We have an exclusive Q&A with Elly Anslow, a Diamond Heart award winner and 2020 best seller. We talk about boys, the upcoming album, and drama on tour! 

• Montana, Essex

“Well, I can’t say it was easy at first. In the beginning I was only young, and I could just not wrap my head around how much I had blown up. I found it really hard to deal with all the criticisms but as of lately, and as a more grown and developed woman, I have discovered the love of my fans is what matters and providing them with something they can listen to and bond and communicate over is what brings me most joy.”

What brings you the most satisfaction in the music industry?

• Jordan, Texas

“I think seeing the albums I have worked so, so hard on coming together, and knowing that people like my music enough to nominate my album ‘Blue Hills’ for a Diamond Heart award brings me so much satisfaction ‘cause that tells me that whatever I’m doing is good enough!”

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

• Joel, London

“When I first started off in this industry, I actually met Rihanna for the first time at her movie premiere. She told me a way to deal with setbacks was through prayer and understanding that there is a reason for everything, even if you can’t see it at times. You’d be surprised how much that helped me at the time and how I still follow that to this day.” 

How has your love life been? 

• Anne, Surrey

“Well, it’s kind of hard to talk about, but my fans deserve to know what’s going on in my life. As a lot of people may know, me and Harry [Styles] recently ended things. It was kinda mutual, but in reality, he broke my heart and I honestly thought my career was over for a while. The pain was too hard to deal with and the fact I have songs about him that fans love and want me to perform on tour is just a lot sometimes. However, I have grown and learnt since the break up and my recovery from it has inspired many of my new songs in Butterfly”. I may have something to reveal next time you guys interview me, but I am not confirming nor denying there’s any man in my life. 

Was there ever any drama on Tour?

• Michael, New York

“[Elly laughs] Yes! Just as you would expect, a bunch of intense personalities all crammed into a few buses is not always the most relaxing thing. Don’t get me wrong though, I love my team more than anything. This tour has brought us closer together than ever before and I am so thankful for everything that we have been blessed with. But of course there had to be some drama. Some was intense and some was just sad. Harry and I broke up on that tour while I was in L.A. and I had to perform in front of a massive stadium which did not go very well [take a look at our issue from Feb 23 to see more on Elly’s heartbreaking on-stage meltdown] Apart from that, the drama was really just us all getting moody and tired of each other. But still, performing really brought us all together and I could not be more thankful for the experience it has given me and the amount of support I got from the fans.”

• Elio, Italy

“After my album [Butterfly] releases later on January 29th, I’ll be working on a few fun and exciting things. 

 Obviously the Butterfly Tour will be happening and I’ve been told I can confirm there will be something happening with Netflix very soon. Oh! My gorgeous sister, Beth, is getting married in summer this year and I am very excited for that too!”