The fabulous life of Ellie Goulding, who just announced she's taking a 'break' from music
Elena Jane Goulding was born on December 30, 1986 in Hereford, Herefordshire.
She was raised in the nearby town of Lyonshall. Her parents, Arthur and Tracey Goulding separated when she was five. She has three siblings, an older brother Alex and two younger sisters Isabel and Jordan, with whom she would stage Spice Girls shows. The family's background was "humble," her mother Tracey told The Daily Mail.
Sources: Ace Showbiz, Telegraph, Daily Mail
She learned how to play the guitar and began writing songs as a teenager. "As soon as Ellie picked up a guitar, that was it. She taught herself to play," Ellie's mother Tracey told The Daily Mail.
Sources: Ace Showbiz, The Daily Mail
She studied drama and theatre studies at the University of Kent. While there she became interested in electronic music.
Source: University of Kent
She quit university to pursue her music career in London after meeting her manager Jamie Lillywhite (who she's pictured with below) at an open mic night and signed a deal with Polydor Records in 2009. She also started working with musicians Starsmith and Frankmusik.
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Source: The Daily Mail
Ellie's debut single "Under the Sheets" was released in 2009 with the independent record label Neon Gold Records.
Source: Glamour
After touring as the supporting act for Little Boots in 2009, Ellie appeared on "Later With Jools Holland" to perform "Under the Sheets" and "Guns and Horses."
Sources: Glamour, Contact Music
Her debut album "Lights" was released in March 2010 and reached No. 1 in the UK album charts. A few months later, in November 2010, she rereleased the album as "Bright Lights."
Source: Glamour
Her cover of Elton John's track "Your Song," featured on the album, was used as the soundtrack to John Lewis' 2010 Christmas advert. The song reached No. 2 in the UK charts.
Sources: EllieGouldingVEVO/YouTube, Glamour
In December 2011, she shared a stage with the Obamas and Santa as the Christmas tree lights of Washington DC's National Christmas Tree were turned on.
Source: Associated Press
Ellie's second album "Halcyon," which features collaborations with Calvin Harris and Tinie Tempah, was released in October 2012. The album was produced by Polydor Records.
Source: Glamour
In 2014, she took part in Band Aid 30's recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas Time?" alongside Bono, One Direction, and others. The single's proceeds went toward combatting the spread of Ebola.
Source: Associated Press
Ellie released the song "Love Me Like You Do" in January 2015. It appeared in the film "50 Shades of Grey." In just a week from its release, the song became the top-streamed track in the UK and around the world. The song also earned Ellie her first Grammy nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance.
Her latest album, "Delirium," was released in November 2015. "My third album and I am so truly humbled by the love you have for it already," she wrote on Instagram. "A new era has begun."
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Shooting music videos is hard work, even when you're being pampered.
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In the same video for "On My Mind," Ellie learned to perfect her eye roll.
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The video even sees her on horseback.
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She took to the stage at 2015's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show – one of the most exclusive fashion events of the year.
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Here she is at 2015's Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary, where she wowed the crowds on stage.
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Ellie performed at the Apple Music festival in Camden "and had a reet good time," she wrote on Instagram. "So good to be back performing in London."
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A natural performer, she loves to rock out on the guitar.
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When she's not singing, she supports charities like the Marylebone Project, which offers long and short-term beds to homeless women. The singer is outspoken on the treatment of the city's homeless.
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Source: The Guardian
She also launched a makeup line with MAC cosmetics, proving her business acumen.
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You know you've made it when you're using makeup that has your name on it.
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She parties with other famous people like Lewis Hamilton.
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Here is she hanging out with British Vogue editor-in-chief Alexandra Shulman.
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She's part of Taylor Swift's squad too.
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Like Taylor, she adores her pet cats.
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She's an advocate for a meat-free diet.
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But like most of us, she gets her coffee from Costa.
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In her spare time, she can usually be found at the gym.
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She wants everyone to know that she lifts ...
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... and exercises her core muscles.
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She's one step away from releasing a fitness video.
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But she still enjoys some chocolate from time to time.
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This is her on-again-off-again ex-boyfriend, Dougie. Reports confirmed their split on March 10.
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Source: The Sun
The couple enjoyed the occasional pampering session.
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They also got front row seats at catwalk shows during Paris Fashion Week.
She makes time for her friends too. To prove it, she wrote the song "Army" about her best friend who she met in college over a decade ago.
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She graces the covers of popular magazines like "Glamour," "Cosmopolitan," "Shape," and more.
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She was honoured as Musician of the Year at 2015's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards, where she wore this stunning Stella McCartney gown.
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She appears on talk shows like "The Jonathan Ross Show." Here she is boxing with fellow guest Gordon Ramsay.
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Occasionally, she takes a break.
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When she does, she holidays in places like Dubai.
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Hopefully, Goulding's break from music won't be too long.
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