Lily Allen has received heartfelt praise from her close friends Miquita and Andi Oliver for her remarkable personal transformation following her divorce from actor David Harbour, which they reveal "nearly broke her". The mother-daughter duo opened up about the singer's challenging journey in a candid interview for the latest issue of Good Housekeeping UK, describing how Allen has successfully rebuilt herself after enduring what they termed "absolute hell".
Friends Reveal Emotional Turmoil
The 40-year-old singer and 50-year-old Stranger Things star tied the knot in a Las Vegas ceremony in 2020 before their separation in 2024, with Allen later detailing Harbour's alleged affair in her West End Girl album. According to her friends, this period represented one of the most difficult chapters in Allen's life.
Miquita Oliver shared: "It’s not been easy for Lily. But we’re still silly with each other, and I doubt the playfulness we had as children will ever leave us now." Her mother Andi added more emotional context: "You know, Lily nearly broke last year. She’s been through absolute hell, and it’s been extraordinary to see her rebuild herself. I’m incredibly proud of her."
A Year of Personal Challenges
The breakdown of her four-year marriage prompted Allen to seek treatment at a mental health facility earlier this year. On her podcast Miss Me? with Miquita, the singer provided a candid summary of her tumultuous year: "I've done quite a lot this year. I've finished an album, I got a boob job, I had a nervous breakdown, I went into hospital for a bit, I came out, I did some podcasting for a while, then I played one of the hardest tracks in theatre and killed myself [in the role of Hedda Gabler] every night for seven weeks."
Allen emphasized that her priority throughout this challenging period has been to become the best mother possible to her two children, a commitment she discussed openly on her podcast platform.
Moving Forward with New Romance
In recent months, Allen has been spotted moving on with new love interest Jonah Freud, the 28-year-old writer and son of entrepreneur Matthew Freud. The pair have been seen on multiple dates, including a romantic mini-break to Rome where they were photographed enjoying coffee together outside the Sant' Eustachio Caffè.
An eyewitness who spotted the couple in Rome told The Sun: "We walked past her and it was my daughter-in-law who recognised her and went, 'Oh my God, it's Lily Allen.' We did a double take, and it was definitely her, she was with Jonah Freud. They were just having a coffee and a cigarette together."
Public Appearances Confirm Relationship
The relationship became more public in December when Allen and Freud were photographed sharing a passionate kiss at her celebrity-packed Christmas party at London's Stringfellow's nightclub. The pair had their arms around each other in several photos before their intimate moment in front of other guests.
More recently, the couple were seen leaving a Paris Fashion Week event together, following their Italian getaway where they reportedly stayed in a suite at the Hotel Locarno costing approximately £800 per night. This Paris trip occurred just days after their romantic holiday, with Allen attending events during the city's Haute Couture Fashion Week.
Previous Encounters and Support System
Allen and Freud's relationship appears to have developed over several months, with the pair first spotted together back in September at an Oasis party held at the prestigious Chiltern Firehouse. In November, they enjoyed a cosy dinner date at the Michelin-starred Dorian restaurant in Notting Hill, where they spent over two hours chatting and laughing before leaving separately.
Andi Oliver drew parallels between Allen's recovery journey and her daughter Miquita's own experiences, noting: "Miquita nearly broke when she had to declare herself bankrupt but, like Lily, she rebuilt herself." This comparison highlights the supportive network surrounding Allen as she navigates her post-divorce life.
The full interview with Miquita and Andi Oliver discussing Lily Allen's personal journey can be read in the March issue of Good Housekeeping UK, providing further insight into the singer's resilience and the friendship that has supported her through this transformative period.
