In a recent interview with Kathie Lee Gifford on his YouTube channel, posted on Tuesday, April 23, country singer Jimmie Allen shared that he had thought about suicide during his sexual assault lawsuit. The 38-year-old artist discussed the legal case brought against him by his former day-to-day manager, which has now been dismissed.
Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, the country singer issued a statement denying the allegations, asserting that the relationship had been consensual. Jimmie clarified that he did not desire a relationship with his former manager and regretted entering into it, especially since he was still married to his then-wife. He expressed remorse in the interview, stating, “For the longest time, I believed that as long as I was providing for my wife and children, I could do whatever I wanted. That mindset is wrong. I made a commitment, and I should have either honored it or ended it,” as reported by Entertainment Tonight.
Upon facing the allegations, Jimmie expressed his worry about the potential impact on his ability to support his family. He shared, “I felt like my world had completely crumbled. My immediate concern wasn’t my career but how I would provide for my kids,” he explained. “It dawned on me that my life insurance includes coverage for suicide.”
During his darkest moments, the “Freedom Was a Highway” singer received a pivotal message from a friend that shifted his perspective. “My friend Chuck texted me, saying, ‘Ending it isn’t the answer.’ Those words made me pause,” he recounted. Jimmie reached out to another friend who visited his home and safely secured his gun. He emphasized the crucial support he received from his family, friends, and peers in the industry. “My mom came to be with me, and I received calls from fellow artists expressing their love and concern, affirming they know and support me. Unexpectedly, I even received calls from some of Hollywood’s biggest actors, whom I’ve admired for years but never met, somehow having my number and reaching out,” he shared.
Though he grappled with suicidal thoughts for a period, Jimmie acknowledged that therapy and mental health care played a crucial role in his recovery. He reflected that stepping back from the situation ultimately “saved my life.” “I began to see things differently. My mindset shifted from ‘Why is this happening to me?’ to ‘What am I meant to learn from this?’” he expressed. “I transitioned from harboring resentment towards her to having some empathy, trying to comprehend what challenges she might have been facing in her own life to act this way.”