Milton's Jimmie Allen announces separation from wife; pair expecting baby later this year

Country star and Milton-native Jimmie Allen announced that he and his wife, Alexis Gale, are separating while also expecting another child together later this year.

The pair made the announcement via Instagram post Friday evening.

"After much thought and reflection in recent months, Lex & I have made the decision to separate," the post said. "As we navigate this life change, we can also share that we will be welcoming another child together later this year."

Gale and Allen are already parents to two daughters, 17-month-old Zara James and 3-year-old Naomi Bettie. Allen also has an 8-year-old son, Aadyn, from a previous relationship.

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"Our number one priority is and always will be ensuring that our children are healthy, happy and loved, and we remain committed to co-parenting with love and respect for one another," the separation post said. "In light [of] our growing family, we respectfully request privacy during this time."

Allen, 37, and Gale, 27, are both natives of Milton. They met in spring 2019 through a relative of Allen's and were engaged by the summer. They had a private wedding ceremony in June 2020.

Allen's meteoric rise to country superstardom began around 2018 after releasing his debut album, "Mercury Lane." It is named after the Milton street where Allen grew up. The album featured his No. 1 single "Big Shot," making Allen the first Black artist to have a debut single reach No. 1 on country radio.

More:What's behind Jimmie Allen's rise to stardom? It starts with his father's example.

In 2021, Allen won the Country Music Association Award for New Artist of the Year and the Academy of Country Music Award for New Male Artist of the Year.

His 2020 album "Bettie James," named after his late grandmother and dedicated to his late father, received acclaim from critics and fans with features from music superstars like Nelly, Tim McGraw and Darius Rucker.

Gale and Allen have publicly embraced their Delaware roots. Allen is an alum of Delaware State University, the University of Delaware and Cape Henlopen High School. He does a number of benefit shows in Delaware, including an annual Christmas concert that raises money for different public schools in the state.

Contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.