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Ellie Goulding Sues Former Managers Over Live Nation Deal

British pop star Ellie Goulding has initiated legal proceedings against her former management team, Ben Mawson and Ed Millett of TaP Management, alleging they withheld crucial information about a corporate ownership structure that she says created a serious conflict of interest. The singer, known for hits like "Burn" and "Love Me Like You Do," claims the pair never told her that HNOE—TaP's parent entity—was partly and later fully controlled by Live Nation, a global live entertainment giant. This undisclosed arrangement, her lawyers argue, compromised her ability to negotiate the best possible deals for her career. According to the legal filing, Mawson and Millett managed Goulding from 2018 until 2025, during which time they collected a 20% commission on her earnings. Over that period, she signed contracts with Live Nation-affiliated companies for touring, merchandise, and even a documentary project. The claim asserts that Goulding had no idea her management company was owned by Live Nation, and that her managers were contractually bound to avoid any actions that might "terminate or otherwise reduce or diminish" the business relationship between their clients and the Live Nation conglomerate. This obligation, the suit argues, placed them in a position where their personal interests could clash directly with Goulding's need to secure the most favorable terms from promoters, merchandisers, or any other potential business partners. The filing goes further, stating that Mawson and Millett, as employees of Live Nation, were explicitly prohibited from encouraging any artist under their management to cut ties with or scale back business with any Live Nation entity. Goulding's legal team is seeking "equitable compensation and/or damages for breaches of fiduciary duty," along with other related financial remedies, though no specific sum has been disclosed. A representative for Mawson and Millett had not responded to requests for comment at the time of writing, and the situation continues to develop. To understand the background, Live Nation first acquired a 50.1% stake in HNOE back in 2015, then moved to full ownership four years later in 2019. Since that initial purchase, the claim alleges, Live Nation has maintained "direct or indirect control" over HNOE, even receiving dividends as the ultimate controlling shareholder. While Mawson was appointed CEO of HNOE following the full acquisition, both he and Millett reportedly report directly to a figure designated by Live Nation's chief executive. This chain of command, the suit contends, meant their loyalties were divided from the outset. Goulding, who has since returned to manager Sarah Stennett and signed with WME for worldwide representation, is preparing to release her sixth studio album, "I Know Too Much," on September 4. The case raises broader questions about transparency in the music industry, where major corporations increasingly own multiple layers of an artist's business ecosystem. As one industry analyst noted, "When a manager's paycheck comes from the same company that books your tours, the artist has to wonder if they're getting the best advice or just the most convenient advice." The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for how such conflicts are handled in the future, particularly as live entertainment consolidation continues to reshape the landscape.

Category:SHOW BIZ NEWS

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