Lily Allen
Singer · Actor
Lily Allen is a British singer and actor who rose to prominence with her debut album, Alright, Still (2006), and the number-one single “Smile.” Her subsequent albums include It's Not Me, It's You (2009), No Shame (2018), and West End Girl (2025). She has also worked in television and theatre, earning a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her performance in the West End production of 2:22 A Ghost Story (2021). [4][18]
Last updated
Career and work
Allen began attracting attention in the mid-2000s by sharing her music on MySpace. Her debut album, Alright, Still (2006), brought her commercial success with songs including “Smile” and “LDN.” Her second album, It's Not Me, It's You (2009), reached number one on the UK Albums Chart, as did Sheezus (2014). Her fourth album, No Shame (2018), received a Mercury Prize nomination. [4]
Allen expanded into theatre in 2021, making her West End debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story. Her performance earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the 2022 Laurence Olivier Awards. She returned to the stage in 2023, starring in a revival of Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman. [6][5]
In October 2025, Allen released her fifth studio album, West End Girl, her first in seven years. Written largely in collaboration with producer Blue May, the album combines personal experiences with fictional elements to explore relationships and major life changes. [7][16]
What has been publicly discussed
“I knew that the things I was feeling were too extreme to be able to manage, and I was like, ‘I need some time away.’”
— Lily Allen [11]
