Lily Allen has opened up about her brutal online dating journey after dropping ‘the break-up album of the year’.
The chart-topping British singer caused quite the stir as she returned with new music for the first time in seven years with West End Girl, an intimate portrait of her failed marriage with ex-husband David Harbour.
The singer didn’t hold back with her songs, covering topics ranging from open marriages to cheating to sex addiction and beyond as she unpacked her turbulent four-year marriage to the Stranger Things star filled with accusations.
In a new interview, the mum-of-two spoke about the obstacles she has faced in the world of online dating, as she categorically confirmed she is ‘not in a relationship’ right now.
Discussing hitting the apps, she said: ‘They’re awful, especially if you’re going through heartbreak. There is nothing more depressing than hundreds of people that are nothing like the person that you’re missing.
‘It’s just like, “No, that’s not him. That’s not him. That’s not him.”.’
As for the type of person she is looking for, she added to Interview Magazine: ‘I’m not really looking to go out with another famous person.’
Unfortunately, it has not been smooth sailing, with the Smile hitmaker admitting that she even got ‘banned from Hinge’ as they thought that she was impersonating herself.
She recalled: ‘I’m like: “I can prove that I’m that person.” [Hinge are] like, “You’ll need to send us your ID.” And I’m like: “Actually my name and the name on my ID aren’t the same”.’ (Her real name is Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper).
Although she was eventually booted off Hinge, she does remain on the exclusive dating app Raya.
When asked about whether she was ‘maybe dating someone’, she replied: ‘I’m not in a relationship, but there are some people that I meet up with.’
Elsewhere in the chat, she explained how much her mindset has shifted over the past year, especially towards her ex.
‘At the time, I was really trying to process things and that’s great in terms of the album, but I don’t feel confused or angry now. I don’t need revenge,’ she said.
In an interview with Perfect Magazine last week, she reflected on how tough it was to be a 40-year-old woman on the dating scene.
‘The dating scene is much harder as a 40-year-old woman with two teenage children than it is for a 34-year-old woman. It’s bitterly disappointing.
‘There’s an element of humiliation and shame around it. The world doesn’t portray women of my age as being desirable. And it just feels like climbing up a mountain.
‘But also, at the same time, I’m like, I don’t have to get involved with it. But something in me says that I do,’ she said at the time.
Her new album has made waves, both causing rampant speculation over who Madeline is and drawing in rave reviews from fans and critics alike.
Metro’s music expert Danni Scott wrote: ‘Ultimately, if you came here for the music, you’re likely to feel a little underwhelmed by Lily’s return to the studio, as it rarely hits the chart highs of her early work.
‘West End Girl is a record that deserves to be played front to back, then repeated, then devoured once more, but it’s not one you’re likely to go back to once the juicy drama has been picked clean.
‘The bones are good, but this is a modern romance for a modern age, which I’m not convinced has the capacity to be timeless.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.