A Candid Confession on Her Podcast
Lily Allen isn’t known for holding back. On a recent episode of her podcast Miss Me?, the 40-year-old singer made a striking admission: she can’t remember exactly how many abortions she’s had.
Chatting with longtime friend and co-host Miquita Oliver, Allen said, “Abortions, I’ve had a few… I want to say four or five.” Oliver replied that she’d had “about five” herself.
Immediate and Divided Response
Reactions online were swift—and polarizing. Some applauded Allen’s honesty in a world where women often feel forced to explain their reproductive choices. Others criticized her tone and accused her of treating abortion too lightly.
Anticipating the Backlash
Allen seemed to expect some of the criticism. Reflecting on one experience, she shared how a man once paid for an abortion, and at the time, she saw it as romantic. “He didn’t even follow up with me afterwards,” she said. “I don’t think it’s generous or romantic.”
Her frustration, however, extended beyond individual men. She took aim at the broader cultural norm of needing a “valid” reason for an abortion.
“I Don’t Want a Baby Right Now” Is Enough
“It actually irritates me,” Allen continued. “I’ve seen pro-abortion memes that say things like, ‘She would’ve died’ or ‘The baby had a disability.’ Like, shut up! Just say, ‘I don’t want a f***ing baby right now.’ That’s reason enough.”
Her blunt delivery—at times breezy or giggly—rubbed some listeners the wrong way. But others saw that tone as precisely the point.
Challenging Conditional Acceptance
Researcher Alison Wilson, writing in Metro, explained the public discomfort: “Imagine how much more acceptable this would be if Allen had expressed remorse. That’s about conditional acceptance.”
In short, society still expects women to apologize for choosing abortion. When they don’t, it causes discomfort.
Reproductive Freedom on Her Terms
Wilson argues that Allen’s openness, though uncomfortable, is crucial. “That’s what it means to be pro-choice: supporting the pregnant person’s choice, not just the one you like best.”
Allen isn’t glamorizing abortion or encouraging others to follow her path. She’s simply telling her story—without shame or apology. And for many, that’s what real reproductive freedom looks like.
