Inside Ellie Goulding’s ‘divorce’ album as fuming star opens up about bitter split from managers she’s suing
AFTER referring to her new record I Know Too Much as a “divorce” album earlier this year, Ellie Goulding’s fans were convinced it was about the her marriage split.
But after having a sneak preview of her upcoming record, some might think she’s crooning about another break up, which became public earlier this week.
The Burn singer is taking legal action against her old team TaP Management.
And it’s little wonder Ellie is saying she’s so miffed.
To keep it brief, Ellie signed with Ben Mawson and Ed Millett — whose previous clients have included Dua Lipa and Cruz Beckham — in 2018.
She claims they failed to disclose that TaP’s parent company, HNOE, was partially, then fully, owned by Live Nation.
During her seven years with TaP, Ellie signed agreements with Live Nation for tours and merchandise, plus a documentary film which she argues financially benefited Mawson and Millett.
Ellie pumped in almost £4million as part of those deals, unaware her managers had a vested interest.
When I first listened to I Know Too Much — which I think is Ellie’s most powerful body of work lyrically — I immediately connected the dots to her ex-hubby Caspar Jopling.
The couple, who have a five-year-old son, split in 2024.
But now I know about her row with TaP and looking back over my notes, it seems some of it could have been influenced by Ellie’s experiences in the music industry.
This is Ellie’s first album since Higher Than Heaven hit No1 three years ago.
And she’s already hinted that she opens some old wounds on the record, saying of her new album’s title track: “It’s probably the most honest song I’ve written. It is what it is. I know too much.
“It’s tongue in cheek but it’s also some kind of comment on my life so far and music. I couldn’t think of a more apt title for everything I was singing about.
“I do know too much. Way too much.”
I’m sworn to secrecy on the album, which comes out on September 4, and would be strung up if I gave too much away.
But if you take a quick glance at the lyrics to Black Prada Dress, the single Ellie released earlier this year, you’ll see what I mean.
“I heard what you said, just as I was tasting freedom,” Ellie sings at the top of the track.
“Don’t want the pills, but you kinda make me think I need ’em.
“I’m tryna be a Hollywood baby, cause you made me think that London hates me.”
Intriguing. The gloves are off.
PHOEBE BRIDGERS received the worst 32nd birthday gift on Monday – appendicitis.
he US singer, who is set to top the album charts tomorrow with Lost Weekend, has had to postpone intimate shows in Kingston, Brighton and Bristol.
She told fans: “I got appendicitis for my birthday. But I’ll make it up to you!”
Phoebe got a boost from Taylor Swift who bigged up her record to her 273million Instagram followers.
Tay wrote: “Haven’t been able to stop listening. This album is an absolute triumph in every way.”
ROBBIE WILLIAMS has teamed up with Ukrainian DJ and producer Miss Monique for single Beauty In Us, which they performed for in Ibiza at the weekend.
He said the track, out on September 18, is “inspired by our different but equally defining experiences of electronic music and clubbing in Stoke-on-Trent and Kyiv . . . from the Nineties to the 2010s.”
YOU could be in Guy Ritchie’s next movie.
A walk-on role in one of the upcoming films Guy is directing is up for grabs as Children With Cancer UK puts on its most showbizzy auction yet.
You could bid for afternoon tea with EastEnders’ Natalie Cassidy, or a Picasso painting and VIP festival tickets. While Mel C, Katherine Jenkins and Jack Whitehall are offering meet and greets.
It is all to raise funds for groundbreaking research into the prevention and treatment of childhood cancer, as well as support for affected families. The auction runs from today at 8am until Friday.
- See thereallybigauction.com.
Maura’s totes gorgeous
MAURA HIGGINS looks absolutely fabulous in her latest major fashion campaign – seven years after Love Island changed her life.
She is the new face of Guess as it launches its Allegra bag – which she modelled in this photoshoot as she opened up about her upcoming stint on America’s answer to Strictly, Dancing With The Stars.
Maura, who will start on the show on September 15, told Grazia: “Confidence isn’t something you magically wake up with every day.
“I still get nervous. But I trust the people around me to help me feel my best once I’m on set or in front of a camera.
“Dancing With The Stars is definitely a different kind of pressure because you’re learning something completely new every week and have to perform live to an audience of millions watching, but that’s also what makes it exciting.
“Growth only happens when you push yourself a bit.”
Matt’s date tops the bill
THE MOLOTOVS’ MATT CARTLIDGE looks to have found a Hollywood love interest after growing close to actress Kathryn Newton.
The notoriously private rocker was reluctant to be drawn on their relationship, but his bandmate sister Issey let slip the pair met on The Jonathan Ross Show.
Londoner Matt took the Big Little Lies star to LA’s Beverly Hills Hotel, and one thing he wasn’t quiet about was the cost.
Chatting to him at King’s Cross Summer Sounds, in partnership with Lightroom, home of David Bowie: You’re Not Alone, I asked how much it came to, and he said: “For an omelette at the Beverly Hills Hotel?
“Omelette – ham and cheese, two coffees and pancakes, but she got all the add-ons, you know, like strawberries. It was $80 – way more than I wanted to spend, mind you.”
The band go on tour next month and there are still tickets for their show at London’s O2 Kentish Town Forum on September 26. That should help pay for the second date.
Joan makes Billy Ray’s day
NOW here’s a holiday snap I didn’t think I’d see.
Elizabeth Hurley and her director son Damian, posing in the sunshine with her boyfriend Billy Ray Cyrus. . . and Dame Joan Collins.
Liz shared snaps on Instagram of their surprising trip, revealing they joined Joan and her husband Percy on an “enchanting holiday” at their home in St Tropez.
Superstar Joan still manged to look super cool in the pool with Liz, who also posed in a chic summer dress.
The most-liked comment on Liz’s post said: “Billy Ray hit the jackpot.” I couldn’t agree more.
Weeknd’s fireworks fall flat
By Jack Hardwick
WITH 129million record sales and a seriously big budget behind him, expectations were high as The Weeknd took to the stage at Wembley Stadium.
From the get-go, it was clear that money was no object, thanks to a giant cross-shaped stage with a 40ft silver “sexy robot” in the middle.
But after a cult-like opening with 30 cloaked dancers, I have to admit things all felt a bit samey.
He’s spent four years touring the world and The Weeknd’s vocals were flawless throughout the two-hour spectacle.
The mammoth 38-track set was punctuated with hits including Can’t Feel My Face, Star Boy and Save Your Tears, before building to a finale including Blinding Lights and his Swedish House Mafia collaboration Moth To A Flame.
But once you get over the giant robot and the stage shooting out pyrotechnics, things all start to blend into one.
Maybe we’ve been spoiled by the high standards of pop shows in recent years but I couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed as I left.
And I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, either.