Elena Jane Goulding ( GOHL-ding; born 30 December 1986) is an English singer-songwriter and activist. She has achieved significant commercial success, earning multiple chart records in the United Kingdom and internationally. Goulding has also received recognition for her songwriting, activism for the environmental movement, humanitarian work and support for LGBTQ people's causes. Goulding's debut single, "Under the Sheets", was released through Neon Gold Records in 2009, and she signed a recording contract with Polydor Records the same year, releasing her debut extended play (EP), An Introduction to Ellie Goulding. 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 version 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 number 1 song on the UK singles chart. She then collaborated with the Scottish DJ and record producer 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 the American erotic film Fifty Shades of Grey (2015). Goulding took a hiatus from 2016 to 2020, struggling with an anxiety disorder and media scrutiny over false claims about her personal life. 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". She reunited with Harris on the single "Miracle", which spent eight non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the UK singles chart in 2023. Goulding's fifth studio album, Higher Than Heaven (2023), became her fourth chart-topping album in the UK. This tied her with Adele as the British female with the most number-one albums in UK history. A sixth album, titled I Know Too Much, followed in 2026. Goulding is the recipient of numerous accolades, including two Brit, a Brits Billion, a Billboard Music, 17 BMI London, and two Grammy Awards nominations. She was honoured with a Decade Award by the Variety Hitmakers Awards in recognition of a decade of "undeniable hits" and Time 100 honoured her with the Impact Award for using her platform to protect the environment. She has sold over 44 million albums worldwide and accumulated 55 billion streams, ranking among the best-selling British female artists of the 21st century.