Allen was on his journey to music stardom for many years before he appeared on American Idol’s radar. The 36-year-old Chewelah, Wash., native has been singing since he was a child and got his start by singing in his father’s church.

Although Allen was passionate about music from a young age, it wasn’t always his first career path. He briefly attended Moody Bible Institute in Spokane, Wash., where he planned to have a career in religion. However, after a year in the program, he decided the path wasn’t for him and eventually moved to Seattle to pursue music full-time.

Allen eventually made his rounds in the R&B music scene with his soulful sound, which he said is influenced by artists like Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. In 2011, he performed his debut song, “Unaware,” on Conan, and his music began circulating on different platforms.

Throughout the years, his music has appeared on shows such as Netflix’s Dear White People, and he has performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and American Idol twice. In April 2020, NPR also invited Allen to appear on Tiny Desk, where the Blue-eyed soul singer performed his popular tracks “Brown Eyed Lover,” “Consider Me,” and “American Privilege.”

Allen is also constantly touring and putting out new singles.