At age 24 Brit-girl Ellie Goulding reminds me of a blonde talented Ashlee Simpson. A cutesy pop girl with an interesting speech impediment. It makes her somewhat awkward but in a nice way. Shes not a glamor girl nor a provocateur. Rather plain and simple she looks out of place in some of her overdone get ups. Lets not confuse her casual style with that of say a earlier Taylor Swift, shes not a bumpkin-shes simply unglossed.
I love the fact that Iman couldn't name her 'hit', that finally gave us a level playing field for this weeks show. Too often he can rattle off the performers stats as well as he can rattle on about a Yankees pitcher. Not this time. Neither one of us knew what we were getting in to and its a pretty cool event and a rarity.
Ellie has been up for just about every 'newcomer' award and has won many. She has toured with John Mayer (and survived!), Passion Pit, and has been apart of every major music festival since her 2010 debut album released. She also had the honor of singing for the Royal Wedding Reception and the couples first dance. Not too shabby. But how will she fare on a US late night comedy show?
Iman's take?
"She is to Adele what Adele is to Dusty Springfield. Disco soul by a dog's dinner, Screechy and unsettling…
She is so bland she disappears while you watch her… When you have an ulcer the doctor suggests you listen to her for lunch.
Ellie is appalling and wouldn't make it to Hollywood on American Idol. The English female soul revival is now over. Next"
For the first time ever I agree with everything Iman has said- but she had a good dress.
One more thing: the second song was Ellie's version, as played at the Royal Wedding first dance, "Your Song". And all I have to say is this is the first and last time I will feel sorry for the house Of Windsor.