Robbie Williams reportedly confided in Nicole Appleton, his then-partner, that her pregnancy was “saving his life.” However, the couple faced significant pressure from Williams’ record label to terminate the pregnancy, as they believed it would interfere with his burgeoning solo career.
Appleton, who was a member of All Saints at the time, has previously spoken about the emotional toll of the situation and the difficult decision she ultimately made. Williams has also reflected on this period, expressing regret over the circumstances and the impact it had on both their lives.
The incident highlights the intense pressures and personal sacrifices often faced by artists in the entertainment industry.
Robbie Williams, 50, and Nicole Appleton, 49, were once secretly preparing to become parents in the late 90s. However, Nicole later had an abortion after facing significant pressure from All Saints’ record company, which is depicted in Robbie’s biopic Better Man.
Despite the past, Robbie and Nicole have remained on good terms, and she was present at the film’s premiere in Leicester Square. At the afterparty, Robbie performed his song She’s The One and dedicated it to Nicole. Both Robbie and Nicole reportedly approved of the script, with Robbie expressing his admiration for her during the event, where his wife Ayda Field was also present.
In Better Man, Robbie Williams is depicted as a CGI monkey, symbolizing how he felt like a performing monkey during the height of his fame. Nicole Appleton, portrayed by actress Raechelle Banno, attended the film’s premiere with her sister Natalie, a fellow All Saints member.
The film explores Robbie’s obsession with fame, which strains his relationship with Nicole. One scene shows him abandoning her at an All Saints party to join Liam Gallagher on a night out, a relationship that would later lead to Gallagher marrying and divorcing Nicole. Another emotional scene depicts the couple decorating a nursery, followed by Nicole visiting an abortion clinic.
Holly Willoughby, who also attended the premiere, shared a video of Robbie performing at the afterparty at Lio London. During the event, Robbie gave a heartfelt shout-out to Nicole, saying, “Nicole Appleton is f**king brave for allowing us to tell that bit of the story,” before leading the crowd in a round of applause and performing his hit She’s The One.
