Ellie Goulding facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ellie Goulding
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Goulding in 2022
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Elena Jane Goulding
30 December 1986 Hereford, England
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| Alma mater | University of Kent |
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| Years active | 2009–present |
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Works
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Caspar Jopling
(m. 2019; sep. 2024) |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | Full list |
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Elena Jane Goulding (born 30 December 1986), known professionally as Ellie Goulding, is an English singer, songwriter, and activist. She is famous for her unique voice and hit songs that mix pop and electronic music. Goulding has sold over 27 million albums and 216 million singles worldwide. This makes her one of the most successful British female singers of the 21st century.
Born in Hereford, England, Goulding started writing songs when she was 15. She released her first single, "Under the Sheets", in 2009. Her first album, Lights (2010), went straight to number one on the UK Albums Chart. It included the popular songs "Starry Eyed" and "Lights".
Her second album, Halcyon (2012), also did very well. A new version of the album, called Halcyon Days, featured the song "Burn". This became her first number-one single in the UK. She also worked with DJ Calvin Harris on the hit songs "I Need Your Love" and "Outside".
Goulding's song "Love Me Like You Do" was a huge global hit. It was recorded for the soundtrack of the movie Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) and earned her a Grammy Award nomination. After a break, she returned with her fourth album, Brightest Blue (2020). Her fifth album, Higher Than Heaven (2023), also reached number one in the UK. This tied her with Adele for the most number-one albums by a British female artist.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Elena Jane Goulding was born on 30 December 1986, in Hereford, England. She grew up in the small village of Lyonshall with her mother, brother, and two sisters. Her family did not have a lot of money. Her parents separated when she was five years old.
Goulding started playing the clarinet when she was nine and the guitar at 14. By age 15, she was writing her own songs. In high school, she studied English, politics, drama, and music. She later went to the University of Kent to study drama. There, she met people who helped her start her music career. She was introduced to the producer Starsmith, who helped produce her first album, Lights.
Music Career
2009–2011: Lights and Rise to Fame
In 2009, Ellie Goulding signed with Polydor Records. Her first single, "Under the Sheets", was released that year. She gained more attention after performing on the TV show Later... with Jools Holland.
In 2010, she won the BBC Sound of 2010 award, which recognizes new and rising artists. She also won the Critics' Choice Award at the 2010 Brit Awards. This made her only the second artist to win both awards in the same year.
Her first album, Lights, came out in March 2010. It was a huge success, reaching number one in the UK. The album featured hit singles like "Starry Eyed" and "Guns and Horses". Later that year, she released a new version of the album called Bright Lights. This version included her famous cover of Elton John's "Your Song", which reached number two in the UK. The single "Lights" became a big hit in the United States, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
Goulding toured to support her album and performed at many festivals, including Glastonbury. In 2011, she performed at the wedding reception of Prince William and Kate Middleton. She also appeared on American TV shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Saturday Night Live.
2012–2014: Halcyon and Halcyon Days
In 2012, Goulding released her second album, Halcyon. The lead single, "Anything Could Happen", was very popular. She also worked with Calvin Harris on the hit song "I Need Your Love".
In 2013, she released a repackaged version of the album called Halcyon Days. This edition included ten new songs, one of which was "Burn". "Burn" became her first single to reach number one on the UK's Official Singles Chart. She also recorded the song "How Long Will I Love You" for the movie About Time.
Goulding continued to tour and perform at major events. In 2014, she won Best British Female Solo Artist at the 2014 Brit Awards. She also worked with Calvin Harris again on the song "Outside".
2015–2017: Delirium and Global Success
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In early 2015, Goulding released "Love Me Like You Do" for the soundtrack of the movie Fifty Shades of Grey. The song was a massive success worldwide. It spent four weeks at number one in the UK and reached number three in the US. It also broke records for being the most-streamed song in a single week in the UK and worldwide at the time. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination.
Her third album, Delirium, was released in November 2015. It featured a more pop-oriented sound. The lead single was "On My Mind". She then went on the Delirium World Tour in 2016. After the tour, Goulding took a break from the spotlight to focus on her well-being.
2018–2021: Return with Brightest Blue
After her break, Goulding returned to music in 2018. She released several collaborations, including "Close to Me" with Diplo and Swae Lee. In 2019, she released a cover of Joni Mitchell's song "River", which became her third UK number-one single.
In July 2020, she released her fourth album, Brightest Blue. The album was split into two parts. The first part featured personal songs written by Goulding, while the second half had more upbeat collaborations. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming her third chart-topping album.
2022–Present: Higher Than Heaven and More Hits
In 2023, Goulding released her fifth album, Higher Than Heaven. It became her fourth number-one album in the UK. This achievement tied her with Adele as the British female artist with the most number-one albums.
That same year, she reunited with Calvin Harris for the song "Miracle". The song was a huge hit, spending eight weeks at number one in the UK. It became her longest-running number-one single. In 2024, she and Harris released another collaboration called "Free". Goulding continues to release new music and collaborate with other artists.
Musical Style and Voice
Ellie Goulding's music is often described as electropop, synth-pop, and indie pop. She is known for her unique soprano voice, which has a breathy and emotional quality. Critics have called her voice "something special" and original.
Goulding has said that her voice can sometimes feel "out of control" and that she has to work hard to manage it. She has never had formal singing lessons but did take a lesson to learn better breathing techniques.
Her musical influences include artists like Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, and Björk. She also admires contemporary artists like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Rihanna. Her music has evolved over her career, moving from folk-inspired electronic music to more anthemic pop sounds.
Personal Life and Activism
Goulding married art dealer Caspar Jopling in 2019. They have one son, who was born in April 2021. The couple announced their separation in February 2024.
She has been open about her experiences with anxiety and panic attacks. She uses exercise, like running and kickboxing, to help manage her mental health.
Charity Work
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Goulding is known for her charity work and activism. She supports many causes, including environmental protection, helping the homeless, and LGBTQ+ rights.
- Homelessness: She has performed at charity concerts for the "Streets of London" organization and has volunteered at shelters for the homeless.
- Environment: She has worked with the World Wildlife Fund and was a Global Ambassador for the United Nations Foundation. She uses her platform to raise awareness about climate change.
- LGBTQ+ Community: Goulding is a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. She has used her performances to protest laws that she feels are unfair to the community.
For her work, she has received many awards, including the 'Global Leadership Award' from the UN Foundation and the 'Ally Award' from the Attitude Awards.
Discography
- Lights (2010)
- Halcyon (2012)
- Delirium (2015)
- Brightest Blue (2020)
- Higher Than Heaven (2023)
Tours
Headlining
- The Lights Tour (2010)
- The Halcyon Days Tour (2012–14)
- Delirium World Tour (2016–17)
- Brightest Blue Tour (2021)
- Higher Than Heaven Tour (2023)
Supporting
- Katy Perry – California Dreams Tour (2011)
- Bruno Mars – Moonshine Jungle Tour (2013)
See also
In Spanish: Ellie Goulding para niños
