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 pat

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Every child has the God given right to be WANTED, LOVED, CARED FOR, and have "2" PARENTS, preferrably married. If those things are not in place, then DO NOT bring that child into the world. Too many unwanted children are neglected, abused, left to Grandma to raise, and treated very badly. Best that they are not born. Thank God women can choose.

By puddingtane

The whole point is, it was her choice and the fact she doesn't regret it is proof it was the right thing for her. Perhaps we should all remember it was the bible that said, "judge not, lest you be judged!" Chelsea is honest and that is hard considering the subject matter. I happen to agree that the "16 and pregnant" show glorifies teenage pregnancy, and makes stars out of these girls, which is not cool.

By makeredhappy

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Good for Chelsea, she did the right think at the right time! All the wrong people are having kids anyway....like on that show "16 and Pregnant"....have you seen those fat ugly girls and all the mixed breed kids they're having? Is this in any way GOOD for America??? No sense, no education, no money, no job....

By Greg

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@Susan... Shouldn't force your views on another? How about forcing your views upon a defenseless baby? That's the epitome of forcing one's views upon another. Funny how when a woman has a planned pregnancy, we call it a baby but when it's an unplanned and unwanted baby we reduce it to tissue. It's illegal to kill a bald eagle embrio in its egg but we have no problem killing an unborn human. Call it what you want, its MURDER.

By Annie

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Why is it that teenagers cannot say 'no' to sex? Until drugs really creeped into our culture from the '70's on, if you knew one girl pregnant in high school, that was a lot. She also was not allowed to stay in school but when to an 'unwed mother's home'. Our parents ruled the home and knew where we were at all times because they CARED. We kids were resentful but that's how kids react. As adults today, we are so grateful. Of course, our parents had more rights than today's parents do. Life is so out of whack today it's scary to think what it'll be like in the future.

By renee

why does she think anyone is even interested in what she has to say anyway

By Hana

"why does she think anyone is even interested in what she has to say anyway"

Because she sells a lot of Books! Because people like Rene click on stories about her, and post Blogs!

Admit it Rene, your interested in Chelsea Handler!

By Debi Drecksler

Reading Chelsea's confession made me sad...We live in such a quick fix world!

By ivcruiser

baby killer..

By Digit

To all you anti-abortionists....we don't need anymore deadbeats living off of my (and other workers) tax dollars!! Get a dang abortion if you can't afford a kid, or if you are pregnant and don't want one.

Besides...a little population control now will go along way in the future.

By shaeri

What choice did that baby being sucked into a sink have? The mature thing would to not get pregnant in the first place. Or give it up for adoption. Adoption is loving. Abortion is not.

By Torrence

Just another you know what! Hey girls, did you ever think of waiting......Oh never mind, there aren't any guys out there worth it. The youth today know nothing about morals because neither do their parents. And guess what neither will THEIR kids. Just an endless cycle of morons.

By ESyl

I am glad that someone admits it,
So many things like this go un announce, and makes everyone not realize there is another choice than just two choices.

I got pregnant, when I was 17, about to graduate from high school. I admit to having an abortion because my ex was adopted when he was baby, his mother was a hooker and his dad raped her,

He grew up in a unfit family, still don't know how his adopted mother was able to adopt him.
His mother and father, are drunks, and abusive.

He suffers from depression, and addicted to drugs and an alcoholic.
Hes a smart kid, but he was put into a home that didn't care for him after he started high school,
they let him go down the wrong path.

I choose not to give my baby up for an adoption because the father was put into a unfit family, and I did not want my baby to go through what he haves to.

I don't trust the adoption system.

By Sarah

Thank you Chelsea for being who you are and stating what was just a part of your life as you grew up.
It is one of two brave CHOICES you could have made at 16 years old in a scary situation and that's all it is.

By Andy

Go hump your bible, anti-abortionists. That's what you're good at, so stick with it:)

By MattMinSanDiego

WOW what a loser. She says it makes me want to kill someone, well she already did, when she was 16 and had an abortion. How can you criticize someone for not having an abortion or being 16 and pregnant? She was 16 and pregnant.
In the words of Dan Akroyd (SNL point counter poit with Jane curtain) If I was around when her mother was pregnant with her I would have done the abortion myself.

How would she have liked that?

By lisa

I love right to lifers. Generally, they are big fans of capital punishment too, making them total hypocrites. Yes, it is true, some of those death row inmates are innocent. In the not too distant past, women were also not allowed to buy birth control pills unless two factors were met: 1) They were married and 2) Their husbands gave their consent. Thank G-d for choice. All those that say this one should have given birth or that one should need reminding that they are not the people who will raise those babies, but their tax dollars would. Good for Chelsea. She absolutely did what was best for her and, fortunately, she had the choice.

By mixnmatch4

Thank GOD! One less of her spawn lurking in the wings. She a skank! Know what a skank is? Look hard at her! That's what a skank is!

By Grad2011

She had every right to get that abortion. Keep your religious views out of females vaginas... Every women has the right to make their own choices. I have never had an abortion but I know that I can if God forbid I need one. Were all humans and we all make mistakes. She made a mistake and did what she needed to do at the time. Why regret and hate a child? That would be so unfair to the child. I understand there are people who want to adopt but there are girls who do not choose abortion. She is allowed to choose what is right for her. So keep your religious judgemental views out of females personal lives. The only one who has the right to judge is God. As the bible says, "let he who is without sin, cast the first stone"-- John 8:7

By AnnSka

The bible also says that life begins at conception. Dont bother quoting scripture if you are only using it for a selfish attack. You are a hypocrite and brain washed by the worlds views. Just because the majority may rule does not make you right in Gods eyes. Oh yea and for your info...."I know that I can if God forbid I need one" um...as far as we all know He did forbid it, "thou shall not kill."

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