Lily Allen Given Special Work Permit to Record Video

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Despite having being refused entry to America and having her US work visa cancelled, Lily Allen was spotted on Wednesday filming her new music video in Los Angeles.

Lily had flown over on Tuesday this week but was detained at the Los Angeles International Airport for more than five hours.  It was originally believed that this was related to her common assault charge in London earlier this year – when she was accused of attacking a photographer - but those claims have been rubbished by the English singer who said she “has no idea why she was singled out for such treatment.”

As well as recording a video, Lily arrived in the country to attend the announcement for the MTV Video Music awards nominations and for preparation of her upcoming tour of the States, scheduled to begin next month.

She said, “I am trying everything I can to sort this out. I don’t like letting my fans down.

“It is my intention to play my American dates in September. This depends on the authorities granting me a new work visa.

“I want my fans to know that I will do everything I can to be back in America in September.”

Lily, daughter of film star Keith Allen, has been granted an O-1 visa to film her video, which allows people with “extraordinary skills” to work temporarily in a country.  This song will come off her new album, as yet untitled, the follow up to her debut hit Alright, Still which achieved double platinum status in the UK.

She will need a full permit to go on tour to perform her hits such as Smile, LDN and Alfie.

Earlier this year, Lily Allen infamously cut short a tour of the USA due to homesickness and a fear that her increasing fatigue was having an adverse effect on her shows.