Ellie Banke, a 24-year-old singer from Downer's Grove, Illinois, received an unexpected invitation from Ed Sheeran after her cover of his song "Dive" gained immense popularity online.
Since 2022, Banke has been actively sharing her music and covers on social media, amassing nearly 2 million followers on TikTok and 500,000 on Instagram. Her rendition of "Dive," posted in April, quickly went viral, capturing Sheeran's attention.
"It's one of those songs that just feels really good as a vocalist," Banke explained. "I created my own unique version based on the emotions I feel driven towards when I sing them."
Sheeran's music has been a source of comfort for Banke during challenging times. Encouraged by her fans, she urged them to tag Sheeran in her posts, and they responded enthusiastically.
Just a month later, Sheeran invited Banke and her family to London for a collaboration. Since then, she has shared several videos documenting her experiences during the visit.
"I've been the biggest Ed fan since I was 12 years old," she remarked, reflecting on the opportunity to work with her idol.
The duet of "Dive" has already garnered over 20 million views within two weeks of its release, further solidifying Banke's rising status in the music industry.
"It was such an amazing trip, but the first moment we sang together was just so special," Banke said. "His voice is so beautiful!"
