The recent comments by British singer Lily Allen on the Miss Me? podcast, where she laughed about being unable to recall the exact number of abortions she has had, estimating "four or five," have sparked controversy. For the sake of argument, from a moderate pro-choice perspective, which supports a woman's right to choose while recognizing the ethical weight of abortion, such casual treatment of the issue is deeply problematic. Abortion is a complex and deeply personal decision, often fraught with emotional, moral, and societal considerations. Trivialising it, as Allen's flippant remarks risk doing, undermines the gravity of the procedure and disrespects the experiences of countless women who grapple with its implications. This blog piece examines why, even from a pro-choice stance, laughing about not remembering the number of abortions one has had is troubling and how it reflects broader issues in public discourse around reproductive rights. Note, I am not pro-choice and oppose abortion. But as opinion polls in the US and Australia show that the majority of people are moderate pro-choice it is worth arguing from that position.
Even from a moderate pro-choice perspective, the right to abortion is grounded in bodily autonomy and the recognition that women face diverse circumstances, medical, financial, emotional, or social, that may necessitate such a choice, although we Christian conservatives would disagree. However, this stance does not negate the moral complexity of abortion. Whether one views it as a medical procedure, a termination of potential life, or something in between, abortion often involves profound reflection. For many women, the decision is accompanied by grief, relief, or a mix of emotions, shaped by personal values, cultural context, or religious beliefs. Even in countries like the UK, where abortion is legal and accessible, studies, such as those from the Guttmacher Institute, indicate that a significant portion of women experience emotional challenges post-abortion, with 20-40% reporting feelings of sadness or guilt, even if they stand by their decision.
Allen's light-hearted tone, singing about her abortions to the tune of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" and casually estimating "four or five," reduces this deeply personal experience to a punchline. This approach risks trivialising the emotional and ethical considerations that many women navigate, making it seem as though abortion is a frivolous act rather than a significant life event. Such flippancy can alienate those who support reproductive rights but view abortion as more than a routine procedure, reinforcing stereotypes that pro-choice advocates are indifferent to the moral dimensions of the issue.
The casual discussion between Allen and podcast host Miquita Oliver, who also claimed to have had "about five" abortions, further normalises a cavalier attitude that can undermine the pro-choice movement's credibility. By framing abortion as something one might lose count of, akin to forgetting how many concerts one has attended, their remarks risk desensitising the public to the procedure's weight. This is particularly harmful in a polarised climate where abortion debates are already fraught with misunderstanding. Posts on X, such as those from @ProLifeVoiceUK, have criticised Allen's comments as "callous," arguing that they "mock the seriousness of abortion," reflecting a sentiment that resonates even among moderate pro-choice individuals who value respectful dialogue.
Trivialisation also risks overshadowing the broader context of reproductive rights. The pro-choice movement has long fought for access to safe, legal abortion while advocating for comprehensive sex education, contraception, and social support to reduce the need for abortion. By treating the procedure as a casual anecdote, Allen's remarks could detract from these efforts, reinforcing narratives pushed by critics that pro-choice advocates view abortion as inconsequential.
Allen's earlier statements, claiming that her two children "ruined" her music career and that women cannot "have it all," add another layer to the controversy. These remarks, made in 2024, suggest a tension between her personal choices and professional aspirations, framing motherhood as a barrier to success. While her honesty about the challenges of balancing career and family is valid, the juxtaposition with her flippant abortion comments creates an unsettling narrative. It risks implying that abortion was a means to preserve her career, further reducing a complex decision to a utilitarian act. This framing can alienate women who view abortion as a deeply personal choice, not merely a career strategy, and it undermines the pro-choice argument that women should have agency over their reproductive decisions without judgment.
Even from a moderate pro-choice perspective, Lily Allen's flippant remarks about her abortions are troubling not because they affirm her right to choose but because they trivialise a deeply personal and complex issue. Abortion is more than a statistic or a punchline; it is a decision that carries emotional, ethical, and societal weight.
These points are all made below by moderate pro-choicers in response to Hollywood's Cynthia Nixon, who wore a "Make Abortion great Again" hat. This too shows that pro-choice is a slippery slope leading to these extremes, affirming the rationality of being anti-abortion.
"British singer and actress Lily Allen laughed about being unable to remember how many abortions she has had. "I can't remember exactly how many," the 40-year-old "Lost My Mind" singer said, adding, "I want to say five."
"Abortions, I've had a few, but then again, I can't remember exactly how many," Allen sang to the tune of Frank Sinatra's 1969 hit, "My Way," during her Monday appearance on BBC's Miss Me? podcast.
"Really?" 41-year-old Miss Me? podcast host Miquita Oliver asked, to which Allen replied in a more serious tone forgoing the singing, "I can't remember, yeah. I think maybe, like, I want to say five. Four or five?"
"Yeah, I've had about five, too," Oliver told Allen, adding, "Lily… I'm so happy I can say that, and you can say it, and no one came to shoot us down."
Last year, Allen claimed that having two kids "totally ruined" her music career, and insisted that women can't "have it all" with regards to having both a family and a flourishing career.
"My children ruined my career," the "Fuck You" singer said after being asked if she had to "re-think career strategy" after she had children.
"I never really had a strategy when it comes to career, but yes, my children ruined my career," Allen continued, before offering a caveat. "I mean, I love them, and they complete me, but in terms of, like, you know, pop stardom, totally ruined it."
The "Not Fair" singer went on to say that she finds it "really annoying" when people say that women can "have it all" with regards to children and a thriving career.
"It really annoys me when people say you can have it all, because quite frankly, you can't," Allen, who is a mother of two, asserted."
"Pro-abortion fans of Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon told the actress she took things a little too far — as celebrity elites tend to do — when she posted a photo of herself to Instagram wearing a red "Make Abortion Great Again" hat. "None of my friends who had an Abortion thought it was Great," one fan wrote.
On Thursday Nixon posted a photo of herself lounging on a boat, clad in the disturbing cap, alongside a fearmongering Instagram caption: "In addition to kicking 17 million Americans off their healthcare, Trump's big ugly bill will strip critical funding to [Planned Parenthood] for non-abortion-related medical care."
The And Just Like That… star went on to exclaim, "And of course abortion is healthcare too!" before urging her 1.7 million Instagram followers to call their representatives and tell them "to vote NO on this horrifying bill."
Nixon's pro-abortion fans, however, took to the comment section to express their dismay over the message on her hat, informing the actress that her attire is "a bit much."
"I would never wear that hat and I am pro-choice," the top-liked comment read.
"I'm pro choice," another fan wrote, adding, "None of my friends who had an Abortion thought it was Great."
"When was abortion great?" a third Instagram user inquired.
"Like others, I'm pro choice, but this hat is in such bad taste," another echoed.
"Yikes, this is overboard," another said. "Abortion is not great in any form."
"I've had some really close friends who are dear to me and who I have supported having an abortion and none of them said it was great," another disclosed. "This only fuels unnecessary fire and doesn't help the cause. Do better."
"Um. This is very distasteful," another Instagram user proclaimed. "Pro life or pro choice there isn't anything great about abortions. Sick."
"I am pro choice but this hat is revolting as is anyone who chooses to wear it," another declared.
Another fan asserted, "Abortion is nothing to celebrate. That hat is in very poor taste," adding, "I am 100% pro-choice. That means abortion is available to women who choose to have one. That doesn't mean it's a 'great' thing."
"I am pro-choice but that's a bit much. There's nothing great about abortion," another commented, calling Nixon's hat "very inappropriate."
Another fan who also admitted to being pro-abortion, called the hat "awful" and a "horrible low," advising that the actress "Make yourself great again and ditch the hat. Abortion is not great no matter what hat you wear."
"I am 100% pro choice, but that hat is in poor taste and insensitive to those who have to make that difficult decision," another echoed. "Even if the decision is to abort — I doubt any woman would say abortion is great. Find a better way to spread the pro choice message."
"Glamorizing abortion? Geez. That's the saddest thing I've seen today," another Instagram user lamented.
"In what world was abortion ever a great thing?" another asked.
"This isn't making the point you think it is," another fan said. "Either you are rage baiting or you truly think it's completely rational to reduce abortion care to a trivial punchline and in either scenario it's a bad look."
The fan went on to say, "Using rage bait tactics to endorse such a serious and sensitive issue is tactless and in my opinion does more harm than good. Most women who have undergone an abortion admit that it was a difficult decision to make and feel that the topic of abortion care deserves some reverence."
"These radical expressions are hurting the cause and only endorse the common misconceptions that have pro choice opponents really digging their heels in. Do better with your platform Cynthia," the fan added.
Another Instagram user simply commented, "This is horrific," while another wrote, "Wow that's beyond sick."
"Gosh you need help. I am very pro choice but lady, you just need help," another said.
"Ummmmmmm I'm pro-choice Cynthia, but this is wildly inappropriate," another Instagram user wrote.
"Although I'm pro choice, displaying it like that kind of makes it sound awful," another echoed.
"Yikes! I'm pro choice, but this hat sends the wrong message," another commented. "Abortions are sad situations. Even when it is the best outcome; it is still the end of a life. Even when it is to save the life of a woman; it isstill the end of a life."
Another Instagram user called Nixon a "Fear monger" while another said, "Wow Cynthia, that's very insensitive"
"Not cool… many people go in to this decision not so lightly…" another said.
"I am sorry but it can be accessible, it should be an option when needed, but no honey it will never be great, not even a great idea!" another argued, adding, "Don't make abortion the rule it's the exception."
One Instagram user simply wrote, "In poor taste IMO," while another fan commented, "That's really tacky."
"I'm pro choice but I don't know if suggesting abortions are great is quite the correct phrasing for the message she is trying to convey," another advised.
"Plenty of Women who have had abortions never felt 'great,'" another pointed out, adding, "This hat is so awful."
"The hat is in poor taste, Cynthia," another said.
When not making light of killing unborn children, Nixon is going to bat for Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist running for mayor of New York City, who supported defunding the police, and wants to institute government-run grocery stores, provide "free" buses, "free" child care, and freeze rent hikes. Mamdani has also refused to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and declined to condemn the Holocaust.
"I don't know that I have ever been more excited to vote for anyone than I am to vote for Zohran Mamdani," Nixon said in a vide last month, as she headed to the polls to vote for the socialist in New York City's mayoral Democrat primary."
Leftist feminist Hollywood in action.