Lily Allen's 'no regrets' about speaking up on political issues

Lily Allen says she has no regrets about using her pop star status to address big issues like the Calais migrant crisis.

There was a backlash after her recent visit to the camp, but Lily says it was "necessary".

Speaking to Radio 1's Annie Mac in the latest edition of The Exchange, Lily says it is her "responsibility" to take action.

And she thinks too many stars stay silent on big issues in society.

"It's sad that there are so many people within our society that are so fearful of minority groups or of vulnerable people."

"When I talk openly about those things I'm not setting out to inspire people, it's because I'm usually talking about or trying to highlight a situation I believe in and usually where vulnerable people are concerned.

"I knew full well there was going to be a fallout from the mainstream media but I feel empowered by it, rather than upset by it."

She also revealed she had experienced the fallout on a more personal level when a taxi driver refused to drive her and her children due to her stance on migrants.

She tweeted he had called her a "stupid tart".

She asked Twitter followers to help her "stamp out stupid horrible ignorance".

She reckons other people in the public eye avoid getting involved in political issues because they fear it will damage their career.

"If you want to make millions of pounds and please everyone you won't say anything, but if you want to make changes and the only way to do it is to talk - and to do it in your music."

However, attempts to write more political songs have ended up sounding "preachy".

Lily apologised on behalf of the UK when she visited the Calais camp.

"Where I haven't succeeded in getting my point across in music, I also have a platform with my Twitter, my Instagram and my Snapchat," she explains.

"There's a good chance that what I do say will end up helping some people, so why wouldn't I do that?"

The Exchange is on Radio 1 on Wednesday at 7pm. Lily Allen will discuss the week's big issues in music with Annie Mac, alongside guests Christine & The Queens and Kano.

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