Hollywood actors, producers and writers have been some of the most vocal protesters against the reforms in abortion law happening in a number of American states.

The ‘heartbeat’ bill, as it is known, wants to restrict a woman’s access to an abortion after she is six weeks pregnant. It is terrifying for a few reasons. Firstly, many women don’t even know that they are pregnant at six weeks. But secondly – and more unsettling – the bill continues to pass through a number of different American state senates. Kentucky, Michigan, Iowa and Ohio have all passed the bill in 2019, with Georgia and Alabama passing their own iterations this month.

The reason Hollywood stars like Alyssa Milano, who spearheaded an open letter to Georgia lawmakers pleading with them to wheel back these draconian reforms, are responding so vehemently to the news is because Georgia is a key filming location for several film and television franchises. In 2018, some 455 movies and series were made in the state of Georgia, including five blockbuster Marvel movies. 

This is why Milla Jovovich has chosen to share the story of her “horrific” emergency abortion for the first time. The procedure took place two years ago when the Resident Evil actor was four and a half months pregnant and working on location in Eastern Europe.

“I went into pre-term labor and told that I had to be awake for the whole procedure,” Jovovich wrote in an Instagram post. “It was one of the most horrific experiences I have ever gone through. I still have nightmares about it. I was alone and helpless.”

Jovovich was moved to share her story while thinking about the women of Georgia who may have to “face abortions in even worse conditions than I did because of new laws”.

“I spiraled into one of the worst depressions of my life and had to work extremely hard to find my way out,” Jovovich wrote. “I took time off of my career. I isolated myself for months and had to keep a strong face for my two amazing kids. I started gardening, eating healthier and going to the gym every day… but the memory of what I went through and what I lost will be with me till the day I die.”

She continued: “Abortion is a nightmare at its best. No woman wants to go through that. But we have to fight to make sure our rights are preserved to obtain a safe one if we need to. I never wanted to speak about this experience. But I cannot remain silent when so much is at stake.” 

Though the bill has passed the senate, it still needs to make its way through the courts before it becomes law. Many expect the Supreme Court to block the Georgia reform, as they did earlier this year for a similar bill in Louisiana.

But it was only by a very small margin, and the case will be appealed later this year. And with the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch, conservative judges now hold a majority in the Supreme Court. At least we still have Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

Images: Getty