Ella Mai – Bio, Career, Age, Achievements

INTRODUCTION

Ella Mai is a British R&B singer and songwriter who rose to international fame with her Grammy Award-winning hit “Boo’d Up,” which peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. Born in London to a Jamaican mother and an English-Irish father, she has become one of the most celebrated R&B voices of her generation with her soulful sound and emotionally honest songwriting.

Birth name: Ella Mai Howell

Career

R&B singer, songwriter

Birthday

November 3, 1994

Age: 31

Zodiac Sign:
Scorpio

Birthplace: London, England, United Kingdom

Nationality: British

HOW BIG IS Ella Mai ON THE NET?

Ella Mai has built a strong online following with millions of followers on Instagram and her songs frequently receiving massive streaming numbers on Spotify and Apple Music. Her breakout single “Boo’d Up” broke the record for the most weeks at number one by a woman on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, and she continues to be a major force in contemporary R&B.

HOW DID Ella Mai become famous?

She gained fame after her single “Boo’d Up” from her third EP “Ready” (2017) became a sleeper hit, eventually peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was discovered by DJ Mustard, who signed her to his 10 Summers Records label under Interscope Records. “Boo’d Up” won Best R&B Song at the 61st Grammy Awards, and her follow-up single “Trip” peaked at number 11 on the Hot 100.

BEFORE THE FAME

Ella Mai studied at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute London (BIMM London) in 2014. During that time, she competed on series 11 of The X Factor UK as part of a trio called Arize, but did not advance beyond the initial audition. The group broke up shortly after. She was named after jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald by her mother, who loved American jazz music. At age 12, she moved to New York City before returning to England.

CLOSE WITH (ASSOCIATED)

Ella Mai was signed to DJ Mustard‘s 10 Summers Records under Interscope Records. She toured with Kehlani on her SweetSexySavage Tour and joined Bruno Mars on the 24K Magic World Tour. Her self-titled debut album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, John Legend, and H.E.R.. She has also collaborated with JID, 6lack, and Meek Mill.

Personal LIFE and Relationship

Ella Mai is dating Boston Celtics basketball player Jayson Tatum. The couple welcomed a son in 2024. She was born to a Jamaican mother and an English-Irish father in London. She attended BIMM London for her music education. Her self-titled debut album (2018) peaked at number five on the Billboard 200, her second album “Heart on My Sleeve” was released in 2022, and her third album “Do You Still Love Me?” was published in February 2026. She won three Billboard Music Awards in 2019, including Top R&B Artist.