LILY Allen admitted she’s lost count of the number of abortions she’s had, and said she used to get pregnant “all the time”.
The singer, 40, opened up about pregnancies and motherhood to best pal Miquita Oliver, 41, on the latest edition of their podcast Miss Me?
Lily Allen has spoken out about her abortion history[/caption]
She has two children from her marriage with Sam Cooper[/caption]
Mum-of-two Lily began by revealing she’s on her third or fourth contraceptive coil, describing life before them as a “complete disaster area”.
She said: “Yeah I’d get pregnant all the time, all the time.”
The provocative pop star then changed the lyrics to the Sinatra classic My Way, singing: “Abortions I’ve had a few… but then again… I can’t remember exactly how many.”
Lily added: “I can’t remember. I think maybe like, I want to say four or five.”
Former T4 presenter Miquita then chipped in, admitting she’d had the same amount.
She said: “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 continued: “I remember once getting pregnant and the man paying for my abortion, and me thinking it was so romantic.”
Miquita agreed with her assessment, but Lily told her she has changed her opinion over time.
She now views it as a prudent financial decision, saying: “No, I don’t think it’s generous or romantic. Think about that investment, like that’s, how much is it? 500 quid. Kids are a lot more expensive.”
Both women shared their frustration at feeling abortion is a taboo topic that shouldn’t be discussed publicly.
“I felt really embarrassed to even say that I had more than one abortion,” said Miquita. “Why the f*** should I be ashamed? I have had a few.”
Lily said: “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 kill her, so we have to.’ It’s like, shut up!
“Just: ‘I don’t want a f***ing baby right now.’ Literally: ‘Don’t want a baby’ is enough reason.”
Lily’s children – Ethel, 12, and Marnie, 11 – are from her relationship with ex-husband Sam Cooper.
She came under fire last this year for saying that having kids “ruined” her music career.
Miquita Oliver said she’s had the same number of abortions as pal Lily[/caption]
Lily is single after splitting from husband David Harbour in December[/caption]
She said: “I love them and they complete me, but in terms of pop stardom, they totally ruined it.
“I get really annoyed when people say you can have it all because, quite frankly, you can’t.”
Lily also opened up about her own childhood, calling it a “painful” time due to her film producer mum’s career keeping her away from the family home.
She said: “Did it have an effect on us as children? Yes it did. Do I hold that against her, no I don’t – although it was pretty painful at the time.”
Lily continued: “People pitched in and they helped and I just don’t think that sort of thing is available to us now.”
More recently, the Smile singer split from actor husband David Harbour in December after spending months living apart.
She has been single since, but two weeks ago she was pictured moving on with Brit star James Norton as they shared a kiss at Lido Festival, London.
One onlooker said: “James and Lily looked very into each other and they were snogging backstage.
“We were all quite surprised to see them there together, let alone kissing.
“I don’t think they’ve even known each other that long, but it was a fun hang-out backstage and they got taken away by the vibe.”
Abortion Laws in Different Countries
- The UK
In England, Scotland and Wales abortions are allowed before 24 weeks of pregnancy. They can be carried out after 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances.
The termination is only legal when performed by a licensed medical professional (a doctor) and it must also be signed off by two other doctors.
- Czech Republic
Abortion can be legally performed up to 12 weeks for any reasons and up to 23 weeks for medical reasons.
It can also be carried out at any point of pregnancy in cases of fetal abnormality.
- The US
After the US Supreme Court overturned Roe V Wade, the national right to abortion has been abolished. Now the abortion laws are in the hands of each state.
Abortion remains legal in 28 states, and In other states, abortion is illegal with rare exceptions such as rape or threat to life.
As of January 2024, 14 states have completely banned abortions while two states – Georgia and South Carolina – have prohibited abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
- France
Abortion in France is legal until 14 weeks after conception.
They can be performed at later stages if two doctors can certify that doing so will prevent harm or risk to the life of an expectant mother; or if a child will suffer from an incurable illness.
