This is a list of celebrities who have opened up about having abortions—because ending the stigma is critical
It seems like a restrictive abortion bill is being introduced somewhere in this country almost every day. Most recently, Alabama signed a bill into law that makes abortion illegal at conception—even in cases of rape or incest. Meanwhile, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a bill that outlaws abortion as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detected (before many women even know that they’re pregnant).
In light of this recent legislation, we’re taking a look at some of the brave celebrities who have used their public platform to advocate for reproductive rights by sharing their own personal experiences with abortion.
Milla Jovovich
In an extremely candid Instagram post, the model and actress opened up about having an emergency abortion four and a half months into a pregnancy in 2017.
“I went into pre term labor and told that I had to be awake for the whole procedure. It was one of the most horrific experiences I have ever gone through,” she wrote. She concluded her message with, “Abortion is a nightmare at its best. No woman wants to go through that. But we have to fight to make sure our rights are preserved to obtain a safe one if we need to. I never wanted to speak about this experience. But I cannot remain silent when so much is at stake.”
Jameela Jamil
In a May 13th Twitter thread, Jamil called out Georgia’s new law as “blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women.” She went on to reveal that she herself had an abortion when she was younger.
"I had an abortion when I was young, and it was the best decision I have ever made," she wrote. "Both for me, and for the baby I didn’t want, and wasn’t ready for, emotionally, psychologically and financially. So many children will end up in foster homes. So many lives ruined. So very cruel."
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1128013069790076929
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1128013071295762432
Busy Philipps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBDIXa568XY
Philipps first opened up about having an abortion in her memoir, This Will Only Hurt a Little. She addressed her experience again on her talk show after Kemp signed the new Georgia law.
Rose McGowan
In March, the actress and activist shared a statistic from the feminist group UltraViolet stating that one in four women will terminate a pregnancy before age 45. She tweeted that she was “not ashamed, nor should you be.”
"I was on birth control and it failed," she wrote. "I realized I could not bring a child into my world and simultaneously change the world. I do not regret my decision and it was not made lightly."
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1101587181821399040
into my world and simultaneously change the world. I do not regret my decision and it was not made lightly. If you do not want an abortion, don’t get one. My body, my choice, my life. Have you had to make a choice? Let’s talk and use hashtag #HonestAbortion
— Rose✨McGowan (@rosemcgowan) March 1, 2019
Nicki Minaj
In 2014, the rapper confirmed to Rolling Stone that one of her songs on The Pinkprint alludes to her own abortion. She told the magazine that she had undergone the procedure as a teenager and said it “haunted me all my life.” Nevertheless, she added that she felt it was the right decision and affirmed others’ right to make the same choice.
"It’d be contradictory if I said I wasn’t pro-choice," she said. "I wasn’t ready. I didn’t have anything to offer a child."
Naya Rivera
The Glee actress shared her abortion experience in her memoir, Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up, revealing that she terminated a pregnancy while working on Glee in 2010. In a followup essay for USA Today, she explained that she wanted to share her experience “to let other women facing the same difficult decision know that they weren’t alone.”
With so many lawmakers challenging reproductive rights, we’re glad that so many women are telling their stories. A women’s right to choose what’s best for herself, her family, and her body is imperative, and if you feel strongly about this, call your representatives (and if you’re able, consider donating to Planned Parenthood today).
