Lily Rose Beatrice Allen, born on May 2, 1985, is an English singer-songwriter and actress.
She rose to prominence in 2005 after signing with Regal Recordings and promoting her music on Myspace, which led to airplay on BBC Radio 1.
Her debut single, “Smile,” topped the UK Singles Chart in 2006 and received double platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
That same year, she released her first album, “Alright, Still,” which featured ska and reggae influences, garnered critical acclaim, and sold over 2.6 million copies globally.
FACTS ABOUT LILY ALLEN
- FULL NAME: Lily Rose Beatrice Allen
- DATE OF BIRTH: May 2, 1985
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Hammersmith, London, England
- NATIONALITY: British
- OCCUPATIONS: Singer, Songwriter, Actress
- LABELs: London,
Regal,
Capitol,
Warner Bros.
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Born in Hammersmith, West London, Allen is the daughter of Welsh actor Keith Allen and British film producer Alison Owen.
She has an older sister named Sarah, a younger brother named Alfie (who is referenced in her song “Alfie”), and a younger sister named Rebecca.
Raised by her mother, a devout Catholic from Portsmouth, Allen experienced an unconventional upbringing that included living in a council estate and spending time with comedian Harry Enfield, who was in a relationship with her mother.
Despite attending several schools and encountering various obstacles, Allen found her love for music early on, which prompted her to leave school at the age of fifteen to pursue a music career.
CAREER
During a vacation in Ibiza, Lily Allen worked at a record store and sold ecstasy at the age of 15, which eventually led her to a career in music.
She was signed in 2005 after gaining popularity on Myspace, and her debut album, “Alright, Still,” featuring hit singles like “Smile,” received critical acclaim.
At the 2007 Glastonbury Festival, Allen’s performance brought The Specials back together and opened doors for collaborations with artists such as Mark Ronson.
Her success continued with performances at charity events and accolades from the music industry.
After EMI was acquired by Terra Firma, Lily Allen switched her management to Twenty-First Artists while keeping her core team intact.
For her second album, she faced difficulties with songwriters and producers but eventually reunited with Greg Kurstin in Los Angeles, aiming for a more unified sound.
Despite facing challenges, she released her successful album “It’s Not Me, It’s You” in February 2009, which topped the charts in the UK, Canada, and Australia, and reached number five in the US. The lead single, “The Fear,” became a chart sensation, and Allen set off on a world tour.
Lily Allen was also involved in charitable activities, collaborating with Jamie Hince to support The Hoping Foundation, and she received a BMI Pop Song Award for her popular song “The Fear.”
In September 2009, she hinted at pursuing an acting career and suggested she might step back from music by choosing not to renew her record contract.
After a short break, she teamed up with Professor Green for the hit “Just Be Good to Green” in June 2010 and later contributed to T-Pain’s “5 O’Clock,” which became her first Top 10 hit in the US in 2011.
In 2012, Allen collaborated with Greg Kurstin and changed her stage name to Lily Rose Cooper.
During this time, she worked with Pink, performed live in Paris, and reverted to her original name, Lily Allen, in 2013.
She released new music, including the UK number one hit “Somewhere Only We Know.”
After her album “Sheezus,” she encountered creative challenges and sought more control over her work in her album “No Shame,” produced with Mark Ronson.
Released in June 2018, the album delved into personal themes and received critical acclaim, earning a nomination for the Mercury Prize and leading to the No Shame Tour.
In April 2019, Lily Allen announced plans for a concept album, and her next release in March 2020 briefly addressed her past struggles with addiction.
At the 2022 Glastonbury Festival, Lily Allen’s performance of “Fuck You” alongside Olivia Rodrigo served as a protest against a Supreme Court decision on abortion, earning acclaim for its powerful delivery.
Reflecting on the experience, Allen admitted she was unsure about returning to such a platform without being under the influence after nearly three years.
When she began working in a studio later in 2022, she found the music creation process felt unnatural.
As of 2024, Allen had recorded approximately 50 songs for her upcoming project, which is still in progress.
PERSONAL LIFE
Lily Allen has two daughters, Ethel and Marnie, from her previous marriage to Sam Cooper.
The couple married in 2011 but divorced in 2018. In 2020, Lily Allen married American actor David Harbour.