Singer Ellie Goulding sent shockwaves through the celebrity world on Monday night, using The Fashion Awards red carpet to announce she is expecting her second child. However, the joyous revelation was accompanied by a conspicuous absence: her boyfriend and the baby's father, Beau Minniear, was nowhere to be seen.
A Carefully Guarded Romance
The 38-year-old pop star and the 28-year-old American actor have meticulously kept their relationship out of the public eye. Rumours of a romance first surfaced in July, when Ellie posted a cryptic TikTok video stroking an unknown man's arm, captioned 'Just a little something to take the edge off.' Although the clip has since been removed, eagle-eyed fans identified Beau by matching the watch he wore in the video to his Instagram posts.
Further clues emerged when both were spotted posting from the same hotel in Florence, prior to attending a boxing match together. Despite these breadcrumbs, it wasn't until September that the couple were photographed together for the first time, enjoying a low-key stroll in London with Beau's arm wrapped around Ellie's waist.
A Solo Red Carpet Announcement
At The Fashion Awards, Ellie proudly displayed her growing baby bump in a stylish black crop top and matching trousers. Yet, the moment was marked by Beau's notable no-show. This absence was thrown into sharp relief by fellow attendee Sienna Miller, who announced her own pregnancy at the same event with partner Oli Green proudly by her side.
This aligns with a growing trend among A-list couples who frequently walk red carpets separately. Notable examples include Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper, who have never appeared together on the red carpet, and pairs like Tom Holland and Zendaya, who typically only unite for joint professional projects.
From Music Video to Motherhood
Ellie hasn't completely shielded Beau from her professional life. Last month, he made his most prominent appearance yet as her love interest in the sultry music video for her new single, 'Destiny'. In the four-minute promo, the actor's face is partially obscured as Ellie is seen straddling him and photographing his semi-naked torso.
Discussing the track, Ellie described it as a 'catharsis' and a moment of 'straight-up escape and empowerment.' This new chapter follows the breakdown of her marriage to art dealer Caspar Jopling, 33. The former couple, who share a four-year-old son named Arthur, had reportedly been living separate lives for six months before their split was announced.
The pregnancy news comes as Ellie celebrates 15 years since her debut album Lights. With a career boasting 10 platinum singles, four number one albums, and over 55 billion streams worldwide, she now embarks on this exciting personal milestone, choosing to navigate the spotlight on her own terms.
