After sexual assualt allegations were lodged against Milton-born country singer Jimmie Allen by a pair of accusers ― his former manager and another by a woman who said he surreptitiously filmed the encounter ― his busy schedule immediately dried up.
His record label, talent agency and publicity firm all dropped the one-time Country Music Association New Artist of the Year, who was fresh off the road from an arena tour opening for Carrie Underwood when the accusations hit.
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Allen’s once surging career suddenly hit the rocks.
Not only was he a draw on the road, but he had found plenty of work as a television personality of sorts.
There he was as a judge of Apple+’s “My Kind of Country” TV music competition, competing on “Dancing with the Stars” and singing “America the Beautiful” at WWE’s WrestleMania in front of nearly 80,000.
But once the allegations dropped in articles by Variety magazine reporting on the lawsuits ― first in May and then the second in June ― it all evaporated with Allen disappearing from airwaves and already-scheduled concerts canceled.
He has not been charged criminally in either case and has countersued both women.
Even so, Allen has hinted at a comeback in recent months. He told at least one fan he would be back on tour in September and announced on Instagram that he would try his hand at an invite-only comedy tour in October.
He may believe the road back to the national entertainment scene, where he is currently persona non grata, runs through his home state.
In recent months, he’s sung songs at local bars, participated in local charity events, tried out his stand-up comedy at a Delaware theater and has a pair of events scheduled for next month: a sold out concert in Dewey Beach and a charity bowling tournament in Middletown.
While Allen may be shunned by the national spotlight these days, these are the Delaware venues that have welcomed him even as he is accused of sexual assault by two women.
Paradise Grill, Long Neck
On Independence Day weekend, Allen pulled his boat up to Paradise Grill in Long Neck with his wife and daughters. Soon fans were taking photos with the locally-grown singer.
Nashville-based singer Brian McConnell, who lives in Long Neck during the summer, was performing when Allen showed up and eventually ceded the stage to him.
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McConnell said some fans had encouraged him to let Allen play a few songs during his set, so he invited Allen to take his spot. Allen played two tunes, including his song “Down Home.”
Milton native Chris Lovenguth was there and said he didn’t see anyone object to Allen performing, adding that Allen told him he would be going back on tour in September.
“There wasn’t anybody I saw that was bashing his name, or saying anything like that about him,” he said.
The Chase Fieldhouse, Wilmington
About a month later, Allen was standing center court surrounded by other celebrities at Duffy’s Hope 19th Annual Celebrity Basketball Game.
Raising money for the Wilmington-based non-profit Duffy’s Hope, which provides support for at-risk youth and their families, Allen was among the well-known players, including Kash Doll (Arkeisha Knight) and Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr. , both from the popular Starz crime drama “BMF.”
In a promotional video released before the event, Allen said, “I’ll be there getting my hoop on, representing country music, representing Delaware, the 302.”
Wearing No. 15, Allen played in front of a crowd filled with children and teens.
Milton Theatre, Milton
Just last weekend, Milton Theatre’s “Sizzling Summer Stand-Up: A Comedy Heatwave!” show had a surprise guest: Allen on stage telling jokes as the sexual abuse accusations swirl around him.
A month earlier, Allen made national headlines with a didn’t-see-that-coming announcement that he would be trying his hand at comedy in October on a run of shows dubbed the “I Said What I Said” tour.
Wearing a “Cancel Cancel Culture” t-shirt, Allen worked on his material in front of a crowd, who didn’t know he’d be one of the people on stage trying to make them laugh. He performed alongside headliner Helene Angley and comedians Belynda Cleare, Theresa Kralinger and host Keith Purnell.
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On their social media pages, Milton Theatre touted the addition of Allen to the show after his appearance.
“You’ll never know who you’ll see on the Milton Theatre stage. A big WELCOME Jimmie Allen,” the statement read followed by emojis, which included a red heart.
Mid County Lanes & Family Fun Galaxy, Middletown
Earlier this month, Allen posted that he will be hosting a bowling tournament at Mid County Lanes and Entertainment in Middletown on Sept. 9.
The “15 Returns” scratch shootout costs $80 and there is no mention of the proceeds going to charity. “We are proud to welcome Jimmie back,” the bowling alley states on the event’s Facebook page.
A big bowling fan, it’s not Allen’s first visit to the Middletown lanes.
Before the scandal, he hosted his “Down Home” bowling tournament series there, most recently in January.
Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach
Another upcoming Delaware event for Allen is already sold out.
Allen is headlining the Bottle & Cork on Sept. 29, continuing his relationship with Highway One Group, which has not only hosted fundraiser shows with Allen at its Bottle & Cork and The Rusty Rudder properties, but also hosts his Bettie James Fest at Hudson Fields.
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The two-time summer festival, which drew 6,000 fans last year, did not occur this summer.
Instead, Allen will stomp across the Cork’s famed stage in front of 1,100 fans for his “There’s No Place Like Home” concert. Tickets sold at $40 a pop.
After the show sold out in what the venue said was two minutes, a second was added for Sept. 28. That concert has also sold out.
Timeline: The allegations against Jimmie Allen
April 21: Jimmie Allen announces split from wife
The “Slower Lower Delaware” singer posted on Instagram that he and his pregnant wife Alexis Gale are separating.
“Our number one priority is and always will be ensuring that our children are healthy, happy and loved and we remain committed to co-parenting with love and respect for one another,” Allen wrote.
Gale shared a similar post on Instagram, requesting “privacy during this time.”
The couple, who are both Milton natives, married in a private ceremony in 2020, followed by a larger celebration in 2021, Gale said in an interview with People.com.
Gale and Allen are already parents to two daughters, 18-month-old Zara James and 3-year-old Naomi Bettie. Allen also has an 8-year-old son, Aadyn, from a previous relationship.
May 11: Allen hit with lawsuit from ex-manager
An 18-page lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee by Allen’s former day-to-day manager, who is identified as Jane Doe.
Her lawsuit brings six counts against Allen, including sex trafficking, battery, assault, false imprisonment, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
According to the lawsuit, Allen raped the former manager and insisted she use a Plan B contraceptive to prevent pregnancy.
The lawsuit stated the singer used his position of power to abuse her for 18 months, from May 2020 to 2022.
Through the civil lawsuit, the former manager seeks compensatory, incidental, consequential, punitive damages, plus attorneys’ fees and costs.
May 11: Allen rejects claimsThrough a statement provided by his attorney, Allen confirmed that he and the first plaintiff had a sexual relationship, but claimed it was consensual.
“It is deeply troubling and hurtful that someone I counted as one of my closest friends, colleagues and confidants would make allegations that have no truth to them whatsoever,” Allen’s statement read.
“I acknowledge that we had a sexual relationship — one that lasted for nearly two years. During that time she never once accused me of any wrongdoing, and she spoke of our relationship and friendship as being something she wanted to continue indefinitely. Only after things ended between us, did she hire a lawyer to reach out and ask for money, which leads me to question her motives.”
May 11: BBR Music Group suspends Allen
Hours after the lawsuit against Allen went public, the record label BBR Music Group announced they’re suspending the artist.
“In light of today’s allegations against Jimmie Allen, BBR Music Group has decided to suspend all activity with him, effective immediately.”
May 11: Allen removed from CMA Fest
The Grammy-nominated singer was originally slated to play the CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on June 11, before his name was removed from the lineup, Rolling Stone reported.
May 11: Publicist moves on from Allen
Public relations firm Full Coverage Communications cut ties with Allen, Billboard reported.
May 11: DSU graduation loses Allen
The evening before Delaware State University’s undergraduate commencement ceremony, DSU issued a statement saying Allen, an alum of the school, notified them he was canceling his commitment to be a keynote speaker at the event.
U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester replaced Allen as keynote speaker.
May 12: Booking agency, manager suspend Allen
The booking company United Talent Agency and management firm Familie both announced they suspended the star singer, Variety reported.
A spokesperson for UTA told Variety, “We have suspended our representation of Jimmie Allen due to the recent allegations against him, which we take seriously.”
May 18: On Instagram, Allen apologizes to wife
The country artist hopped on Instagram and shared a long apology to his wife and children “for being a poor example of a man and a father.”
The singer continued, “I’m working on becoming a better person that my kids can be proud of. My goal is to be better than the generation before me.
“This business takes so much from you. It’s full of temptations that can cripple you and ruin everything you’ve built. I’m ashamed that I wasn’t strong enough to withstand them. I will no longer be a victim of my weaknesses. I challenge everyone to seek help when they need it. Do not be afraid of your weaknesses, surround yourself with people what WILL help you. Be Blessed.”
May 28: Allen is selling his mansion
According to a TMZ report, Allen was selling his Tennessee mansion for $2.5 million. On May 30, NBC shared a property listing of Allen’s home, which is listed as being 4,853 square feet.
June 9: Second woman accuses Allen of assault
Allen’s second accuser, identified as Jane Doe 2, filed a lawsuit Friday in Tennessee demanding a jury trial while claiming that the musician filmed a sexual encounter she had with him secretly, without her consent, according to the complaint obtained by USA TODAY.
The anonymous accuser also claimed Allen continued pursuing sexual contact with her after she told him she no longer gave consent.
In the lawsuit, the second accuser says she met Allen on a flight to Nashville on May 1, 2022, and gave his bodyguard her phone number later.
After a night out and a couple months of communication, she said she agreed to meet with Allen at a hotel in Las Vegas, where the singer assured her she’d have her own room. At the time, Allen had made claims about being in love with her and said he was separated from his wife, according to the lawsuit.
She said she joined Allen in his bedroom “willingly,” but things took a turn.
“He told her he would respect her request” to have sex with a condom, the suit said. “Yet, as their encounter progressed, Allen penetrated the plaintiff during sex with his penis and without a condom. Allen told Plaintiff he wanted to get her pregnant. The plaintiff said no,” the lawsuit says.
Allen refused to stop and passed out on the bed afterward, according to the complaint.
That Allen has now been accused by a second person gives additional salt to the first case against him, says attorney Elizabeth Fegan, who is representing both accusers and previously brought sex trafficking claims against Harvey Weinstein.
“It gives corroboration or veracity to the fact that Allen has engaged in a series of predatory sexual acts,” Fagen told USA TODAY.
“If you say ‘no’ during the course of sexual relations, the other person has to stop,” Fagen said. “So you can set boundaries at any time during the course of physical touch. And it doesn’t matter how far along you are.”
As Jane Doe 2 was leaving the room after the encounter, she alleged she saw Allen’s phone in the closet and discovered it was filming, aimed at the bed. She said she deleted the footage and after she was unable to wake him, she took his phone and turned it in to her local police department when she returned home, who said they would report it to the Las Vegas police.
June 9: BBR Music Group drops Allen
After it became public that a second assault lawsuit was filed against Allen, BBR Music Group announced they released the singer-songwriter from their record label, Variety reported.
“BBR Music Group has dissolved its relationship with Jimmie Allen,” according to a statement the label sent Variety. “He is no longer an active artist on its roster.”
July 13: Allen countersues both women who claimed he assaulted them
The country star is countersuing two women who have filed lawsuits against him for sexual assault.
He filed documents against both accusers in Tennessee on Thursday, according to Billboard and People.
Allen filed the suits in order to “protect my reputation and refute these claims that have caused severe damage to my family, mental health and business,” he told People in a statement.
July 13: Allen and wife aim to keep their family together
Allen and his wife strive to keep their marriage together, according to People.
“The divorce case is still pending, as my wife and I are working to resolve things together as a family,” he told People.
Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (Twitter) (@ryancormier).
