5 things you didn't know about Lily Allen

From the moment Lily Allen burst onto the scene in 2006 with her debut album, Alright, Still, she’s been redefining what it means to be a pop star. She has seamlessly shifted from chart-topping hits to acting on the West End stage, penning a memoir, and even dabbling in floristry.

Few artists manage to balance wit and sincerity as deftly as Allen, whose lyrics have tackled everything from heartbreak to consumerism with sharp precision.

However, beyond the headlines and the hits, Lily Allen’s influence runs deeper. Let's look at 5 of the lesser-known facts about her.

---

5 lesser-known things about Lily Allen

1) She has a flower named after her

The Lily Allen Popstar is a vivid orange and black lily that was named after her. While the name itself is unofficial—floral naming conventions prevent a lily from being officially called “Lily”—the botanical tribute is anything but ordinary. It serves as a cheeky nod to Allen’s colorful career and her occasional forays into horticulture.

---

2) She once pursued becoming a florist

Disenchanted with the rigidity of traditional education, Allen left school at 15 and briefly pursued horticulture. She planned to open a flower shop.

Ultimately, music pulled her back in, but her love for flowers lingered. Whether it’s the naming of the Lily Allen Popstar or her lyrical references to nature, Allen’s connection to the floral world persists.

---

3) She played a role in The Specials’ Reunion

Lily Allen at Planned Parenthood's New York Spring Benefit Gala (Photo by Getty Images)

When Lily Allen brought members of The Specials onstage at Glastonbury in 2007, she was reigniting a cultural movement. The ska legends, who hadn’t performed together in years, were inspired by Allen’s invitation to collaborate. Their seemingly casual reunion sparked a full-fledged comeback, culminating in their 2009 reunion tour.

Allen’s deep respect for The Specials reflects her musical roots in reggae and ska, influences that permeated her early work. Her gesture was an homage and a catalyst. By bridging generational gaps, Allen helped a new audience rediscover The Specials’ iconic sound.

---

4) Her MySpace popularity influenced her label’s strategy

Lily Allen at Netflix's "Stranger Things" Season 4 Premiere (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

Long before Instagram influencers and TikTok trends, Lily Allen was rewriting the rules of fame on MySpace. In 2005, she uploaded demos to the platform and caught the attention of a growing audience with her witty lyrics and distinct sound. Her rapid online success caught her record label off-guard, forcing them to adjust their strategy and give her creative freedom.

The grassroots rise was a personal victory and was a seismic shift for the industry. Allen’s MySpace ascent proved that artists could bypass traditional gatekeepers and connect directly with fans. Her debut album, Alright, Still, became a critical and commercial success and anchored by the chart-topping single Smile.

---

5. She co-wrote a musical adaptation of Bridget Jones’s Diary

Lily Allen’s artistic ambition once took her to an unexpected project which was co-writing a musical adaptation of Bridget Jones’s Diary. Tasked with bringing Helen Fielding’s iconic heroine to life on the West End stage, Allen penned songs that caught Bridget’s humor, vulnerability, and chaotic charm.

The project faced delays and remains unreleased but Allen’s involvement showed her versatility as a songwriter. Writing for a musical was a departure from her usual pop framework, demanding a focus on character-driven storytelling and emotional nuance.

---

Lily's latest album is No Shame which was released on June 8, 2018.