Ellie Goulding. Ring a bell? If not, it will—and soon.
She's a rising pop star in Great Britain and, as it turns out, has just scored an invite to sing at the wedding reception of Prince William and Kate Middleton!
So just how'd this lady get to be so lucky? Let's just say it takes talent.
While still largely unknown in the U.S., the 24-year-old Goulding is an English singer-songwriter who, according to the Daily Mail, has been tapped by the royal couple to perform her cover of Elton John's "Your Song" (a unique take if ever there was one) and other tracks off her debut album, Lights.
The record topped the U.K. charts last year upon its release, winning near-universal accolades from critics and garnering her a fast-growing fan base. Much of that success has been driven by the hits "Under the Sheets," "Starry Eyed" and "Guns and Horses." The album proved so popular in fact that it was reissued with six new tracks including her rendition of "Your Song," helping move 387,000 copies in the U.K. by the end of 2010.
Ellie's subsequently made a number of well-received festival appearances including Glastonbury and the V Festival and nabbed the Critics Choice Award at the Brit Awards. She's also opened for the likes of John Mayer when he toured England and is quickly building an audience stateside.
Goulding sang "Starry Eyed," on Jimmy Kimmel Live! earlier this month and performed at Coachella. The songbird is also confirmed to be the musical guest on the May 7 episode of Saturday Night Live, hosted by Tina Fey, recently sold out a U.S. spring promotional tour and is also booked for Lollapalooza this August in Chicago.
No doubt Will and Kate, who are said to be "big fans," are on to something. She'll be the only singer serenading the pair at the reception.