'Wasn’t the greatest artist': Internet divided as Lily Allen jokes about children ruining her career
NEW YORK: Lily Allen, the former pop sensation turned actress, has candidly revealed that prioritizing motherhood over her music career has significantly impacted her professional trajectory, reported by The Daily Mail.
In a recent interview on the 'Radio Times Podcast', the 38-year-old artist jokingly confessed that her two daughters have 'totally ruined' her pop career, emphasizing the difficult choices women face between family and professional pursuits.
Lily Allen opens up about choosing motherhood over pop stardom
The singer, who rose to fame as one of London's most notorious party girls, made a conscious decision to step back from her music career after welcoming her daughters, Ethel Mary and Marnie Rose, in 2011.
Reflecting on her experience, Allen expressed frustration at the notion that women can "have it all," asserting that such a sentiment is unrealistic. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing either career or children, drawing from her own upbringing where her parents' absence left lasting scars.
"My children ruined my career. I love them and they complete me, but in terms of pop-stardom, they totally ruined it," she told the Radio Times Podcast.
"I get really annoyed when people say you can have it all because, quite frankly, you can’t. Some people choose their career over their children and that’s their prerogative, but my parents were quite absent when I was a kid. ‘I feel like it left some nasty scars that I’m not willing to repeat on mine."
Lilly, whose father is actor Keith Allen and mother is film producer Alison Owen, chose to prioritize her role as a mother, a decision she believes has contributed to raising "well-rounded" children.
She "chose to step back and concentrate on my children’ and she’s glad that she has as ‘they’re pretty well-rounded."
She shares two daughters with her ex-husband, builder Sam Cooper, 45, Ethel Mary, 12, and Marnie Rose, 10, but released her last studio album, No Shame, in 2018.
Currently residing in New York with her children and new husband, Stranger Things star David Harbour, Allen has transitioned to acting.
"I got a call from a casting director who was putting on a play (2:22 A Ghost Story) in the West End. I said: “No, I’m not an actress”.
"But then I was talking to David – I’d been feeling a bit directionless and didn’t really know what I was doing with my life, except for being a mum and setting up a new home in Brooklyn.
He said, “Maybe you should call them back” and five weeks later I was in rehearsal."
Lily was nominated for a Best Actress Olivier Award in 2022 for her performance in (2:22 A Ghost Story.)
Lily Allen's comments on motherhood spark debate online
Lily Allen's recent remarks about motherhood and her music career have sparked a divided response from internet users, with some expressing support for her priorities and others criticizing her perspective.
One user questioned Allen's ability to manage both motherhood and a music career, suggesting, "Well , other artists seem to manage having children and their careers, personally she grow up and get a grip. Maybe she wasn’t the greatest artist that’s why her career floundering."
Another user applauded Allen's decision to prioritize her children over her career, saying, "So glad it did and your kids took priority. I’m sure she’s very pleased for the choice she made and the kids will do so much better than being a pops stars kid."
Meanwhile, a different user pointed out that there are indeed artists who have continued to thrive in their careers despite having children, saying "There are artists who have had children and continued being popular."
The other user wrote, "Probably wouldn't have had a career if it wasn't for her having a famous father."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
