RHONY’s Erin Lichy Calls US Abortion Laws ‘Very Upsetting’ After Sharing Her Own Experience

The Real Housewives of New York star Erin Lichy has branded US abortion laws ‘very upsetting’ after opening up about her own termination. 

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, thus ending the constitutional right to abortion and returning the authority to regulate or ban abortion to individual states. Since it was overturned, 12 states have banned abortion. 

Reality star Erin, 38, publicly revealed last year that she had an abortion at the age of 18, two weeks into starting university. 

In an episode which aired in November 2024, Erin spoke about her abortion during a lunch scene with her co-star Jenna Lyons. 

Now, Erin has spoken out about her feelings on the recent law changes on abortion in the US and how shocking it has been for her. 

Speaking on The Smarter Podcast on Monday, Erin said: ‘I’m very, very passionate about it, like, something that has been very upsetting for me to watch is what’s been unfolding in this country. 

‘I can’t even believe… I’m actually shocked that we’re here. So it was just important for me to share that and hopefully make some sort of difference.’

Erin went on to say how ‘gratifying’ it has been to receive an outpouring of support from fans after opening up, as she revealed that many have reached out to her to say that her speaking up encouraged them to talk to their parents.  

She said: ‘I told a very, very personal story last season about an abortion that I had, and the amount of outpouring of messages and people saying how alone they felt and how they never wanted to tell their dad. 

‘And then they saw the show, and then now they’ve told their dad. I was just so beautiful. 

‘So it really is like a gratifying experience being able to share that kind of stuff.’

In scenes which aired last year, Erin revealed she was approached by Glamour magazine to give an interview about abortion rights, which is when she spoke about her own.

‘We were talking about policies, and I was saying how upset I am that Roe V. Wade fell, and I was just opening up to her about what I went through,’ Erin said.

‘And she was like, “Well, you’d be really surprised. Nobody talks about it”.’

Erin told her co-star Jenna Lyons she was ‘proud’ of her for speaking so openly about it.

She then admitted to being ‘scared’ of the reception she’d get, but Jenna insisted more people would thank her for telling her story.

Erin explained: ‘I start school, I’m two weeks in, I move in, and all of a sudden, I find out I’m pregnant. I was terrified. 

‘It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. It was heart wrenching.’

Jenna then revealed she had also had an abortion, as she said: ‘Well, when I was 21, we were, you know, doing the thing. 

‘And I said, “Listen, like, you have to pull out, you have to pull out.” It’s like literally the prime time. And he got excited, and he forgot. I can picture it exactly where we were. It makes my voice shake. I would have a kid now who’s like…’ 

Erin admitted: ‘I know. I think about it all the time.’

Jenna explained: ‘I just started a job. I just moved to New York. I had no money. I was so broke, and I am just starting my career. I cannot take care of a child.’

She then said in a confessional clip: ‘I’ve told my friends. I don’t know if I ever told anyone in my family. 

‘I’m sharing with Erin. I think because I could see that she felt scared and I want her to feel like she’s not alone. 

‘And I also want her to know that I understand. It’s a really, really hard thing to go through.’

Meanwhile Erin said in her confessional: ‘Jenna telling me this story, it just made me feel like I’m supported, you know? 

‘Like, you’re now telling everyone your story, which I could have never imagined. You know, she didn’t have to do that.’