Ellie Goulding

Not to be confused with Ellie Gould.

Ellie Goulding
Goulding in 2022
Born
Elena Jane Goulding

(1986-12-30) 30 December 1986 (age 37)
Hereford, England
Alma materUniversity of Kent
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2009–present
Works
Spouse
Caspar Jopling
​
​
(m. 2019; sep. 2024)​
Children1
AwardsFull list
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Labels
Websiteelliegoulding.com

Elena Jane Goulding (/ˈɡoʊldɪŋ/ GOHL-ding; born 30 December 1986) is an English singer and songwriter. Born in Hereford and raised in Lyonshall, Goulding began writing songs at the age of 15. She released her debut single "Under the Sheets" through Neon Gold Records in 2009, and signed with Polydor Records that same year, releasing her debut extended play (EP) An Introduction to Ellie Goulding.[1] Her debut studio album, Lights (2010), debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, and was reissued as Bright Lights, spawning three successful singles: a cover of Elton John's "Your Song", "Starry Eyed" and "Lights".

Goulding's second studio album, Halcyon (2012), was preceded by its lead single "Anything Could Happen", and a repackaged edition titled Halcyon Days (2013) produced the single "Burn", which became her first No. 1 single in the UK. She then collaborated with DJ Calvin Harris on two singles: "I Need Your Love" and "Outside". After the release of her third studio album Delirium (2015) and its lead single "On My Mind", Goulding received a Grammy Award nomination for her single "Love Me Like You Do", which was recorded for the soundtrack of Fifty Shades of Grey (2015).[2]

Goulding took a hiatus from 2016 to 2020, struggling with an anxiety disorder and media scrutiny over false claims on her personal life.[3][4] Her fourth studio album Brightest Blue (2020) became her third album to top the UK Albums Chart, and her fourth consecutive album certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It spawned several singles, including the hits "Close to Me", "Hate Me" and "Sixteen".[5] She reunited with Harris on the single "Miracle", which spent eight non-consecutive weeks at No.1 on the UK Singles Chart in 2023.[6] Goulding's 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-one 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 nominations for two Grammy Awards.[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][10] She has sold more than 27 million albums and 216 million singles, and amassed 43 billion streams worldwide,[11] making her one of the most successful British female singers of the 21st century.[12][13]

  1. ^ "The BRIT Awards 2013". Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference 58Grammys was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Reporters, Telegraph (10 March 2016). "Ellie Goulding takes a break from music and boyfriend Dougie Poynter: 'I need time off'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Ellie Goulding took a long music break post Ed Sheeran dating rumors". The A.V. Club. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  5. ^ "ELLIE GOULDING EARNS MOST ENTRIES FOR ANY BRITISH FEMALE ARTIST ON BILLBOARD'S HOT 100 CHART THIS CENTURY WITH NEW SINGLE "HATE ME" WITH JUICE WRLD". Umusic. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  6. ^ Brandle, Lars (20 March 2023). "Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding Grab Top U.K. Debut With 'Miracle'". Billboard. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  7. ^ Qureshi, Arusa (28 February 2023). "Ellie Goulding pushes album release date back again "due to delays in sourcing" materials". NME. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  8. ^ a b Variety Staff (5 December 2019). "The Hitmakers and Hitbreakers Who Defined the Sound of 2019". Variety. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  9. ^ "Ellie Goulding's honorary degree attracts great media interest". News Centre – University of Kent. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  10. ^ "Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran honoured at BMI London awards 2022 | Entertainment". Devdiscourse. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Amazon Freevee Announces Greenlight of Intimate Live Music Performance Special Monumental: An Artists Den Experience". press.amazonstudios.com. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  12. ^ Griffiths, George (13 April 2023). "Ellie Goulding's biggest singles on the Official Chart revealed". Official Charts Company.
  13. ^ Sayce, Rebecca (14 April 2023). "Ellie Goulding proves she's well and truly back with double chart success". Metro. Retrieved 17 November 2023.