The woman identified as the real-life “Madeline” in Lily Allen’s latest album has broken her silence — accusing the singer of profiting from false narratives and insisting she has been turned into a character against her will.
The backlash comes just days after Lily appeared on Saturday Night Live, performing her scathing track Madeline — a song widely believed to detail the breakdown of her marriage to Stranger Things actor David Harbour.
Following the performance, the woman at the centre of the controversy — now confirmed to be Natalie Tippett — took to Instagram to firmly deny claims that she had a three-year affair with Harbour, and to express distress at how she has been portrayed in Lily’s music.
In a series of posts shared on Sunday, Natalie said she had hoped to remain silent, but felt forced to speak out as the story continued to circulate.
“I was hoping not to speak on this,” she wrote, “but I am tired of this false narrative being pushed and circulated.”
Natalie explained that what Lily’s album depicts as a major betrayal was, in her own life, “a marginal part” — one that has now become a disruptive public ordeal.
“This was such a small part of my life,” she said, “but it’s now turned into a major disruption.”
Addressing the central allegation directly, Natalie was unequivocal.
“I did not have a three-year affair with anyone,” she stated.
She added that she was confused as to why she was being portrayed in such a way, claiming that the messages referenced in Lily’s songs do not support the narrative being told — and that they were used without her consent.
“I’m unsure why this person wants so badly to pit people against me or create this narrative that we both know is false,” she wrote. “The same messages I have saved have now been referenced in a song without my consent.”
Natalie also made clear that she refuses to place blame on another woman for the actions of a man — particularly within the context of an open relationship.
“I don’t weaponise women against women for the behaviour of men,” she said. “Especially not in an open relationship.”
Despite her anger, Natalie struck a measured tone, wishing Lily well while distancing herself from the drama.
“I’m wishing her all the success, money, healing and happiness she’s seeking through this,” she wrote.
However, she admitted that speaking out comes with consequences — particularly as a single mother — but felt she had no choice.
“I’m aware of the repercussions of speaking out,” she continued. “But I’m having to watch someone profit off painful lies.”
She concluded with a stark reminder:
“I’m a human being — not a character someone created.”
Lily Allen and David Harbour split last December, following reports that the actor had been involved in a three-year affair. Lily later revealed that their marriage was open, with details seemingly laid bare across her 14-track album West End Girl, released in October.
Several songs on the album appear to take aim at David — and at a woman referred to as “Madeline,” now identified as Natalie.
The track Madeline is written as a direct address to the woman Lily believed David had been involved with, while Tennis contains lyrics questioning the nature of the relationship.
Lily sings:
“How long has it been going on? Is it just sex or is there emotion?”
And later:
“You won’t play with me and who the f*** is Madeline?”
The couple were together for around six years, having met in 2019 and married in 2020, before separating in late 2024.
As the album continues to spark headlines — and Natalie’s response adds a new layer to the narrative — the fallout from Lily and David’s split appears far from over.
