Celebrity Parents Lily Allen Loves Her 2 Kids but Jokes They 'Totally Ruined' Her Career: 'You Can't Have It All' Allen shares daughters Ethel Mary, 12, and Marnie Rose, 11, with her ex-husband Sam Cooper By Gabrielle Rockson Gabrielle Rockson Gabrielle Rockson is a staff writer-reporter for PEOPLE. She joined PEOPLE in 2023 and covers entertainment and human interest stories. She's interviewed David Beckham, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet and many others. Her previous work can be found in OK! Magazine, MyLondon, GRM Daily, and more. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 12, 2024 10:45AM EDT Lily Allen at the Burberry Winter 2024 show during London Fashion Week . Photo: Dave Benett/Getty Images Lily Allen is speaking her truth about parenthood. “My children ruined my career,” Allen, 38, said while laughing on the Radio Times Podcast to host Kelly-Anne Taylor and presenter Miquita Oliver. “I love them and they complete me, but in terms of pop stardom, totally ruined it,” she jokingly added. “It really annoys me when people say you can have it all because, quite frankly, you can’t,” continued Allen, who married Stranger Things star David Harbour in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 2020. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Lily Allen with daughters Marnie Rose Cooper (L) Ethel Cooper (2nd R), and husband David Harbour. ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images Lily Allen Reveals Return to Darker Hair in Airport Selfie — See Her Look “Some people choose their career over their children, and that’s their prerogative. But my parents were quite absent when I was a kid, and I feel like that really left some nasty scars that I’m not willing to, you know, repeat on mine.” “So I chose stepping back and concentrating on them and I’m glad that I have done that because I think they’re pretty well-rounded people,” she continued. “Fingers f---ing crossed.” All About Lily Allen's Brother, Game of Thrones Actor Alfie Allen Allen shares daughters Ethel Mary, 12, and Marnie Rose, 11, with her ex-husband Sam Cooper. The star married Cooper in 2011 but divorced in 2018. Meanwhile, on Tuesday Allen also announced the launch of a new podcast with pal Oliver, 39. Titled Miss Me?, the show will be available on BBC Sounds from Thursday. “MISS ME?” Podcast Coming this Thursday! And if you can’t wait till then there’s a teaser on BBCSOUNDS now 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️,” Allen wrote in her Instagram caption alongside a poster and teaser of the show. Lily Allen performing at the Glastonbury Festival on June 25, 2022. Joseph Okpako/WireImage In the first snap, Oliver placed her hand on top of Allen’s shoulder while looking at the camera, while the “Smile” singer looked to the side. “Come thruuuuuuuu…. ✨✨@lilyallen is my friend from birth," Oliver added in her caption as she shared the post on her Instagram page. "This is a podcast about friendship. And the extraordinary and ordinary of all of our lives….. MISS ME…? First episode drops Thursday on @bbcsounds or WHEREVER YOU WANT. 👋🏽,”