Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder’s comments on birth control have caused fury online. The pair took part in an episode of the Informed Pregnancy podcast with Dr. Elliot Berlin, where they talked about their new lives as parents and how Nikki fell pregnant.
When the episode aired on September 20 the couple revealed that Ian threw out his wife’s birth control pills because he really wanted to start trying for a baby.
Ian said, “She didn't realise that I was going to go in her purse and take out her birth control."
This remark caused huge controversy online, many people described his actions as “reproductive coercion.”
The pair released a statement on their individual Twitter accounts apologising for the offense they caused.
They said women’s rights are extremely important to them and did not mean to cause such controversy, “It is something we’ve been very vocal about, and something that is very close to our hearts.”
They then went on to say that they understand that birth control is an extremely sensitive topic and they did not intend disrespect women and their right to use birth control.
The couple reassured fans that they both wanted to start a family. It was a mutual decision, “We chose together to get pregnant.”
They then went on to say that they have a healthy relationship, “We are two happily married people who chose together to have a baby.”
Nikki and Ian both admitted that they are somewhat glad this controversy occurred as it has shed a light on a very serious topic that needs to be spoken about.
They said, “If this somehow sheds light on a topic that definitely needs mainstream attention, then we are grateful for the unintended consequence.”
They agreed that even though Ian’s comment started a conversation about reproductive coercion, they do not want to be associated with it. They believe that they are not the right people to represent such a serious matter, “We are certainly not qualified to be the faces of this topic.”
Nikki was initially furious over the media storm her husband’s comment caused and tweeted, ““WOMEN'S RIGHTS MATTER, so please don't use false narratives to highlight issues that are truly important!” the day before.
Their response to the backlash has been met with forgiveness online.
Fans understood the pair when they said they didn’t expect such a light-hearted interview to cause such a great deal of offence.
Ian and Nikki welcomed their first child, a daughter named Bodhi Soleil on July 25 2017.
