Fans of En Vogue singer Dawn Robinson were shocked to learn she’s been living in a car for the past three years — and her ex-husband Andre Allen has allegedly offered to help her in her time of need.
Robinson, 58, shared the surprising news in a video posted on YouTube on Tuesday, March 11. She explained that she began living in her car after leaving her parent’s home in 2020.
“For the past three — almost three years, I have been living in my car,” she explained. “I said it. Oh my God.”
Allen, 49, who was married to Robinson from 2003 to 2010, told TMZ on March 13 that he would be happy to help his ex get a job in the hospitality industry, where he has found a lot of success of his own. The revelation was surprising, especially since Allen is a two-time Grammy winner and has several gold records under his belt.
The former producer also admitted he’s since left the music industry for good, a decision he says “saved his life” as well as provided Allen, who was also a musical performer, financial stability that is not commonly found in the music or entertainment industry.
Here is everything to know about Robinson’s ex, Allen.
Andre Allen grew up in the Bay Area
Allen was born in Oakland, California, in April 1975.
Andre Allen was a music producer
Allen worked as a music producer in the 2000s and is the founder and CEO of The Allen Film Group.
These days he works for the Hilton hotel brand as a sales executive. He told TMZ on Thursday, March 13 that the job completely turned his life around.
Andre Allen was also a performer
Allen’s career in the music industry began back in 1992, when he joined the R&B group IV Example. Allen remained in the group until 1998, then in 2003 went on to release his first solo album, titled LYFE, on Movemakers Entertainment. Robinson and Allen met during this time period.
He was also part of the team that helped propel Robinson back to En Vogue in 2009 after she left the group in 2010.
Allen has also worked with Big Boi of Outkast, Babyface, The Spinners and more.
Andre Allen began his hospitality career in 2014
According to his LinkedIn profile, Allen first began his career in hospitality in 2014, when he joined Hilton Grand Vacations as a frontline sales executive. He has also worked for Wyndham Destinations as a senior sales representative, then moved on to Diamond Resorts. He has worked at Holiday Inn Club Vacations for nearly nine years.
While speaking to TMZ, Allen also said that his ex has the “charisma and personality” to do well in the hospitality industry, and added that he doesn’t think the music industry will give her the type of money she deserves — or the perks. As he told the outlet, Robinson could get PTO to go on short tours and would get free health insurance from her first day on the job.
He has also helped out others in the industry
Allen also told TMZ he has had to bail out other former music industry colleagues. The outlet reported he has loan money to “dozens of notable music industry friends” and has seen “dozens of others die in poverty” — a fate he does not want for Robinson.
