Jimmie Allen Speaks Out After Lawsuit
Allen made his return to social media on Wednesday.
Jimmie Allen; Photo Provided by BBR Music Group
Jimmie Allen broke his silence as he returned to Instagram for the first time following sexual assault and abuse allegations made against him by his former day-to-day manager.
“We Gonna Be Alright. This Too Shall Pass,” Allen wrote in the first of two Instagram stories shared on Wednesday morning (May 17).
The second included a screenshot of For King & Country’s “Burn The Ships.” Allen added the text “God only knows … He knows!” over the artwork.
The singer/songwriter’s return to social media comes after Variety published a bombshell report revealing that his former manager filed a lawsuit alleging that he assaulted and sexually abused her multiple times over an 18-month period.
After the lawsuit was filed, Allen was suspended from his longtime record label.
“BBR Music Group has decided to suspend all activity with him, effective immediately,” a statement from the label reads.
It was later revealed that his booking agency, United Talent Agency (UTA), had also paused its relationship with the singer.
“We have suspended our representation of Jimmie Allen due to the recent allegations against him, which we take seriously,” UTA shared in a statement to Variety.
Full Coverage Communications, the publicity firm that represented Allen, also terminated its relationship with Allen.
Additionally, Allen’s manager at The Familie also parted ways with the country star.
“Given the nature of the allegations in the lawsuit filed on Thursday, The Familie has decided to suspend management activities with Jimmie Allen effective immediately,” Variety shared.
According to a lawsuit filed by a “Jane Doe” on Thursday (May 11) in a Tennessee federal court and obtained by Variety, Allen is accused of manipulating and grooming the plaintiff into an 18-month-long sexually abusive relationship. She is reportedly suing Allen, the management company, Wide Open Music, and Ash Bowers, founder of Wide Open Music.
Jimmie Allen is being sued for “sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, sex trafficking and emotional distress.” While Bowers and Wide Open Music “are being sued for gross negligence and participating in a venture engaged in sex trafficking, among other counts,” according to the outlet.
“Allen allegedly assaulted this woman as they traveled together, groping her breasts on the plane, pushing his erect penis against her body in public and masturbating in front of her at the hotel where they were both staying. Once they left the taping and got into the car, she says he forced his fingers into her vagina while she tried to yank his hand away,” the publication reported.
The events allegedly took place in the 24 hours leading up to his appearance on The Ellen Show in May of 2021.
The lawsuit also says that his former manager claimed that he “rape her while choking her,” “sexually abused her at red lights” on business trips, and “looked at porn on her work computer.” “Jane Doe” also told the outlet that on numerous occasions she said “no” to sexual encounters and often pushed Allen away.
After being forced into intercourse with Allen, “Jane Doe” reported that she would “regularly bleed, cry uncontrollably and run to the bathroom to vomit.” The accuser also told the outlet that Allen filmed many of their sexual encounters in an effort to “blackmail her to stay silent.
The woman, who is in her early 20s and was employed as by the “Freedom Is A Highway” singer’s management company, Wide Open Music, as his day-to-day manager, claims to have reported the verbal harassment to Bowers on multiple occasions. She says she also told Bowers about the alleged rape and sexual abuse. At that point, Wide Open Music reportedly dropped Allen as a client and also terminated her, according to the lawsuit.
“[Jane Doe] was the day-to-day manager for Mr. Allen,” Bowers said in a statement obtained by Variety. “Once Wide Open Music no longer managed Mr. Allen, that role was gone and, furthermore, [the company] has transitioned out of artist management completely.”
The country singer is speaking out on the allegations, saying that the abuse claims are “deeply troubling and hurtful.” He also admitted to having a sexual relationship with “Jane Doe,” which has said 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,” The Delaware native said in a statement to Variety. “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.”
He went on to claim that the plaintiff’s accusations are “false” and “extremely damaging.”
”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,” he explained. ”The simple fact is, her accusations are not only false, but also extremely damaging. I’ve worked incredibly hard to build my career, and I intend to mount a vigorous defense to her claims and take all other legal action necessary to protect my reputation.”
Jimmie Allen is a father of three with a baby on the way. In late April, it was revealed that Allen and his wife, Alexis Gale, were separating.
“After much thought and reflection in recent months, Lex & I have made the decision to separate,” Jimmie Allen’s statement read. “As we navigate this life change, we can also share that we will be welcoming another child together later this year. 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. In light of our growing family, we respectfully request privacy during this time.”
If you or anyone you know have been a victim of sexual abuse, call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
Written by
Lauren Jo Black
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.