Ellie Goulding sues former managers over alleged hidden Live Nation ownership
British singer Ellie Goulding has launched legal proceedings against her former managers, Ben Mawson and Ed Millet of TaP Management, alleging that they failed to disclose a business connection to Live Nation while representing her.
The dispute centers on HNOE, the parent company associated with TaP Management. Goulding alleges that the company was owned by Live Nation during the period in which Mawson and Millet managed her. According to the claims, the alleged ownership was not disclosed to her, despite the managers receiving a 20 percent commission on her earnings between 2018 and 2025.
The lawsuit argues that the undisclosed relationship created a potential conflict of interest. During those years, Goulding entered into several agreements involving Live Nation-related companies, including deals connected to touring, merchandise and film projects. She claims she was unaware of the alleged ownership connection when those agreements were made.
The case also reportedly points to contractual arrangements that prevented her managers from reducing or avoiding their business ties with Live Nation. Goulding’s legal action therefore raises questions about whether decisions made on her behalf were influenced by interests that had not been fully revealed to her.
The allegations have drawn attention across the music industry because of TaP Management’s wider history with major recording artists. Online discussion has also connected the dispute with Dua Lipa’s departure from TaP and the management links surrounding Lana Del Rey, although those circumstances are separate from Goulding’s legal claims.
Goulding’s lawsuit remains at an early stage, and the allegations have not been established in court. The case is expected to focus on the nature of the relationship between TaP, HNOE and Live Nation, as well as what Goulding was told about those business interests during her management agreement.
Neither Mawson nor Millet has publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication. The outcome of the proceedings could have broader implications for artist-management relationships, particularly when managers have financial or corporate connections to companies with which their clients conduct business.
As the legal process continues, the central issue will be whether Goulding was adequately informed about the alleged ownership structure and whether the relationship created a conflict that affected business decisions made during her seven-year management period.
https://variety.com/2026/music/news/ellie-goulding-sues-former-managers-live-nation-1236826769/