Ellie Goulding commented recently to Glamour on her relationship with singers Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, saying “We’re friends because they understand the predicaments. They see what is and isn’t real.” She takes guidance from the two, knowing that their experience with fame can help her with dealing with her own. ”I’m not anywhere near their level of fame, but if I say, ‘Oh God Taylor, this happened’, she’ll be like, ‘Girl, that’s nothing.’ Suck it up, kind of thing.”

This need for strong female companionship and guidance extends even to whom Goulding chooses to work with. Both her manager and her tour manager are women, and she prefers to surround herself with “strong female characters… really cool women” rather than men. In a world that is still struggling with gender equality, this is a bold, personal step towards making the music industry a friendlier place for women.