Lily Allen Joked That Her Children "Ruined" Her Career, And She Made Some Good Points

Warning: Brief mention of pregnancy loss.

Lily Allen discussed the toll that having children had on her pop music career.

Lily in a trench coat and scarf carrying a purse
Dave Benett / Dave Benett / Getty Images for Burberry

Lily is the daughter of actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. She has two daughters, born in 2011 and 2013, from her previous marriage with Sam Cooper. Lily has also previously opened up about delivering a stillborn son in 2010, leading her to have PTSD, and has also been candid about having problems with postnatal depression.

Lily  with her two children dressed as Frozen characters, Elsa and Anna, at a themed event
Dave Benett / Dave Benett / WireImage

Both of Lily's daughters came after the release of her2009 number one album It's Not Me, It's You. She didn't release another album until 2014's commercially successful Sheezus, which she later said was "a really bad period of time" in her life where she as "having an identity crisis."

Lily Allen smiling at the camera, short hair with bangs, wearing a sleeveless black dress at an event
Anthony Harvey / Getty Images

Speaking to the Radio Times in a new interview, Lily was asked whether or not having children caused her to restrategize her career. Lily replied with a laugh, "I never really had a strategy when it comes to career. But yes, my children ruined my career."

“I mean, I love them and they complete me, but in terms of pop-stardom, they totally ruined it,” she added. "Does not mix!”

  Radio Times / Via youtube.com
Radio Times / Via youtube.com

“It really annoys me when people say you can have it all because, quite frankly, you can’t,” Lily continued. “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."

  Radio Times / Via youtube.com
Radio Times / Via youtube.com

Ultimately, Lily is happy with the trade off she made: “I chose to step back and concentrate on them. I’m glad that I’ve done that because I think they’re pretty well-rounded people. Fingers fucking crossed!”

Lily Allen stands on the red carpet in a sleeveless, empire-waist gown
Ian Gavan / Getty Images

"I actually think if we weren't so self-centered as people these days, on Instagram you see quite a lot about this no negative energy, I'm protecting my healthy boundaries, and it's all about me, blah. I think if we were less like that and more actually about the community and taking care of the community, then maybe you could have it all. People just can't afford childcare in the way you're supposed to. It just doesn't add up," she continued, noting different things like home ownership and state care are from decades ago. "People can barely afford to live without children."

Lily poses for photo at a media event
Dave Benett / Alan Chapman/Dave Benett / Getty Images

"Even in 2008, when the crash happened and I had had the success of my first album, I remember thinking, Hang on, I'm number one in the actual charts and on the front cover of the newspapers every day and I found it hard to buy myself a flat. How is everyone else coping? It's definitely not got easier," Lily added.

Lily in off-shoulder dress with printed design, accessorized with a bow in pink hair
Dave M. Benett / Getty Images

Lily has recently turned her attention to acting, including garnering a 2022 Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her performance in the play 2:22 A Ghost Story. She's also entering the audio space with an upcoming podcast with TV presenter and friend Miquita Oliver.

  Dave Benett / Alan Chapman/Dave Benett / Getty Images
Dave Benett / Alan Chapman/Dave Benett / Getty Images

You can listen to the full interview here.