Lily Rose Beatrice Allen is an English singer-songwriter and actress. She debuted her music career in 2005 on Myspace and with Regal Recordings. Her debut single "Smile" (2006) topped the UK Singles Chart and went double platinum. Her debut album, "Alright, Still" (2006), a mix of ska and reggae, reached number two on the UK Albums Chart, sold over 2.6 million copies globally, and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. The album also featured the singles "LDN" and "Alfie".
May 1985: Birth and Family
Lily Allen was born in May 1985 in Hammersmith, West London to Keith Allen and Alison Owen. She has an older sister, a younger brother, and a younger sister.
May 1985: Lily Allen is born
Lily Rose Beatrice Allen was born in May 1985, the daughter of actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen.
1998: Film Appearance in 'Elizabeth'
In 1998, Lily Allen made a brief appearance as a lady-in-waiting in the film 'Elizabeth', which was co-produced by her mother.
1998: Early Musical Experiences and Leaving School
In 1998, a young Lily Allen appeared in the music video for the Fat Les song "Vindaloo." She left school at fifteen to pursue music, having already achieved high grades in piano and singing.
2001: Early Recording Experience
In 2001, Lily Allen recorded vocals for "On Me Head Not Off Me Head," a song written by her father for the film "Mike Bassett: England Manager."
2002: Collaboration with Fat Les and Label Rejection
Lily Allen was featured on the Fat Les song "Who Invented Fish and Chips" in 2002. She faced setbacks as she was rejected by several record labels.
2004: Meeting Future Cut
Lily Allen's manager introduced her to production duo Future Cut in 2004, marking a pivotal moment in her musical journey.
November 2005: Myspace Success
Lily Allen began posting demos on Myspace in November 2005, garnering thousands of listeners and catching the attention of the music industry.
2005: Lily Allen's Musical Beginnings
In 2005, Lily Allen's musical career began when she signed with Regal Recordings and started sharing her music on Myspace.
July 2006: "Alright, Still" Release
Lily Allen released her debut album, "Alright, Still," in July 2006, featuring popular tracks like "Smile," "LDN," "Knock 'Em Out," and "Alfie."
September 2006: US iTunes Release
"Smile" was released on the US iTunes Store in September 2006, expanding Lily Allen's reach to American audiences.
December 2006: "Smile" Gains Traction
Lily Allen's music video for "Smile" gained significant airplay and attention on various music channels by December 2006.
2006: "Smile" Tops the Charts and Debut Album Release
Lily Allen's debut single "Smile" reached number one in the UK in July 2006. Her debut album, "Alright, Still," was also released in 2006, receiving critical acclaim and achieving double platinum certification.
January 2007: US Album Release and MTV Promotion
"Alright, Still" was officially released in the US in January 2007, debuting at number 20 on the Billboard 200. Lily Allen was also promoted as MTV's Discover and Download artist of the month.
June 2007: Arrest for Alleged Assault
Lily Allen was arrested in June 2007 for allegedly assaulting a photographer outside a London nightclub, an incident that followed her expressions of discomfort with paparazzi attention.
July 2007: Glastonbury Performance and Concert for Diana
In July 2007, Lily Allen played at Glastonbury Festival, replacing MIA. She also performed at the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium.
September 2007: Relationship with Ed Simons Begins
Lily Allen began dating musician Ed Simons of the Chemical Brothers in September 2007.
January 2008: Miscarriage and Breakup
Lily Allen announced a miscarriage in January 2008, which she later revealed in her 2018 memoir, 'My Thoughts Exactly,' to have been fabricated due to fears of media scrutiny. Her relationship with Ed Simons ended shortly after.
June 2008: Glastonbury Festival Performance
On 29 June 2008, Lily Allen performed at the Glastonbury Festival alongside producer Mark Ronson. The performance was emotionally charged as she dedicated her song "Littlest Things" to her grandmother, who had passed away the night before.
2008: Television Debut
Lily Allen made her television debut in 2008, hosting her own talk show, "Lily Allen and Friends," on BBC Three.
2008: Grammy Recognition and Songwriting Award
Lily Allen's collaboration with Mark Ronson on "Littlest Things" contributed to Ronson winning the "Producer of the Year – Non Classical" Grammy Award in 2008. She also won a BMI songwriting award for "Smile" in the same year.
2008: Beginning of Stalking Ordeal
Lily Allen's seven-year stalking ordeal began in 2008 when Alex Gray contacted her claiming to have written her song "The Fear".
January 2009: Album Sales Milestone
By January 2009, "Alright, Still" had sold almost a million copies in the UK and over half a million in the US.
February 2009: Withdrawal from Online Controversies
By February 2009, Lily Allen decided to stop addressing controversies on her blog, citing the negative impact on those involved.
May 2009: Fake Interview and Legal Action
Lily Allen took legal action against French football magazine So Foot and British tabloid The Sun in May 2009 for publishing a fabricated interview containing derogatory remarks attributed to her. Both publications issued apologies and paid damages.
July 2009: Relationship with Sam Cooper Begins
Lily Allen began dating builder and decorator Sam Cooper in July 2009.
September 2009: Career Change Announcement
In September 2009, Lily Allen announced that she was considering a career in acting and that she would not renew her record contract. She also mentioned having no plans to make another record.
September 2009: Face of the National Portrait Gallery
Lily Allen became the face of the National Portrait Gallery in 2009 as part of their marketing campaign, with her picture taken by photographer Nadav Kander.
October 2009: Social Media Detox
Lily Allen deleted her social media accounts in October 2009, declaring herself a 'neo-luddite,' but reactivated them four months later.
October 2009: Digital Music Petition for Climate Change
In October 2009, Lily Allen joined other musicians in releasing the world's first digital music petition to urge world leaders to address climate change at the Copenhagen summit in December 2009. The petition featured a cover of Midnight Oil's 'Beds Are Burning.'
December 2009: Climate Change Summit
The climate change summit that Lily Allen's petition was aimed at took place in Copenhagen in December 2009.
2009: The Specials Reunion
Lily Allen's reunion of two members of The Specials at Glastonbury in 2007 is credited with playing a significant role in the band's full reunion in 2009.
2009: "It's Not Me, It's You" and Critical Acclaim
Lily Allen released her second studio album, "It's Not Me, It's You," in 2009. The album marked a shift towards electropop and topped the UK Albums Chart, solidifying her musical evolution and earning her further critical recognition.
2009: 'Lily Allen and Friends' TV Show
In 2009, Lily Allen presented her own BBC Three TV show, 'Lily Allen and Friends'. Despite a large marketing campaign, the show was not renewed for a second season due to Allen's busy music career.
February 2010: Return to Social Media
Lily Allen returned to social media in February 2010, four months after her self-imposed hiatus.
June 2010: Collaborates with Professor Green
In June 2010, Lily Allen featured on the UK top five single "Just Be Good to Green" by Professor Green.
August 2010: Pregnancy Announcement
In August 2010, Lily Allen announced her pregnancy with Sam Cooper, revealing they were expecting a boy.
September 2010: Launch of 'Lucy in Disguise' Clothing Store
Lily Allen and her sister opened a clothing store called 'Lucy in Disguise' in September 2010.
September 2010: Last Performance
In September 2010, Lily Allen gave her last performance for two and a half years, supporting Muse at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
October 2010: BMI Pop Song Award
In October 2010, Lily Allen won her second BMI Pop Song Award for the extensive United States radio airplay of her song "The Fear".
November 2010: Legal Action Against Daily Mail
Lily Allen took legal action against Associated Newspapers, the parent company of the Daily Mail, in November 2010 over the publication of photographs of her home, citing invasion of privacy and copyright infringement.
December 2010: Engagement
Sam Cooper proposed to Lily Allen in December 2010 while they were on holiday in Bali.
2010: BRIT Award Win
Lily Allen's success in 2010 led to her winning the Brit Award for British Female Solo Artist.
June 2011: Marriage and Pregnancy Announcement
Lily Allen and Sam Cooper married on June 11, 2011. It was confirmed that Allen was several months pregnant on their wedding day.
September 2011: US Top 10 Hit
In September 2011, T-Pain used a verse from Lily Allen's "Who'd Have Known" as the chorus for his song "5 O'Clock", which also featured Wiz Khalifa. The song reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking Allen's first Top 10 single in the United States.
2011: Record Label Launch
In 2011, Lily Allen established her own record label, "In the Name Of."
2011: Stillbirth and Septicaemia
Lily Allen experienced a stillbirth in 2011 and was later hospitalized and treated for septicaemia.
June 2012: New Music in Studio
In June 2012, Lily Allen confirmed she was back in the studio working with Greg Kurstin on new music.
February 2013: Paris Fashion Show Performance
In February 2013, Lily Allen performed live at a Paris fashion show produced by Mark Ronson, marking what she called her "mumback" and hinting at a new album inspired by her motherhood experiences.
August 2013: Professional Name Change
In August 2013, Lily Allen changed her professional name back to Lily Allen and announced that new music would be arriving soon.
November 2013: Cover of 'Somewhere Only We Know'
In November 2013, Lily Allen recorded a cover of Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know" for the John Lewis Christmas advert. The single reached number one in the UK singles chart on 24 November.
November 2013: 'Hard out Here' Video Controversy
Lily Allen faced accusations of racism for her music video 'Hard out Here' released in November 2013, with critics taking issue with the use of mostly Black dancers in the video's satirical take on the objectification of women in pop music. Allen defended her creative choices, stating that ethnicity was not a factor in casting.
2013: Birth of Second Daughter and Postnatal Depression
Lily Allen gave birth to her second daughter, Marnie Rose, in 2013. She later revealed experiencing postnatal depression following the birth.
January 2014: Premiere of 'Air Balloon'
On 13 January 2014, Lily Allen premiered the song "Air Balloon" on BBC Radio 1. The song was released on 2 March 2014 as the second single from her third studio album Sheezus.
May 2014: Release of 'Sheezus'
The album Sheezus was released on 5 May 2014. Lily Allen performed at the Glastonbury Festival 2014 to promote the album.
2014: Identity Crisis
Following the release of Sheezus in 2014, Lily Allen experienced an identity crisis. She felt controlled by the music industry and decided to work on a new album addressing personal issues such as her relationship with her children and substance abuse.
2014: "Sheezus" Tops the Charts
In 2014, Lily Allen released her third album, "Sheezus," which reached the top of the UK Albums Chart.
2014: Addiction to Adderall
Lily Allen developed an addiction to Adderall in 2014, using it as a weight-loss method before embarking on a tour with Miley Cyrus.
2014: Infidelity
Lily Allen revealed in her memoir that she engaged in sexual encounters with female escorts in 2014 while married to Sam Cooper and on tour promoting her album 'Sheezus.'
2014: Closure of 'In the Name Of' Record Label
Lily Allen's record label 'In the Name Of' closed in 2014.
October 2015: Escalation of Stalking Ordeal
Lily Allen's stalker, Alex Gray, escalated his harassment in October 2015 by spending nights in her backyard, breaking into her bedroom, and leading to her relocation.
2015: Separation from Sam Cooper
Lily Allen and Sam Cooper separated in mid-2015 after Allen disclosed her infidelity to him.
April 2016: Support for Women's Equality Party
During the London elections in April 2016, Lily Allen publicly declared her support for the Women's Equality Party, stating she would split her vote between them and the Labour Party.
April 2016: Conviction of Stalker
Lily Allen's stalker, Alex Gray, was convicted of burglary and harassment in April 2016.
May 2016: Launch of Bank Holiday Records
Lily Allen launched her second record label, Bank Holiday Records, in May 2016, with British-American R&B singer Celeste among its early signees.
June 2016: Support for Jeremy Corbyn
Lily Allen showed her support for Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in June 2016 by posting tweets and attending protests following mass resignations from his cabinet and a leadership challenge.
November 2016: Apology for 'Hard out Here' Video
In November 2016, Lily Allen expressed regret over her 2013 music video 'Hard out Here,' acknowledging that her attempt at a feminist statement was flawed by assumptions.
February 2017: Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder
In February 2017, Lily Allen shared that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
February 2017: PTSD Diagnosis
In February 2017, Lily Allen shared that she had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the stillbirth of her child.
June 2017: Comments on Grenfell Tower Fire
Lily Allen appeared on Channel 4 News in June 2017 to discuss the Grenfell Tower fire, where she controversially claimed that the official death toll was being downplayed by the media.
2017: 'Dreamland' Short Film Release
'Dreamland', originally a short film starring Morgana Robinson, was released in 2017 and later developed into the comedy-drama series.
2017: Preparation for 'No Shame'
In late 2017, Lily Allen uploaded several new songs including "Family Man" in preparation for her album No Shame. She aimed to explore personal issues through music.
January 2018: Announcement of 'No Shame'
On 24 January 2018, Lily Allen announced her new album would be called No Shame. The album delves into topics like the breakdown of her marriage and substance abuse.
June 2018: Divorce Finalized
Lily Allen and Sam Cooper's divorce was finalized in June 2018, with the couple agreeing to share custody of their children.
June 2018: Release of 'No Shame'
No Shame was released on 8 June 2018. The album received positive reviews for its mature lyrical content and was nominated for a Mercury Prize. It became Allen's fourth consecutive top 10 album in Australia.
September 2018: Infidelity Disclosure and Media Criticism
In September 2018, Lily Allen publicly addressed her past infidelity, revealing details on Instagram ahead of a planned exposé by the Daily Mail. She criticized the media's portrayal of the events and linked her actions to postnatal depression and marital problems.
September 2018: Publication of Memoir 'My Thoughts Exactly'
Lily Allen's memoir, 'My Thoughts Exactly', was published in September 2018 by Blink Publishing, receiving critical acclaim and award nominations.
2018: Autobiographical Book Release
Lily Allen released her autobiography, "My Thoughts Exactly," in 2018.
2018: "No Shame" Release
Lily Allen's fourth album, "No Shame," peaked at number eight on the UK charts upon its release in 2018.
2018: Memoir Reveals Fabricated Miscarriage
In 2018, Lily Allen released her memoir, 'My Thoughts Exactly,' in which she admitted to fabricating a miscarriage in 2008.
April 2019: Working on Concept Album
In April 2019, Lily Allen revealed on Beats 1 radio that she was working on a new concept album.
July 2019: Film Appearance in 'How to Build a Girl'
In July 2019, Lily Allen appeared alongside her brother Alfie in the film 'How to Build a Girl', portraying Elizabeth Taylor.
November 2019: Support for Labour Party Manifesto
During the 2019 UK general election campaign, Lily Allen expressed strong support for the Labour Party's manifesto on social media.
2019: Film Debut
Lily Allen appeared in the film "How to Build a Girl" in 2019, marking her acting debut.
2019: Relationship with David Harbour Begins
Lily Allen began a relationship with actor David Harbour in 2019.
March 2020: Update on New Album
In March 2020, Lily Allen mentioned that her new album only includes occasional references to her past addictions, indicating a shift in her mental state.
September 2020: Marriage to David Harbour
Lily Allen and David Harbour married in a ceremony officiated by an Elvis impersonator in Las Vegas on September 7, 2020.
October 2020: Collaboration with Womanizer and Launch of 'Liberty' Sex Toy
In October 2020, Lily Allen partnered with sex tech company Womanizer to create 'Liberty', a clitoral pump. She became their chief liberation officer and spearheaded the #IMasturbate campaign promoting female sexual empowerment.
January 2021: Discussion on Adderall Addiction and Recovery
In January 2021, Lily Allen opened up about her past addiction to Adderall, which she used for weight loss in 2014 before touring with Miley Cyrus. She discussed her subsequent recovery journey.
June 2021: West End Debut Announcement
In June 2021, Lily Allen announced her casting as Jenny in the West End play '2:22 A Ghost Story'.
August 2021: West End Debut in '2:22 A Ghost Story'
Lily Allen made her West End debut in August 2021, starring in '2:22 A Ghost Story' at the Noël Coward Theatre. Her performance received critical acclaim.
2021: West End Debut and Olivier Award Nomination
Lily Allen made her West End debut in the play "2:22 A Ghost Story" in 2021. Her performance earned her a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress.
2022: Protest Performance at Glastonbury Festival
In 2022, Lily Allen made a surprise appearance at Glastonbury Festival during Olivia Rodrigo's set. She performed her song "Fuck You" as a direct protest against the recent Supreme Court ruling on abortion rights.
2022: Olivier Award Nomination and WhatsOnStage Award Win
In 2022, Lily Allen's performance in '2:22 A Ghost Story' earned her a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress and a WhatsOnStage Award win.
2022: Studio Sessions and Unreleased Music
Lily Allen spent five weeks in a music studio in late 2022, but later revealed that she felt the music wasn't ready for release.
April 2023: Starring Role in 'Dreamland'
Lily Allen starred alongside Freema Agyeman in the comedy-drama 'Dreamland' for Sky Max in April 2023.
2023: ADHD Diagnosis
In 2023, Lily Allen revealed that she was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
2023: Performance in 'The Pillowman'
Lily Allen starred in the play 'The Pillowman' at the Duke of York's Theatre in London in 2023. The performance garnered mixed reviews from critics.
2024: Continued Work on New Music
By 2024, Lily Allen had reportedly recorded approximately 50 songs for her next musical project, indicating ongoing creative endeavors.
2024: Launch of 'Miss Me?' Podcast
Lily Allen started co-hosting a twice-weekly podcast called 'Miss Me?' with her friend Miquita Oliver for BBC Sounds in 2024.
2024: Prioritizing Family
Lily Allen stated in 2024 that she has been prioritizing her children over her career, contrasting her approach to parenting with that of her own parents.