Inside Ellie Goulding’s ‘divorce’ album as fuming star opens up about bitter split from managers she’s suing

AFTER referring to her new album 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. Ellie Goulding’s new album I Know Too Much shares her feelings about more than just her divorce Credit: Getty Ellie’s upcoming record hints at her frustration about her management split Credit: Getty 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. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! 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. Most read in Showbiz 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.” A walk-on role in Guy Ritchie’s next movie is up for grab at upcoming charity auction Credit: Getty 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 Love Island favourite Maura Higgins is the new face of fashion brand Guess Credit: Guess/Nicolai Marciano 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.” Comment now