Ellie Goulding
Elena Jane Goulding (/ˈɡoʊldɪŋ/ GOHL-ding; born 30 December 1986) is an English singer and songwriter. After signing with Polydor Records, she released her debut extended play, An Introduction to Ellie Goulding (2009).[1] Goulding's debut studio album, Lights (2010), debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and was later reissued as Bright Lights, spawning three successful singles: a cover of Elton John's "Your Song", "Starry Eyed", and "Lights". Her second studio album, Halcyon (2012), was preceded by the lead single "Anything Could Happen". Halcyon Days (2013), a repackaged edition of Halcyon, produced the single "Burn", which became her first No. 1 single in the UK. Following her third studio album, Delirium (2015), and its lead single "On My Mind", Goulding received her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance for her single "Love Me like You Do".[2]
Not to be confused with Ellie Gould.
Ellie Goulding
- Singer
- songwriter
2009–present
1
Vocals
In 2016, Goulding announced that she was going on indefinite hiatus.[3] It was later revelead that she was dealing with an anxiety disorder, as well struggles with media scrutinity faced during that time over false claims on her personal life.[4] After a five-year hiatus, Goulding released her fourth studio album, Brightest Blue (2020), which became her third album to top the UK Albums Chart, and her fourth consecutive RIAA–certified album. It spawned several singles, including the hits "Close To Me", "Sixteen" and "Hate Me".[5] She has collaborated three times with DJ Calvin Harris on the singles "I Need Your Love", "Outside" and "Miracle", the latter spent eight non-consecutive weeks at number 1 on the UK Singles Chart in 2023.[6] Her fifth studio album, Higher Than Heaven (2023), debuted at No. 1 in the UK, her fourth chart-topping album, making her the British Female with the most Number 1 Albums in UK history, tying with Adele.[7]
Goulding is the recipient of numerous accolades, including three Brit Awards (including the prestigious BRIT Billion Award), a Billboard Music Award, 17 BMI London Awards, and two Grammy Award nominations.[8] She was honored with a Decade Award by the Variety Hitmakers Awards in recognition of a decade of "undeniable hits".[8] TIME100 honored her with the Impact Award for using her platform to protect the environment[9] and was honored with a 'Doctor of Arts degree' by the University of Kent for her contribution and impact in music.[10][11][12] In 2024, Goulding was named the Conservationist of the Year by The Perfect World Foundation Awards, the first musician to receive the honour.[13] She has sold more than 27 million albums and 216 million singles, and amassed 43 billion streams worldwide,[14] making her one of the most successful British female singers of the 21st century.[15][16]
Early life
Elena Jane Goulding was born on 30 December 1986[17] in Hereford, Herefordshire, England to Arthur and Tracey Goulding, and was brought up in the small village of Lyonshall, in Herefordshire. She has a brother, Alex, and two sisters, Isabel and Jordan. When she was five years old, her parents separated.[18] Afterwards, she had little contact with her father, a funeral director.[19] Goulding and her siblings were raised by their mother on a council estate,[20] with Goulding describing the family as "super poor".[21] She stated that she has a "difficult" relationship with her mother.[19]
Goulding began playing the clarinet at age nine and learning guitar at age 14. She attended Lady Hawkins' High School in Kington, Herefordshire and, by the age of 15, started writing songs. She took A levels in English, politics, drama and music, and passed the first 3 with "A" grades but failed music.[22][23] After enrolling on a degree in Drama and Theatre Studies at the University of Kent and remaining until her final year, she met Jamie Lillywhite. He became her manager and introduced her to the producer Starsmith, who would become her chief collaborator and the primary producer of Lights.[24]
Other ventures
SERVED cocktails
Goulding acquired a significant stake in premium British hard seltzer brand SERVED for an undisclosed sum in June 2021.[206] Goulding said she was attracted to the brand due to it being based in her childhood home of Herefordshire, as well as for the brand's eco-friendly ethos.[207]
In July 2022, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned a series of Facebook posts from Goulding promoting SERVED hard seltzer. Goulding's posts claimed the drink was low in calories and contained no sugar, which the ASA ruled were not permitted nutrition claims for alcohol products.[208]
In January 2023, SERVED announced that it had entered into a partnership with Morrisons part of the supermarket's ‘Growing British Brands’ accelerator programme, which aimed at promoting "innovative and sustainable British producers". SERVED products are now available for sale 498 Morrisons stores, as well as listings in other parts of the business including Morrisons.com, and wholesale channels like Amazon.[209] Later that year, SERVED also launched a series of Ready To Drink cocktails, including Mojito, Passion Fruit Martini, and Piña Colada flavours.[210]
In September 2023, Goulding announced that Heineken UK had acquired a significant minority stake in SERVED.[211][212]
Headlining
Supporting
