With many states passing new abortion laws, celebrities have expressed their disappointment in the country’s reproductive health restrictions. Here are four female celebrities who have used their platform to raise awareness about women’s reproductive rights.
- Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande’s six studio albums weren’t the start of her career. She starred in Broadway’s “13” in 2008 and then in the Nickelodeon show “Victorious.” It’s no secret that the star is a multi-millionaire, but she is also a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood. During her latest world tour in 2019 she donated $250,000 in profits from her Atlanta show to the organization. The donation came just months after the state’s government passed the “fetal heartbeat” bill which banned abortions after a heartbeat is detected in a fetus.
- Lizzo
Last year after the introduction of the “heartbeat bill” in Texas, the “Truth Hurts” singer spoke out on her instagram live about her opinion on the issue. She called the law “unconstitutional” because it doesn’t respect the separation of church and state. “Lets focus on the pandemic,” said the singer. She also joined the “Bans Off My Body” campaign created by Planned Parenthood to fight against abortion limitations across the nation.
- Cher
The music icon has been voicing her opinion on reproductive and women’s rights for years now. She starred in the 1996 movie If These Walls Could Talk, a film that follows the stories of three women dealing with abortion, as Dr. Beth Thompson. The movie is known to have an “unapologetic tone” where other movies about the topic have portrayed abortion as acceptable only in dire situations. Cher has also shown her support for the movement by informing others on twitter that “PRO CHOICE IS NOT ANTI LIFE!…”
- Lady Gaga
The 2019 Alabama abortion restrictions banned abortions except for on ectopic pregnancies, if the child has a lethal anomaly or if the pregnancy is risky for the mother. When Lady Gaga heard about this new law, she took to Twitter to say “So there’s a higher penalty for doctors who perform these operations than for most rapists?” Alabama doctors can be given life in prison for performing abortions outside of these circumstances. In 2017 she joined the 7 Inches For Planned Parenthood, an album of songs by various artists, and signed a guitar being raffled. Individuals who donated at least $10 to help Planned Parenthood would be entered to win the guitar signed by over 100 celebrities.
The funds and awareness raised by these celebrities is helping other women have access to procedures, medication and the support they need to stay healthy and maintain the right to their own bodies.