On Friday, an unexpected history was made in the United States of America, when the seemingly powerful nation regressed 50 years in time to strip women of their reproductive rights.
As you might know, the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, the landmark case that gave citizens the constitutional right to access safe and legal abortion anywhere in the country.
Now, the Supreme Court overturned those rights, allowing states to outlaw abortion as they so choose. As of this writing, at least 13 states — including Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Dakota — have either immediately criminalized abortion or are exploring laws that would in the near future.
Since the overturning of Roe V. Wade made headlines, several celebrities such as — Michelle Obama, Hilary Clinton, Amy Schumer, and Hailey Bieber, amongst others — have taken to social media to air their thoughts and outrage at the utter disregard for the law of the land.
However, other stars have chosen to share their either horrid or fortunate abortion stories to give an insight into how the overruled law will negatively impact the American woman.
Rita Moreno Suffered A Botched Abortion
Legendary actress, singer, and dancer, Rita Moreno, shared her horrific abortion story following the news of Roe V. Wade. The veteran Hollywood star who was 41 when Roe V. Wade first became the law of the land in 1973 recounted how she endured a “botched” abortion because of her then-boyfriend Marlon Brandon.
Moreno and Brandon dated for eight years and at the time she was in her mid-20s to her early 30s. While speaking to Variety about her tragic experience, the “West Side Story” actress recalled that Brandon found a doctor through his friends and paid him $500 to get the procedure done.
The 90-year-old mentioned that the medic was an actual professional as opposed to a quack, but that didn’t stop her from experiencing life-threatening consequences.
“Marlon took me to the hospital. I had what they told me was a ‘disturbed pregnancy,'” Moreno recalled. “The doctor didn’t do anything really, except make me bleed. In other words, he didn’t do it right. I didn’t know it then, but I could have died. What a mess. What a dreadful mess.”
The doctor didn’t perform a full abortion, almost causing the entertainment legend her life. Reflecting on how the new overruling would affect younger women, the “One Day At a Time” star said,
“I can see that thing happening now and going back to back alleys. I’m really nervous and frightened and horrified that this is taking place. I can’t believe that some of those people are telling us what to do with our bodies.”
Moreno remembered when Roe V. Wade was the law of the land and how “jubilant” she was. However, she confessed that she saw the backtracking coming.
“Hilary Clinton warned everybody about this. I’m not shocked because I saw it coming but I’m stunned,” she admitted.
Moreno’s concern is targeted at young girls as she said, “I think about the young girls. Taking it to the most extreme, girls who get pregnant because of rape or incest. Unfair isn’t a strong enough word, but it’s unfair.”
Meadow Walker Felt ‘Lucky’ To Have An Abortion
Meadow Walker, the daughter of the late Paul Walker, opened up about her own abortion story after the ruling. The model released a statement on Instagram calling the ruling a huge setback in history.”
Sharing her own story, she wrote, “There are countless women who have struggled with making the decision to have an abortion. I too have battled with the choice but in 2020, when the world was collapsing during the pandemic, I sought an abortion.”
Meadow continued, “it was a very private and personal experience – the way it should be. I was lucky enough to have a great doctor who supported me through the debilitating process- with their help, I am able to be the happy and healthy person I am today.”
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Meadow lamented how the unjust ruling “constantly marginalizes females” while echoing the truth that “banning abortion doesn’t prevent abortions, it prevents safe abortions.”
Cheryl Burke Wouldn’t Be A Great Mother If She Didn’t Have A Safe Abortion
“Dancing with the Stars” star Cheryl Burke also touched on her own story. In a lengthy TikTok video, Burke said, “I am saddened by the news this morning and it weighs heavy in my heart because I had an abortion when I was 18 years old.”
She continued, “If it wasn’t for places like Planned Parenthood, I would be a mother and I wouldn’t have been a great mother and I definitely wouldn’t be sitting here with you today.”
Burke reiterated many people’s beliefs that women should have the right to make decisions over their bodies and not the government.
She then went into detail about her story, revealing that she was going through a huge transition in her life when she had an unexpected pregnancy.
“I was practicing safe sex. I was using protection and I was on birth control and s–– happens,” she recalled. “I was two weeks pregnant when I got an abortion. I remember rolling up to Planned Parenthood with Picketers holding anti-abortion signs and that alone was traumatic. But, on top of it all, the whole process is traumatic and the fact that now, you’re making it illegal for us women to make this decision about our own bodies is absolutely insanity.
Burke maintains that she has no regrets and shame over her decision, and wishes every other woman had the right to make such a decision.
Phoebe Bridgers Had An Abortion While On Tour
Singer Phoebe Bridgers shared her abortion story back in May when the draft opinion from the United States Supreme Court about overturning Roe V. Wade was leaked.
I had an abortion in October of last year while I was on tour. I went to planned parenthood where they gave me the abortion pill. It was easy. Everyone deserves that kind of access.
Here’s a big list of places you can donate to right now. https://t.co/jT0sk6CeNX
— traitor joe (@phoebe_bridgers) May 3, 2022
While protesting the possibility of the overruling, the “Motion Sickness” singer revealed in a tweet, “I had an abortion in October of last year while I was on tour. I went to planned parenthood where they gave me the abortion pill. It was easy. Everyone deserves that kind of access.”
Over the years, several A-listers have spoken up about their abortion story while trying to champion reproductive rights. The long list includes Whoopi Goldberg, Jameela Jamil, KeKe Palmer, Toni Braxton, Stevie Nicks, Billie Jean King, and Nicki Minaj amongst others.
