“I love my children, but they ruined my career”: Lily Allen on motherhood

After several years in the London pop scene, she moved to the countryside in 2011 and had children. But now the formerly famous British singer Lily Allen admits that her daughters put an end to her career. In an interview with the Radio Times Podcast, she spoke candidly about why she believes women still cannot balance work and motherhood.

“My children ruined my career. I love them, they give me a sense of integrity, but in terms of fame, they completely destroyed it,” Lily noted. – People irritate me when they say that I could have it all because... But, to be honest, you can’t. Some people choose careers over children, and that is their prerogative. My parents were absent a lot when I was a child. And I understand that this has left me with terrible scars that I am unable to leave myself.”

The singer's father, Keith Allen, left her mother, film producer Alison Owen, when Lily was just four years old. She herself says that she made a choice and stepped away from work to concentrate on her children, and is glad that they had a good childhood, “they are quite versatile.”

The "Smile" hitmaker shares 12-year-old Ethel Marie and 10-year-old Marnie Rose with ex-husband Sam Cooper. She released her latest album, “No Shame,” in 2018, and later moved to America with her children, marrying the star of the TV series “Stranger Things,” actor David Harbour.

Lily sometimes returns to London, but claims that the move has had positive consequences for her, both psychologically and professionally. “I’ve been sober for about two years, I just moved to New York. Mostly, sobriety is about surrendering to God and allowing him, whether you believe it or not, to have a plan for you. Some time ago I received a call from a casting director who is producing a play (A Ghost Story) in the West End. I said, “No, I’m not an actress.” And then I talked to David - I felt a little lost and really didn't know what I was going to do with my life, other than raise children and set up a new home in Brooklyn. And he said to me: “Maybe you’ll call them back?” And five weeks later I was already rehearsing.”

In 2022, Allen received a nomination for the prestigious Laurence Olivier Theater Award for her work on the play A Ghost Story. And last year she took part in the production of Martin McDonagh’s play “The Pillowman.” And although not all critics were inspired by her performance, the former singer and now theater actress Lily Allen is not worried. The children are growing up and happy, and she can afford to work sometimes.