In a remarkably candid revelation, chart-topping singer Ellie Goulding has opened up about her romantic history, disclosing that she has dated women in the intervals between her relationships with men, which she described as "toxic, fleeting and passionate".
A Candid Confession on Reality TV
The 39-year-old musician, who is currently expecting her first child with boyfriend Beau Minniear, made the personal comments during an appearance on model Brooks Nader's reality series, Love Thy Nader. The scenes were filmed in the summer of 2024, shortly before Goulding was publicly linked to Minniear in July.
During the conversation, Nader—who was newly single after splitting from Dancing with the Stars professional Gleb Savchenko—joked about potentially dating women, saying, "Maybe I'll go the other way." Goulding responded frankly, "That's what I do. It works every time." The pair, who shared a playful kiss back in 2024, were discussing the complexities of modern relationships.
Goulding's Philosophy on 'Toxic' Love and Songwriting
Ellie, who shares a four-year-old son, Alfred, with her ex-husband Caspar Jopling, then elaborated on her views about romance. She described the most "exciting" love as often being "toxic and fleeting and passionate," an intense experience that feels uniquely amazing in the moment.
"It's all great song material, to be honest," the singer admitted. "Annoyingly, I do it for the plot so that I can write a song about it." Goulding, whose sixth studio album is due for release in the coming months, advised appreciating such intense connections for what they are in the moment, and being grateful for the experience once they pass.
She summarised her current perspective by saying, "It's all about being the amazing woman that you are and then guys are just an accessory every now and again."
Recent Milestones and Past Relationships
The singer's pregnancy with beau Beau Minniear was revealed in December 2024 when she walked the red carpet at the Fashion Awards visibly expecting. Their relationship became public in September 2024, and the couple have since holidayed in Italy, where Minniear shared an intimate photo of Ellie in their hotel room.
Goulding's romantic history has been a frequent topic of media speculation. Her five-year marriage to art dealer Caspar Jopling, 33, ended privately before she confirmed their split in February 2024. This confirmation came after photos emerged of her kissing Brazilian surf instructor Armando Perez.
Her dating history includes:
- An 18-month relationship with Radio 1 host Greg James, which ended amicably due to work pressures.
- A brief seven-month romance with American musician Skrillex (Sonny John Moore) in 2012.
- Dating actor Jeremy Irvine for under a year.
- Publicly denying a relationship with Ed Sheeran in 2013, despite being spotted holding hands.
- Admitting to a fling with Niall Horan in 2015.
- A two-year relationship with McFly drummer Dougie Poynter, which ended in 2016.
Goulding has previously expressed frustration at being defined by the men she's dated, a sentiment she says she has discussed with friend Taylor Swift.
Beyond her music and personal life, Ellie Goulding was recently made an MBE in the New Year Honours list for her services to biodiversity and the climate. A global environmental ambassador for the UN and patron of The Marylebone Project for homeless women, she balances her pop stardom with significant activism and philanthropy.
