Allen, Winehouse postpone tours

  Lily Allen performs at the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium in London July 1, 2007.[Reuters]

 

British pop singer Lily Allen postponed her U.S. tour on Friday after failing to get a new work visa in time, while her rival Amy Winehouse put all her touring commitments on hold to deal with "health issues."

Allen and Winehouse, who have reputations as wild women in Britain, have been nominated for awards at next month's 2007 MTV Video Music Awards.

Allen's U.S. visa allowing her to work temporarily in the country was revoked this month after the 22-year-old was detained for five hours at Los Angeles International Airport when she arrived from Australia.

The singer said she had no idea why she lost her visa. British media reported she had been detained in connection with her arrest in June after an incident outside a London nightclub in March. She received a warning from police but was not charged with any crime.

"I am so disappointed that I won't be able to come to the States at this time," Allen said in a statement on her Web site www.lilyallenmusic.com.

"I was really looking forward to playing these shows and being part of the Video Music Awards. I want my fans to know I'll be back as soon as I possibly can!"

Allen had been due to perform at the MTV Video Music Award show in Las Vegas on September 9 and tour other cities.

Winehouse, 23, put her touring commitments on hold "until further notice in order to address her health issues," said a brief statement on her Web site www.amywinehouse.co.uk.

British media reported Winehouse was taken to a hospital last week for severe exhaustion.

The singer, known for her hit song "Rehab," pulled out of this weekend's V Festival in Britain and requested privacy. She was due to tour Britain in November and December.

The Washington Post said Winehouse looked "something like a tattooed skeleton in skimpy khaki shorts and midriff-baring tank top" when she performed at the Virgin Festival in Baltimore this month.

Allen, whose song "Smile" was a hit last year, had been due to tour the United States in May and June. But she canceled the concerts in April, saying she was tired and not performing as well as she could.