Chelsea Handler Admits Abortion at 16, Loathes '16 and Pregnant'

By Kiki Von Glinow Posted May 25th 2011 10:40AM

She may be raking in the laughs now, but Chelsea Handler's life wasn't always so comical. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Handler divulged that she had no choice but to get an abortion when she discovered she was pregnant at 16 years old.

"I had an abortion when I was 16. Because that's what I should have done," she said frankly. "Otherwise I would now have a 20-year-old kid. Anyway, those are the things that people shouldn't be dishonest about."

But Handler has no sympathy for today's youngsters who broadcast their teen pregnancies to the world.

"We're seeking out such grossness in human behavior and want such mindless entertainment ... '16 and Pregnant.' Getting rewarded for being pregnant when you're a teenager? Are you serious? I mean, that makes me want to kill somebody."

Another thing that gets Handler riled up? The way she is characterized in the media. Although she is aware that her honesty is exactly the reason why she is often pegged as a "raunchy" comedian, Handler doesn't care for the moniker.

"That's my least favorite word, raunchy," she said. "Men are more apt to use that word about women than women are. I think that's why my audience is so female-heavy. They cheer you on, whereas men are, like, you're not supposed to talk like that."

Like her humor or not, at least Handler is an equal opportunity satirist.

"I try to make fun of everyone as often as possible, especially minorities," she said. "I'm a Jewish woman, so ..."

Tags: chelsea handler

Comments

(226)

Wednesday 25 May

By Nad

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I Quote "Getting rewarded for being pregnant when you're a teenager? Are you serious? I mean, that makes me want to kill somebody."

She did kill someone. Enough said. And she is famous for what?

By Stacie

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@Susan, please watch a real abortion being done. You can actually see this on youtube. Watch as the embryo moves away from the needle and vacuum, then watch it being torn one limb at a time. Watch the childs heart stop beating. Then, just think about what is actually being done. Not an opinion, no beliefs involved here, just clear facts.

By Gary Sthilaire

For post abortion regret call Project Rachael. No sin is to big for God to forgive

By LARA

SHE IS A TRASH BABY KILLER!!!!! A WONDERFUL COUPLE COULD HAVE RAISED THAT CHILD!!!

By griffsyn

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Just not you huh? Put your money where your mouth is and help get rid of the adoption problem, then we will have your solution to the abortion problem. Or we could support Planned parent hood in educating people about sex, and prevention of unwanted pregnancies in the first place.........

By Allison

I agree with Chelsea. I'm all pro-choice. For all you bible thumpers who are against abortion- here's some advice: stop making your own children and adopt the children that are born into poverty and dispair.

PRO CHOICE FOR LIFE>

By noel

Abortion is a personal decision...I chose not to end a life, but that was MY decision. Reality shows are "mindless entertainment" and "exploit gross behavior", but then I think Chelsey does the same....and don't watch her either since seeing some of her shows.

By Gigbot

"We're seeking out such grossness in human behavior and want such mindless entertainment ... '16 and Pregnant.' Getting rewarded for being pregnant when you're a teenager? Are you serious? I mean, that makes me want to kill somebody."

Uuuummm ... didn't she already kill somebody. I have No absolutely NO respect for this dirtbag

Oh grow up people. Life expectancy of humans has increased dramatically over the last 150 years. It used to be a time where people were dying in their thirties and having babies in their early teens. That was the way the world worked up until fairly recent. Now we have choice, and i applaud Handler for the maturity she showed in the situation. In this society most 16 year olds are not ready to have kids. Giving kids up for adoption wouldn't be so bad, if enough of the kids are getting adopted, but that's not the case now is it? Got to love those republicans, want to force you to have the kid, then abandon you when its time to pay for it.

By Margaret

I am not a fan of the show either. We are the product of being pregant at 16 years old and getting through thru rough and rocky times. My husband and I had 3 chidlren by the time I was 20 years - we both worked 2-3 jobs to survive. We both came from very poor families. That was 34 years ogo - I am now 50 years old - still married to the same man for 33 years but believe it was not easy at times. We are both very successful with 3 incredible wonderful kids. We devoted our lifes to them while they were growing up -sacrificed everything for them. That is the way it should be if you have a child whether you are young or old! Maybe we are rare but if can be done - hopefully some day it will a reality for other young people out there and they can be educated more about the responsibilities of having a child! It needs to happen because the problem in this world today is there are too many broken families! The ones that suffer are the children!

By pjcpac

Judge not, lest you be judged. For all of you suggesting she could have EASILY just had the baby and given he/she up for adoption then answer me this. How many of you have adopted a child? I have been there and done that x 4. So at least put your money and time in where your mouth is.

By iamcart

Chelsea FOR PRESIDENT!!

By Shae

she is as disgusting and humorless as that other skank - Kathy Griffen.

GRIFFS... REALLY. THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ADOPT AND THERE ARENT' ENOUGH BABIES...WAKE UP... OBVIOUSLY YOU DONT UNDERSTAND THAT EDUCATION OF SAFE SEX O=IS NOT WORKING!!!! DUBMBKIDS MAKE BAD CHOICES!!!!! YOU LEARN FROM MISTAKES BY MAKING IT RIGHT AND MURDER IS NOT THE WAY,,, THE GIFT OF A CHILD TO SOMEONE WOULD!!!

THE BEST WAY TO TEACH THE YOUNG AND STUPID IS TO MAKE THEM REALIZE WHAT THEY DID IS WRONG. CHILDBIRTH WOULD BE THE BEST LESSON!!!

By Mark

I am pro-choice. I do not like Chelsea Handler and never did. She was not wrong to have an abortion at 16 she's wrong thinking you have to tell the world about it. It is no ones buisness. Abortion is a woman's issue period. Abortion is not murder having the child and adding to the already over populated world with a kid you don't want is the real wrong doing. No teenager should have a child, with all the problems society has children having children should not be one of them. I would never have an abortion if I were a woman but I would be glad to have a choice.

By Antonia

If I end up no longer wanting one of my children because (s)he is misbehaving too much, then, should I murder him/her? The world is overpopulated, after all. The minute I stop wanting to raise the child and feel too burdened by them is the minute that their life adds nothing further to the world, right? They are just taking up valuable resources from other people who are "wanted"?

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Life begins at birth! If you think anything else you are a bible- thumping idiot. The issue has never been weather or not abortion is wrong, of course it is. It is not a great choice but it still needs to be a choice women can make for themselves. The issue is weather not not it should be legal. Well I think it always will be and it should be. Never let government decide such a personal and moral issue. Women have the right.

By tracey

18 days after conception is when the heart starts beating, brain waves being at 6 weeks, and a 9 weeks the structure for pain develops. Most women have abortions around that time. When your heartbeat stops that is when you die, so why would it be when your heatbeat starts, you are not a life? I am NOT nor nowhere near a bible thumping person. I personally do NOT believe in abortion at all, with the exception of a life or death situation, or rape. BUT I would NEVER condemn someone for having one, as they have a choice, its just not a choice I would make. What I do not believe in are people who use abortion as a form of birth control having one after another. If you have had more than 3 ( I am being generous) they should just tie your tubes and get it over with, you don't deserve to have a child then. But once you have a heartbeat, you have life. Just as once yours stops your life ends.

By A.

People who diss the television show "16 and Pregnant" obviously haven't seen the show. It doesn't glamorize pregnancy at all, it just shows the hardships that go along with it, the sacrifices that are made along with the process of bringing another life into the world. Perhaps Chelsea handler doesn't like the show because it makes her feel guilty.

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