Ellie Goulding's BRIT Awards speech regarding women in the music industry wasn't her idea.
Ellie Goulding
The 'Love Me Like You Do' singer had responded to Grammys CEO Neil Portnow's comment that they needed to "step up" to take charge at an executive level, and her statement was one of the few political moments at the BRITs ceremony at The O2 in London in February.
She said at the time: "It's so amazing to see so many people tonight wearing the rose. We're very proud to be women, and actually I think we can all agree that we've been stepping up for years."
However, Ellie has now admitted she was asked to address Portnow's comments at the ceremony in February, and didn't want to say no.
She told Metro.co.uk: "To be completely honest with you, I was asked to say that. I didn't want to say no, because I thought it was something that should have been said by someone. I was like 'if no one else is going to say it, then I'll say it'. I massively respect the Grammys, I just think there needs to be a little bit more equality. I think I was the voice of a lot of women, to be honest."
Although it wasn't her idea, the 31-year-old hitmaker insisted it was a good opportunity to "remind women of the power" they all have.
She added: "It's moments like that at the BRITs that you have to remind women of the power they have in them. It's been a long time since I started, and it hasn't been easy.
"But I'm still here, and I'm very grateful for that. And it's been with the help and support of many, many strong women. I surround myself with women.
"My dream is still an all-female team. My manager is a strong female, my tour manager is a strong female. I love working with people who see things, in my opinion, from a fresh perspective. And I would say they're partly responsible for me being here today. Not being alive! Just my job."
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