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Cleared for Landing: Lily Allen's US Return

After visa snags, UK import tackles US for the second time

By Paul Stinson, Newser User

Posted Jan 31, 2009 2:36 PM CST

(Newser) – After being grounded by US immigration officials just as her 2007 album was set to take off, the UK’s Lily Allen is taking a second shot at conquering America with a new album, reports the Wall Street Journal. Despite her visa travails, Allen's debut sold a respectable 500,000 copies in this country (and 2 million elsewhere). Her biggest challenge now, the Journal notes, is fighting comparisons against commercially successful imports that followed her, including Amy Winehouse and Duffy.

Allen’s detention at the Los Angeles airport and visa cancellation came at a particularly inopportune time, with a West Coast tour and MTV performance with Kanye West waiting in the wings. “The record was ascendant when it got cut short,” says one EMI exec. “We could have done 250,000 or 500,000 more.” An Allen representative says the singer is clear to work in the US next month.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

British singer Lilly Allen and Harrods' owner Mohamed Al Fayed open the Harrods Winter Sale, Friday Dec 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Nathan Strange)

Duffy is shown in 2008 at Barneys in New York. Allen's challenge may be in facing comparisons with other UK singers such as her who've achieved greater commercial success. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)

Lily Allen attends the 2007/8 Chanel Cruise Show at Hangar 8 in Santa Monica, Calif. (Mark Mainz/Getty Images for Chanel)

British singer Amy Winehouse performs at the close of the 46664 charity concert in London. Allen is fatigued by comparisons to the troubled singer. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

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Lily Allen performing live. (YouTube)

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Cleared for Landing: Lily Allen's US Return