Entertainment
Lily Allen shares details on creation of new album after split: “It said everything that I needed to say”
As an artist, Lily Allen stands firm by her belief that heartbreak can be a gift. After all, it helped lead to her latest album, “West End Girl.”
“You know, while I was writing it, I wasn’t really sure that it was going to see the light of day,” Allen told CBS News special correspondent Anthony Mason in an interview for “CBS Mornings” that aired Thursday, describing the music as “an act of desperation.” The studio album, released in late October, was written during the breakup of her nearly 4-year marriage to “Stranger Things” actor David Harbour.
The theme of what’s been described as Allen’s epic “breakup album” centers around tales of a deceptive partner, which the singer says is based partly on truth and partly on fantasy.
Harbour has not directly addressed his breakup with Allen or commented on her “West End Girl” album. But in an interview with Esquire UK, published around the album’s release, Harbour discussed the importance of accepting your mistakes. “I’d change everything or nothing. If you accept your past, you accept it completely, even the pain, the mistakes… It’s all part of the journey, the growth, the wisdom, the empathy, and the connection, and if you change one thing, you change everything,” he told the magazine at the time, adding that his work is about being honest.
New album says “everything that I needed to say”
But Allen said it was a “nightmare” holding onto the album and stunted her healing process. She felt a sense of relief and peace when she finally was able to share her words with the world.
“Since I’ve put it out, it’s felt completely and utterly liberating. It was kind of hellish having it in the background,” Allen said. “I don’t know. I just feel like I couldn’t – it said everything that I needed to say. And I felt like I couldn’t really like get on with my life until I’d said it.”
Her newly released music quickly lit up social media, with fans reacting to it on TikTok.
Allen wrote most of the record within the span of 10 days at the end of last year. She was excited to complete the album, but at the same time her personal life was falling into pieces.
After spending Christmas with her two daughters whom she shares with ex-husband Sam Cooper, Allen decided to check herself into a treatment facility.
“I knew the things I was feeling were too intense,” Allen explained her decision to seek professional help at the time following her separation. As a recovering alcoholic, Allen said she’s not afraid of working on herself and knew she needed some quiet time.
A cathartic release
The Brooklyn townhouse that Allen and Harbour gave Architectural Digest a tour of in 2023 is now listed for around $8 million. The pair bought the home in early 2021 shortly after they got married.
Allen said her music was cathartic – for herself and her children.
“All of the pain that, you know, that I’ve been through in the past year, they’ve been through too,” Allen said. ” But you know, one thing that I wanted to do was to show my kids that, you know, you can use that pain and harness it and turn it into something else. And I think I’ve done that.”
Now, Allen is preparing for her 2026 tour – her first since she got sober in 2019.
The singer said she’s planning her touring schedule around her girls’ holidays so they’ll be able to come and bring their friends.
“I can’t wait to have them there. It’s like, it’s gonna be… It’s as much for them as it is for me,” Allen said, adding that she feels like she’s living her best life after a year of healing.
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly appear to be entering a calmer, more grounded chapter in their relationship.
According to a new report by PEOPLE Magazine, the pair are “basically back together” after welcoming their daughter, Saga Blade, in April 2025.
“Their baby girl is their top priority, and she’s brought them closer than ever,” a source shared.
The insider further explained that the couple’s daily rhythm, emotional stability, and communication have all improved since embracing parenthood together, making this period markedly different from their turbulent past year.
“They’re in a much stronger place than they were even six months ago, and Megan says their baby has given her a sense of peace and healing.”
A previous report also highlighted that Fox was genuinely moved by how tender and attentive MGK has been with their daughter.
This reportedly strengthened her trust and comfort with him.
“Things are great now,” the source told People.
“He’s amazing with the baby, and she very much enjoys spending time with him.”
King Charles III met Halla Tómasdóttir, the President of the Republic of Iceland.
The official Instagram page of the royal family posted a picture in which Tómasdóttir can be seen shaking hands with the monarch of the United Kingdom.
On Thursday, November 20, the President of Iceland paid a visit to the Buckingham Palace to see the King Charles as she is currently on her first official visit to UK, which started on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
The post also has a caption that read, “This afternoon, The President of the Republic of Iceland visited The King at Buckingham Palace.”
Notably, Iceland President’s first day in London includes public talks and meetings focused on leadership, sustainability, and economic development.
While King Charles met the President of the Republic of Iceland, his wife Queen Camilla on the other hand hosted reception a reception at St James’ Palace.
Camilla, the vice-patron of the Royal Commonwealth Society, celebrated the winners and runners-up of The Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025.
Meghan Markle’s comments about Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have just found herself being called out by The Times writer Charlie Gowans-Eglinton who just penned an opinion piece.
In it they wrote, “Nothing says bravery like launching a brand with just the support of your prince husband and only your very close, dearest friends to shore you up if you fail.”
“Although perhaps it helps if some of those friends are oligarchs; the Sussexes were hobnobbing with the Bezoses and Zuckerbergs at Kris Jenner’s birthday party last week,” they added.
Because if what the Duchess said is true and her children to “face things that feel completely insurmountable every day”, the writer notes “will need bravery” even though she did not list any of these ‘insurmountable’ things.
However, that is not to say the writer ended there because they added, “I’m sure I can think of a million insurmountable hurdles for the next generation of the original nepo babies, royals.”
Before signing off she even poked fun at all the other comments the Duchess, as well as her friends said because according to one, Serena Williams, Meghan has ““made it a study, using books and apps, a diligence that has made her an authority within her friend circle.”
“Perhaps 2026 will bring us a “With Love, Meghan: Raising Little Princes” parenting special,” the writer said in their concluding remarks regarding the whole thing.
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Megan Fox, MGK find peace, healing post daughter Saga Blade: Source
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