Ellie Goulding is suing her former managers Ben Mawson and Ed Millett, alleging that their ties to Live Nation created an undisclosed conflict of interest.
Mawson and Millett managed Goulding via TaP Management from 2018 until 2025 and received a 20 per cent commission, according to a legal claim reported by Variety.
According to the suit, Goulding signed agreements during that period with companies in the Live Nation group, relating to touring, merchandising and a documentary film.
The singer claims that she was not told that TaP’s parent company HNOE was controlled by Live Nation. The entertainment company acquired a 50.1 per cent stake in HNOA in 2015 before taking full ownership in 2019, the filing states.
The claims alleges that Mawson and Millett consequently “had a personal interest or duty in dealings between Ms. Goulding and companies in the Live Nation group which was in actual or potential conflict with the interests of Ms. Goulding in securing the best commercial terms with whichever promoter, merchandiser or other counterparty it was most advantageous for her to deal with.”
Goulding is seeking unspecified “equitable compensation and/or damages for their breaches of fiduciary duty”, alongside other related entitlements.
NME has contacted representatives of Mawson and Millett, as well as Goulding’s representation and Live Nation.
Goulding has now returned to being managed by Sarah Stennett, who had performed the role earlier in the career, and she is now signed with WME for worldwide representation.
She is preparing to release her sixth studio album ‘I Know Too Much’ on September 4, and has previewed it with the singles ‘Black Prada Dress’, ‘4 Seasons’ and ‘Ravers’.
Goulding debuted ‘Black Prada Dress’ at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in May, while last month, she also performed at half-time during England’s World Cup quarter final victory against Norway.
She spoke to NME last November about the new record, saying: “This is probably the most honest I’ve been in my lyrics. I don’t have anyone to answer to. In certain situations, you’re trying to please someone, but for the first time ever, I don’t feel like I have to do that. I’m just making music that I love.”
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