Born on May 2, 1985, Lily Rose Beatrice Allen is an English singer-songwriter and actress. She rose to fame in 2005 after signing with Regal Recordings and sharing her music on Myspace, leading to radio play on BBC Radio 1. Her debut single, “Smile,” topped the UK Singles Chart in 2006 and achieved double platinum status from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). With her debut album “Alright, Still” released the same year, Allen delved into ska and reggae music, earning critical acclaim and selling over 2.6 million copies worldwide.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Lily Rose Beatrice Allen |
| Date Of Birth: | May 2, 1985 |
| Place Of Birth: | Hammersmith, London, England |
| Nationality: | British |
| Spouse(s): | Sam Cooper (married 2011, div. 2018) David Harbour (2020 – present) |
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation(s): | Singer, Songwriter, Actress |
| Labels: | London, Regal, Capitol, Warner Bros. |
| Net Worth: | $4 Million |
Early Life And Education
Born on May 2, 1985, in Hammersmith, West London, Lily Allen is the daughter of Welsh actor Keith Allen and British film producer Alison Owen. She has older sister Sarah, younger brother Alfie (mentioned in her song “Alfie”), and younger sister Rebecca.
Raised by her mother, a devoutly Catholic woman from Portsmouth, Allen had an unconventional childhood that included living on a council estate and spending time with comedian Harry Enfield, who was dating her mother.
Despite attending multiple schools and facing various challenges, Allen discovered her passion for music at a young age, leading her to drop out of school at fifteen to pursue a career in music.
Career
While in Ibiza on vacation, Lily Allen worked at a record store and sold ecstasy at 15, later leading to a music career. Signed in 2005 after gaining attention on Myspace, her debut album “Alright, Still” with hit singles like “Smile” was praised.
At the Glastonbury Festival in 2007, Allen’s performance reunited The Specials and led to collaborations with artists like Mark Ronson. Allen’s success continued with appearances at charity concerts and recognition from music industry awards.
After EMI was taken over by Terra Firma, Lily Allen changed management to Twenty-First Artists but retained her core team. For her second album, she faced challenges with writers and producers before reuniting with Greg Kurstin in Los Angeles, aiming for a more cohesive sound.
Despite setbacks, she released her successful album “It’s Not Me, It’s You” in February 2009, reaching the top spot in the UK, Canada, and Australia and number 5 in the US. The album’s lead single, “The Fear,” became a chart-topper, and Allen embarked on a world tour.
She also engaged in charity work, teaming up with Jamie Hince to support The Hoping Foundation and winning a BMI Pop Song Award for her hit track “The Fear.”
In September 2009, Lily Allen announced a potential acting career and hinted at stepping away from music by not renewing her record contract. After a brief hiatus, she collaborated with Professor Green on the hit “Just Be Good to Green” in June 2010 and contributed to T-Pain’s song “5 O’Clock,” her first US Top 10 hit in 2011.
In 2012, Allen worked with Greg Kurstin and changed her name to Lily Rose Cooper. She released music with Pink, performed live in Paris, and later reverted to Lily Allen in 2013, creating new music and earning a UK number one with “Somewhere Only We Know.”
Following her album “Sheezus,” she faced a creative struggle and sought autonomy in her album “No Shame” with Mark Ronson. The album, released in June 2018, explored personal themes and earned critical praise, leading to a Mercury Prize nomination and a supporting No Shame Tour.
In April 2019, Lily Allen revealed plans for a concept album, with her subsequent album in March 2020 only briefly touching on past addiction struggles.
At Glastonbury Festival 2022, Allen’s performance of “Fuck You” with Olivia Rodrigo protested a Supreme Court ruling on abortion, garnering praise for its intensity. Reflecting on the event, Allen expressed uncertainty about returning to such a stage sober after nearly three years.
While beginning work in a studio session later in 2022, she felt the music creation process was unnatural. As of 2024, Allen had recorded around 50 songs for her upcoming project, which remains ongoing.
Personal Life
Lily Allen has two daughters, Ethel and Marnie, from her previous marriage to Sam Cooper. The couple tied the knot in 2011 but later divorced in 2018. In 2020, Lily Allen married American actor David Harbour.
Lily Allen Net Worth
Lily Allen, the English singer, songwriter, and actress, possesses a net worth of $4 million.
Discography
Albums
- Alright, Still (2006)
- It’s Not Me, It’s You (2009)
- Sheezus (2014)
- No Shame (2018)
Notable songs
- Smile
- LDN
- The Fear
- Not Fair
- Hard Out Here
- Somewhere Only We Know (cover)
- Fuck You
- Air Balloon
- Lost My Mind
- Trigger Bang
- Family Man
- 5 O’Clock (with T-Pain)
- Just Be Good to Green (featuring Professor Green)
- Alfie
