The woman widely identified as the 'Madeline' referenced in Lily Allen's latest album has publicly denied having an affair with the singer's ex-husband, actor David Harbour.
Who is the 'Real Madeline'?
Natalie Tippett, a US-based costume designer who worked with Harbour on the 2021 film We Have A Ghost, broke her silence via Instagram on Sunday, 14 December 2025. This follows media speculation linking her to the songs 'Tennis' and 'Madeline' from Allen's album West End Girl, which details the breakdown of her marriage to the Stranger Things star.
In her post, which did not directly name Allen or Harbour, Tippett firmly rejected the narrative. "I did not have a three year affair with anyone," she stated. She claimed she had been misquoted in a previous MailOnline article and insisted she "never gave an interview" on the subject.
Allegations of a 'Violated' Privacy
Tippett expressed distress over being dragged into the former couple's personal saga. "I'm unsure why this person wants so badly to pit people against me or create the narrative that we both know is false," she wrote, seemingly addressing Allen.
She referenced saved messages between herself and Harbour that she claims contradict the album's storyline, which she says were used "in a song without my consent." Tippett also condemned the public fallout, stating, "I don't weaponize women against women for the behaviour of men, especially not in an open relationship."
The designer revealed she has received threatening social media messages since the story emerged, leaving her feeling "extremely violated." She pleaded, "Please remember before you send hate my way, I'm a human being not a character someone created."
Allen's Artistic Narrative and SNL Cameo
Lily Allen released West End Girl in October 2025. In a press release, she described the album as a "mixture of fact and fiction." When questioned by The Times earlier this year, Allen called Madeline "a fictional character" and a "construct of others."
However, the song 'Madeline' includes pointed lyrics: "We had an arrangement / Be discreet and don't be blatant... But you're not a stranger, Madeline." The track concludes with a voice message from 'Madeline', which was dramatically brought to life during Allen's Saturday Night Live performance on 13 December 2025.
In a surprise cameo, actress Dakota Johnson reenacted the message from behind a curtain, saying, "He told me that you were aware this was going on... If he's lying about that, then please let me know." Johnson then kissed Allen on the cheek, concluding the performance.
Tippett ended her statement by wishing Allen "all the success, money, healing and happiness and whatever else she's seeking through this." Representatives for Lily Allen have been contacted for comment by The Independent.
