Jimmie Allen has been suspended by his music label and removed from next month’s CMA Fest lineup after his former manager filed a lawsuit claiming that the singer raped and sexually abused her.
“In light of [the] allegations against Jimmie Allen, BBR Music Group has decided to suspend all activity with him, effective immediately,” read a statement issued Thursday to media outlets.
His reps at United Talent Agency (UTA) also said they were suspending their work with Allen.
Allen’s former day-to-day manager filed the federal lawsuit as “Jane Doe” Thursday in Tennessee. She is accusing Allen, 37, of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, sex trafficking and emotional distress.
She alleges that Allen raped her and subjected her to sexual abuse and harassment over 18 months while she was employed by his management company.
The suit states that starting in May of 2020, “Allen sexually harassed Plaintiff openly and publicly by making comments about her status as a single female, her innocence, and how hot she looked,” the civil action continued. “He did so from the stage, in front of the production crew and public audiences. During debriefings after performances, Allen would ask Plaintiff personal sexual questions, including whether she was a virgin.”
She said that Allen sexually assaulted her after a filming of “American Idol” in March of 2021, while “she was incapacitated and incapable of giving consent,” the lawsuit stated.
The woman went to her supervisor this past October and “disclosed that she had been raped and sexually abused, told him she could not put up with Allen’s abuse any longer” but rather “than reassign her,” the company placed her on leave before firing her, according to her civil action.
In a statement, Allen claims they had a consensual sexual relationship.
“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 says. “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. 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.”
The plaintiff also names her former employer, Wide Open Music, as well as the company’s founder Ash Bowers, who she claims terminated her employment after she made the allegations against Allen.
Allen was the company’s biggest client, and was dropped by the firm after the allegations against him. The company claims that the woman was terminated because, after Allen was dropped, they no longer had a position for her.
“We have suspended our representation of Jimmie Allen due to the recent allegations against him, which we take seriously,” a company spokesperson said.
Allen had been scheduled to perform at CMA Fest in Nashville next month. But a spokesperson for the Country Music Association told NBC News on Friday that Allen was removed from the lineup, citing “allegations of sexual abuse by his former manager.”
Wide Open Music was also listed as a co-defendant. A company rep could not be immediately reached for comment on the allegations.
Just three weeks ago, Allen and wife Alexis “Lexi” Allen filed for divorce while she is pregnant with their third child.
They have daughters Naomi, 3, and Zara, 18 months and Allen is the father to son Aadyn, 8, from a previous relationship.
