艾莉X

Alexandra Ashley Hughes (born 31 July 1985), known professionally as Allie X, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, producer, and visual artist. She began her career as an indie pop artist in Toronto in the mid-2000s, playing with local bands and recording several albums.

After relocating to Los Angeles in 2013, Hughes began working with music producers Cirkut and Billboard and first achieved commercial success with her 2014 single "Catch", which peaked at number 55 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart. She has since released the extended plays CollXtion I (2015) and Super Sunset (2018), and the studio albums CollXtion II (2017), Cape God (2020), Girl with No Face (2024), and Happiness Is Going To Get You (2025).

Early life

Alexandra Ashley Hughes was born on 31 July 1985, in the town of Oakville, Ontario. Her father is of British descent. Raised in an upper-middle-class family, she has described her upbringing as "privileged". She attended the Etobicoke School of the Arts, then studied classical piano and voice at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, and graduated from Sheridan College's Musical Theatre Performance program, and also studied musical theatre. During her adolescence, Hughes was diagnosed with an unnamed autoimmune disorder that caused her to be "small and sickly-looking." To deflect from the appearance it gave her, she began using clothes and experimenting with makeup. In college, she began smoking marijuana to cope with the condition.

Career

2006–2012: Career beginnings

Hughes first started her career under the stage name Allie Hughes in Toronto around 2006, performing indie pop, indie rock, jazz, and electronic music. After three years of studying at Sheridan, she recorded a 10-track demo album, titled Waiting for the Prize. Hughes described the CD as "a big hit with the music theatre kids", encouraging her to pursue a professional music career.

In 2008, she took part in CBC Television's How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, the Canadian version based on the series with the same name which aired in the United Kingdom on BBC One in 2006. She performed "My Favourite Things" from The Sound of Music and "It's Oh So Quiet" by Björk but was eliminated from the show after two weeks. That same year, she released her second demo album.

She began recording for her debut studio album in 2009, collaborating with Dave Newfeld of Broken Social Scene, Leon Taheny, and Adam King of Run With Kittens. The album, titled The Hard Way, was initially set for release in fall 2010 but was delayed to 2011 and ultimately scrapped. During this timeframe, she released a 4-track self-titled extended play in 2010, meant to act as a preview of sorts for the then-upcoming project.

Following the cancellation of The Hard Way, Hughes developed her synth-pop and electronic inspired band, ALX, in late 2011. The group released their debut and only single, "I Will Love You More" in March 2012, although a variety of other songs were performed during live shows. ALX had their final known performance at the Hillside Festival in July, where they performed seven unreleased original songs and one cover.

Her acting credits during this time include Canadian movies and television programmes, including The Boys in the Photograph, King, Being Erica, and Instant Star; her music was featured in Rookie Blue, Saving Hope, and Love Me.

2013–2015: CollXtion I

In March 2013, Hughes was one of four musicians to receive the Canadian Film Centre Slaight Music Residency Showcase. In July 2013, Hughes moved to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time career as a songwriter; despite this, she did not stop working on her solo material. She had not been satisfied with her sound and spent time learning about sound design and production. She adopted the stage name Allie X and began working with producers Cirkut and Billboard, whom she had met during her time in Los Angeles. Hughes eventually signed a publishing deal and moved into a house "[this company] was renting" where she "wrote song after song," fearing they would "send" her back. During this period, Hughes wrote the song "Bitch."

In early 2014, Hughes released her debut single under the Allie X name, titled "Catch". Upon release, the single received praise from multiple sources including American singer-songwriter Katy Perry who called the track on Twitter, "spring jam." It charted on the Canadian Hot 100, peaking at number 55 on the chart. "Catch" went on to be re-released as an EP in November 2015, featuring additional tracks.

Prior to the release of Hughes's debut extended play, CollXtion I, two singles, "Prime" and "Bitch", were put out by the singer on 18 March – 6 April 2014, respectively. CollXtion I was then released a year later, on 7 April 2015 in Canada, with the worldwide release being pushed back to 21 April. The EP was well received and was promoted through a small North American tour in 2015.