16101
Image credits: swissmissled
Image credits: MericaNana007
Image credits: MortyMark
Image credits: johnpaulharmon
Image credits: SmithJane007
Image credits: mandalynns23
Image credits: net_pros
Image credits: Silver_Suntan
Image credits: LT66236
Image credits: MichaelMan80865
Image credits: kippieCyber
Image credits: mrsmc_gray
Image credits: Patrici87161222
Image credits: ElizaDelilahKa1
Image credits: starrybright
Image credits: Alian0216
Image credits: janinem70542099
Image credits: Chris1966