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Sasha Allen
Sasha Allen
Sasha Allen
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Key Information

Sasha Sierra Allen (born June 4, 1982) is an American singer and actress. Born and raised in Harlem, New York, she began her career in the music industry as a backing vocalist for Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Leona Lewis, and Usher. In January 2016, she joined the Rolling Stones touring band. In May 2020, she joined The Pussycat Dolls touring band.

Allen portrayed Dionne in the 2009 Broadway revival and 2010 West End revival of Hair.[1] In 2013, she was a semi-finalist on the fourth season of the American version of the singing competition TV series The Voice. She is not to be confused with Sasha Allen, a transgender man who was a semi-finalist on the 21st season of The Voice.[2]

Life and career

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Early life

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Allen's maternal Bermudian grandmother was one of the first people of African descent to attend Juilliard School of Music. Sasha's maternal grandfather and father were of African American descent. Allen is the elder of two children. She was educated at LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in New York City.

At the age of 14, she starred in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Whistle Down the Wind.[3] While still in high school, she was featured in commercial and print work, including advertisements in TIME magazine for AT&T.[citation needed]

At 17 she was signed to Elektra Records, working with producers Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Kanye West) and J. Moss (Karen Clark Sheard, Kiki Sheard). Later, she was signed by Arista Records when LA Reid was president.[4] Her album, unfortunately, never came together. Allen says regarding her failed record contracts, “I got caught up in one of those crossroads moments in the record business [...] It was heartbreaking, because singing is what comes most naturally to me.”[4] This caused Sasha to pursue other avenues of performing, such as acting.

2000s

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She was cast in the cult film Camp (2003) starring as "Dee."[5] Allen was spotlighted on VH1's Born to Diva, a pre-American Idol talent reality TV show highlighting her talent.[6]

She has performed on world tours and platinum albums of several performers, including Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics Tour and resulting DVD (Back to Basics: Live and Down Under), John Legend's album Once Again, and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds' album Playlist.[7] Allen was also the feature vocalist on Babyface's "Playlist" World Tour, singing the classic hits with Babyface that he wrote and produced for Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Madonna, and others. Sasha has also toured with Alicia Keys, Leona Lewis, and John Legend, performed with Usher and David Bowie, and recorded with Celine Dion. Allen's television work as a vocalist with musical director Rickey Minor garnered her performances with Jessica Simpson, Patti LaBelle, Yolanda Adams, Fantasia, and Clint Black.

Allen Joe's Pub at the Public Theater in NYC, 2011.

Allen's music showcases her love for rock, soul and R&B. Her first single, "Let's Fly Away", was released on July 4, 2008, and the follow-up, a cover of Joan Osborne's "One Of Us", was released in September 2008. The remix for "Let's Fly Away", produced by Rob Lewis and TrakFire Productions climbed the dance charts.[clarification needed]

From March 2009 to March 2010, she starred as Dionne in the Broadway revival of Hair at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. She stayed with the production when it transferred to London's West End at the Gielgud Theatre from April to September 2010.[8]

2012–present, The Voice and afterwards

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Returning to reality TV, Allen was selected as a participant for the fourth US season of The Voice. She auditioned with "Not Ready to Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks, which turned all four coaches' chairs. Sasha decided to join Adam Levine's team. In the battle round she competed against Judith Hill, who Adam would end up picking, making Sasha available to be stolen. Both Usher and Shakira pressed their button for Sasha, and she opted to join team Shakira. Allen would be the final remaining member of Team Shakira, and the first stolen contestant on The Voice to advance to the semifinals.

Between September 2014 and July 2015, Allen toured the United States as "The Leading Player" in a revival tour of the Broadway musical Pippin.[9]

Allen joined The Rolling Stones on their América Latina Olé Tour 2016 as a backing vocalist, filling the role handled by Lisa Fischer since 1989 as Fischer had prior touring commitments.[10] The role included duetting with Mick Jagger on "Gimme Shelter".[11]

Her songs Oh! Darling peaked # 29 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs, Ain't No Way # 17, Next To Me # 39, and I Will Always Love You # 39.[12]

From November 2023 to January 2024, she was featured in the world premiere of Broadway star Gavin Creel's Off-Broadway musical Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice at the MCC Theater. She then joined the Broadway cast of MJ the Musical as Katherine Jackson at the Neil Simon Theatre.

The Voice performances and results

[edit]
  – Studio version of performance reached the top 10 on iTunes
Stage Song Original Artist Date Order Result
Blind Audition "Not Ready to Make Nice" The Dixie Chicks April 8, 2013 5.6 All four chairs turned
Joined Team Adam
Battle Rounds "Try" (vs. Amber Carrington) Pink April 15, 2013 7.1 Defeated
Stolen by Shakira
Knockout Rounds "At Last" (vs. Shawna P.) Etta James April 29, 2013 11.8 Saved by Coach
Live Playoffs "Oh! Darling" The Beatles May 7, 2013 15.8 Saved by Public Vote
Live Top 12 "Alone" Heart May 13, 2013 17.6 Saved by Public Vote
Live Top 10 "Next To Me" Emeli Sande May 20, 2013 20.5 Saved by Public Vote
Live Top 8 "Without You" David Guetta feat. Usher May 27, 2013 22.4 Saved by Public Vote
Live Top 6 "Ain't No Way" Aretha Franklin June 3, 2013 25.4 Saved by Public Vote
"Before He Cheats" Carrie Underwood 25.12
Live Top 5 (Semifinals) "I Will Always Love You" Dolly Parton June 10, 2013 27.2 Eliminated
"Bad Girls" Donna Summer 27.7

References

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[edit]
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Sasha Allen

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Sasha Allen is an American singer and known for her powerful vocals in R&B, , and rock genres, as well as her roles in Broadway musicals and films. Born Sasha Sierra Allen on June 4, 1982, in , , she rose to prominence through her work as a and her appearances on television and stage. Her career spans touring with major artists, competitive singing shows, and acclaimed theatrical performances that highlight her versatile range and stage presence. Allen's early career focused on session and touring work, where she provided backing vocals for renowned artists including , , , , and Usher, establishing her reputation in the music industry during the 2000s. In 2003, she made her screen debut as Dee in the musical drama film Camp, directed by , which showcased her acting and singing talents in a story about aspiring performers at a summer arts camp. She further expanded into television with a guest role as Carmen Hill on the series Blue Bloods in 2014, blending her musical background with dramatic performance. A pivotal moment came in 2013 when Allen competed as a contestant on season 4 of NBC's The Voice, where her renditions of songs like "" and "" earned her a spot in the top 5 as a semi-finalist under coach , introducing her soulful style to a national audience. Transitioning to theater, she took on the demanding role of the Leading Player in the national tour and Broadway revival of Stephen Schwartz's Pippin from 2014 to 2016, earning praise for her commanding presence in the Tony Award-winning production directed by . In January 2016, she joined ' touring band as a , replacing and performing on hits like "" during their América Latina Olé Tour and subsequent shows. More recently, Allen returned to Broadway in at the , portraying in a replacement capacity starting in early 2024, appeared as a dancer in the film (2024), while also contributing to the soundtrack of the 2008 comedy . Her multifaceted career continues to bridge music, theater, and film, solidifying her as a dynamic figure in entertainment.

Early life and education

Upbringing

Sasha Allen was born Sasha Sierra Allen on June 4, 1982, at Harlem Hospital in , . She was raised in , immersing herself in the neighborhood's dynamic cultural landscape from an early age. Allen's family background included connections to the arts, with her mother having worked as a dancer and her maternal grandmother serving as a pianist, though no immediate relatives were professional singers. Her father had no involvement in music. Growing up in this environment, Allen began exploring music as a child, starting classical piano lessons at age six and studying at the . She admired artists like , whose powerful vocal style inspired her budding interest in singing. By around age ten, Allen's mother recognized her vocal talent and enrolled her in a local theater program, igniting her passion for performance. These early experiences laid the foundation for her artistic development, leading her to pursue formal training at LaGuardia High School of & Art and Performing Arts during her teenage years.

Schooling and early performances

Sasha Allen attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City, a renowned institution for training young talent in the performing arts, often referred to as the "Fame" school due to its depiction in popular media. As a freshman at LaGuardia, Allen made her professional stage debut at age 14 in the 1996 Washington, D.C. premiere production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Whistle Down the Wind at the Kennedy Center, where she performed as a swing in the ensemble of child roles. LaGuardia's intensive curriculum in vocal performance, , and provided foundational training that shaped Allen's early skills, with school productions offering practical experience in ensemble work and stage presence that complemented her burgeoning professional opportunities.

Music and theater career

2000s: Backing vocals, , and initial stage work

In the early , Sasha Allen made her acting debut as Dee, a vibrant young singer and performer, in the musical comedy-drama Camp (2003), written and directed by . The film depicts life at a fictional for aspiring performers, drawing from Graff's personal experiences at a real arts program, and highlights themes of artistic passion, adolescent drama, and self-discovery among its teen ensemble. Allen's role in Camp marked her entry into professional screen work, where she demonstrated her vocal prowess through musical numbers, blending her theater training with on-camera performance. Transitioning to music, Allen established a career as a backing vocalist starting in the mid-2000s, supporting prominent artists on tours and recordings. She served as a background singer for Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics Tour (2006–2008), contributing to the live performances captured in the concert film Back to Basics: Live and Down Under (2008). Allen also toured with Alicia Keys, John Legend, Leona Lewis, and Usher, while providing featured vocals on John Legend's album Once Again (2006) and Babyface's Playlist (2007). These live and studio collaborations honed her skills in high-profile settings, exposing her to diverse musical styles and large audiences. In 2008, Allen signed with and ventured into solo work with the release of her debut single "Let's Fly Away" on July 4, an uplifting R&B track that highlighted her soulful range. Later that September, she issued a cover of Joan Osborne's 1995 hit "One of Us," reinterpreting the introspective with her distinctive vocal timbre. During this period, Allen began auditioning for Broadway productions, securing initial exposure through ensemble opportunities and building toward more prominent stage roles.

2010s: The Voice, Hair revival, and Pippin

In 2013, Sasha Allen gained widespread recognition as a contestant on the fourth season of NBC's The Voice, marking a pivotal moment in her career that showcased her versatile vocal abilities to a national audience. During the blind auditions, Allen performed "Not Ready to Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks, earning turns from all four coaches—Adam Levine, Shakira, Usher, and Blake Shelton—before initially joining Team Adam. In the battle rounds, she faced off against Amber Carrington on Pink's "Try," with Levine selecting Carrington as the winner, but Shakira immediately stole Allen for her team, praising her powerful stage presence and emotional delivery. Allen advanced through the knockouts with a soulful rendition of Etta James's "At Last," the live playoffs featuring The Beatles' "Oh! Darling," and the top 10 with Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats." Her top 8 performance of Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" highlighted her interpretive range, while in the top 6, she delivered a stirring cover of Aretha Franklin's "Ain't No Way," dedicated to her mother. Reaching the top 5, Allen performed Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" as her choice and M.I.A.'s "Bad Girls" as selected by Shakira, both earning praise for her commanding vocals and charisma, though she was eliminated alongside Carrington in the subsequent results show. Fans and critics lauded her journey, noting her ability to blend gospel-infused power with pop accessibility, which boosted her visibility beyond theater circles. Building on her early stage experience, Allen made her Broadway debut in the 2009 revival of Hair at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, portraying the role of Dionne in a production directed by Diane Paulus that captured the countercultural spirit of the 1960s. She opened the show with the iconic verse in "Aquarius" and contributed to ensemble numbers like "White Boys," her dynamic energy and vocal harmonies earning acclaim amid the revival's Tony Award-winning success for Best Revival of a Musical. The production ran through June 2010, after which Allen reprised her role as Dionne in the subsequent West End transfer at London's Gielgud Theatre, opening in April 2010 under the same creative team and receiving positive reviews for its vibrant, immersive staging. Her performance in the London run, including standout moments at West End Live, further solidified her reputation as a compelling ensemble performer capable of conveying the musical's themes of peace, love, and rebellion. In 2014, Allen took on the lead role of the Leading Player in the first national tour of the Tony-winning Broadway revival of Pippin, directed by and featuring acrobatic choreography by Gypsy Snider, which toured through 2016 and brought the 1970s musical's tale of self-discovery to audiences across the U.S. Opposite as Pippin, Allen's portrayal was highlighted for its magnetic authority and vocal prowess, channeling the enigmatic, manipulative charisma originally embodied by while incorporating circus elements that amplified the show's theatrical flair. Critics commended her commanding stage presence, noting how she dominated numbers like "Magic to Do" and guided the narrative with a blend of seduction and menace, contributing to the tour's sold-out engagements and enthusiastic reception. Later in the decade, Allen appeared in the 2019 off-Broadway revival of Ntozake Shange's choreopoem For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf at The Public Theater, directed by Leah C. Gardiner with choreography by Camille A. Brown, as part of an ensemble cast portraying the Lady in Blue. The production, which explored Black women's experiences through poetry, music, and movement, was extended multiple times through December 2019 due to strong demand, with Allen's performance praised for its emotional depth and contribution to the work's rhythmic, empowering monologues.

2020s: Touring bands, recent Broadway, and other projects

In the early 2020s, Sasha Allen continued her role as a backing vocalist with the Rolling Stones, performing on their No Filter Tour, which included dates across North America in 2021, where she notably dueted with Mick Jagger on "Gimme Shelter" during shows such as the one at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on November 11, 2021. Her contributions highlighted her rock versatility, building on her post-The Voice semi-finalist experience from 2013 by blending powerful vocals with high-energy stadium performances. Later in the decade, she returned to Broadway in MJ the Musical at the , taking on the replacement role of Kate from January 3 to February 25, 2024, and returning as and Kate starting February 25, 2025, with featured vocals in ensemble numbers that showcased her musical theater depth. In , Allen appeared as a dancer in (2024), contributing to the sequel's ensemble choreography in a background performance that marked her return to screen work after earlier projects. Her multifaceted 2020s also included high-profile standalone events, such as performing the at the ' home game against the on October 5, 2025, at , broadcast nationally on and earning a for its emotive delivery. In 2024, she presented the one-night-only show HI, MY NAME IS SASHA ALLEN at Symphony Space's Thalia, a personal blend of stories, pop, rock, and songs reflecting her career evolution. These projects exemplify Allen's ongoing versatility, spanning touring rock, Broadway leads, , and solo showcases through 2025.

References

  1. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1024399-sasha-allen
  2. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1296598/
  3. https://tv.apple.com/us/person/sasha-allen/umc.cpc.6c3x61z39bg3wefofnk5yxm3l
  4. https://www.nbc.com/the-voice/photos/season-4/sasha-allens-gallery/252821
  5. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/sasha-allen-482858
  6. https://newyork.mjthemusical.com/cast-creative/
  7. https://playbill.com/article/diva-talk-chatting-with-hairs-sasha-allen-plus-news-of-buckley-chenoweth-luker-com-163712
  8. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/134115/happy-hair-hippie-sasha-allen-balances-a-busy-life/
  9. https://www.nydailynews.com/2013/06/01/sasha-allen-of-the-voice-tackles-the-pressure-as-the-shows-last-new-yorker/
  10. https://themoviedb.org/person/1024399-sasha-allen
  11. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0342167/
  12. https://variety.com/2003/film/reviews/camp-1200543921/
  13. https://www.buzzfeed.com/louispeitzman/camp-2003-oral-history
  14. https://playbill.com/article/diva-talk-chatting-with-hairs-sasha-allen-plus-news-of-buckley-chenoweth-luker-com-163717
  15. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-voice-recap-second-chances-for-older-artists-53081/
  16. https://www.peacecenter.org/news/detail/sasha-allen-finds-her-voice-in-live-theater
  17. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/qa-sasha-allen-reflects-on-her-time-on-the-voice-122029/
  18. https://tasteofcountry.com/sasha-allen-dixie-chicks-not-ready-to-make-nice-the-voice/
  19. https://thevoice.fandom.com/wiki/Sasha_Allen
  20. https://ew.com/recap/the-voice-season-4-episode-22/
  21. https://www.tvline.com/news/the-voice-top-5-performance-recap-michelle-chamuel-amber-carrington-439024/
  22. https://www.nydailynews.com/2013/06/11/the-voice-season-4-episode-25-recap-michelle-chamuel-sasha-allen-danielle-bradbury-and-swon-brothers-sound-amazeballs/
  23. https://playbill.com/person/sasha-allen-vault-0000069373
  24. https://ovrtur.com/production/2897956
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XruUZq3jGjI
  26. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/176499/extraordinary-sasha-allen-kyle-selig-will-star-in-the-national-tour-of-pippin/
  27. https://stageandcinema.com/2014/10/28/pippin-national-tour/
  28. https://mdtheatreguide.com/2014/12/theatre-review-pippin-at-the-national-theatre/
  29. https://playbill.com/article/a-first-look-at-ntozake-shanges-for-colored-girls-off-broadway
  30. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/196815/sasha-allen-joins-for-colored-girls-at-public-theater-production-is-extended/
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB02mqRZozw
  32. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-rolling-stones-gimme-shelter-chanel-haynes-1372227/
  33. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/mj-524797
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2049403/fullcredits/
  35. https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/article/HI-MY-NAME-IS-SASHA-ALLEN-to-be-Presented-at-Leonard-Nemoy-Thalia-at-Symphony-Space-20241114
  36. https://www.symphonyspace.org/events/vp-hi-my-name-is-sasha-allen
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