Ellise
Birth dateSeptember 10, 1998 (age 27)
Birth placeFoster City, California, U.S.
GenreDark pop
OccupationSinger · songwriter
Years active2016–present
Label
Websitewww.ellise.wtf

Ellise Mariana Gitas (born September 10, 1998), known mononymously as Ellise, is an Iraqi-American singer and songwriter.[1] She is known for her dark-pop influenced songs and her Halloween themed extended plays. Her debut studio album, Chaotic, was released in 2021.

Early life

Ellise was born in Foster City, California.[2] Her mother moved to the United States from Iraq at 15 years old.[3] She grew up living with her parents and younger brother, who is also a producer and a musician.[4][5] After attaining her high school diploma from Monte Vista High School, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a singer, when she was age 17.[6]

Career

In 2016, she was selected for the Uproxx Uncharted series.[7][6] She worked with producer Chris Seefried in the series to create her debut single, "Break Down".[6] She was also a finalist of the 2016 iHeartRadio Rising Star Competition.[8][9] In July, she performed at her first major concert at an unveiling of new rides at Luna Park.[10][11] She released an EDM single titled "Dominoes" and the music video was directed by Paul Boyd.[2]

In 2018, she left her former record label, Grange records. During this period, she independently released the dark-pop singles "Love Made Me Do It", "Fight!", and "Pinky Promise". Tracks "Nightmares" and "911" enjoyed the most success.[12] This was followed by the release of her debut extended play (EP), Can You Keep a Secret.[13] In 2019, she released her second EP Under My Bed. Her brother produced some of the song in the EP.[4]

In 2021, she got signed to Empire Records,[14] under which she released her debut album Chaotic.[13][15] She was featured in Iggy Azalea's album The End of an Era, on the track "Day 3 in Miami".[16][17] She released her third EP, Letting The Wolf In.[18][19][20] In November, she collaborated with DeathbyRomy and Mothica on a remix for the song "Soul Sucker", originally from the EP.[21][22] She was featured by Savage Ga$p on his debut album title track The Long Halloween.[23]

In 2022, she signed to AWAL. Erik Ron produced "Black Balloons" and in 2023, "Half a Heart".[24][13] She also released the single "Did It Hurt" in 2023.[22] The same year, she collaborated with Ashley Sienna on the song "Pretty in the Dark",[25] and then on "Pity Party" with Neoni.[26]

Influences

She names Ariana Grande, Lorde, Lana Del Rey and Melanie Martinez as her inspirations.[27][28] According to Paper Magazine and Wonderland Magazine, she makes "dark pop".[20][21]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleNotes
Chaotic
  • Released: May 14, 2021
  • Label: Empire
Pretty Evil
  • Released: March 28, 2025
  • Label: Hell Bent Heaven Sent

Live albums

TitleNotes
Chaotic (Live)
  • Released: September 10, 2021
  • Label: Hell Bent Heaven Sent / Empire

Extended plays

TitleNotes
Can You Keep a Secret?
  • Released: October 12, 2018
  • Label: Hell Bent Heaven Sent
Under My Bed
  • Released: October 17, 2019
  • Label: Hell Bent Heaven Sent
Letting the Wolf In
  • Released: October 15, 2021
  • Label: Empire
Over Her Dead Body
  • Released: October 13, 2023
  • Label: Hell Bent Heaven Sent
Bedroom Confessional
  • Released: April 10, 2026
  • Label: Hell Bent Heaven Sent

Singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Break Down"2016rowspan="6"
"Dominoes"
"Love Made Me Do It"2018
"Pinky Promise"
"Fight!"
"Keep It To Myself"2019
"Bubblegum Brain"2021Chaotic
"Feeling Something Bad..."
"Over Breakfast"
"Soul Sucker, Pt. 2" (with DeathbyRomy and Mothica)rowspan="7"
"Black Balloons"2022
"Did It Hurt?"
"brokenboys&bitterbitches"2023
"Pity Party" (with Neoni)
"She Ruins Everything"
"Dollface" (with Ashley Sienna)2024
"Bite"Pretty Evil
"Dead2Me"
"Valentine"2025
"Kill4Me"
"Die" (with Ella Boh)rowspan="2"
"Whiplash" (with Allegra Jordyn)
"Sexxxtapes"rowspan="3 | 2026Bedroom Confessional
"Littlepill"
"Her"

Guest appearances

TitleYearOther artist(s)Album
"Make Me / Fly"2017Alec JosephSmashups
"Tell Me"2019Prince FoxAll This Music, Vol. 1
"What Are We Waiting For"VAX
"If I..."2020Didrick FranzenDream Journal
"Lovesick"2021guccihighwatersJoke's On You
"Day 3 In Miami (End of an Era)"Iggy AzaleaThe End of an Era
"Pretty In The Dark"2023Ashley SiennaI Am
"Pockets"2026RJ PasinThe Indomitable Human Spirit (Deluxe)

Tours

Headlining

  • The Pretty Evil Tour (2025)[29]

Supporting

References

  1. ^ "These Top Musicians Got Started Way Earlier Than Anyone Thought They Should". UPROXX. 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  2. ^ A. O. L. Staff (2016-09-15). "How Ellise's First EP Came To Life". AOL. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  3. ^ Kiefer, Elizabeth (2016-07-29). "Ellise Is Like An EDM Version Of Ariana Grande & That's A Good Thing". Refinery29
  4. ^ "Ellise Talks Moving To LA And Struggles Of "Making It" In The Industry". WiLD 94.9. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  5. ^ "From Classically-Trained Pianist to Rising Pop-R&B Star, lilspirit Finds His Lane in 'american spirit'". Ones to Watch. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  6. ^ Galbraith, Alex (2016-03-24). "This Is What A Dream Coming True Looks Like For A 16-Year-Old Singer". Uproxx. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  7. ^ "Love Made (Her) Do It: Chatting With Singer Ellise On Chasing Music Stardom". Cliche Magazine. 2018-04-06. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  8. ^ "Ellise Gitas Interview". Naluda Magazine. 2016-06-08. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  9. ^ "Ellise Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  10. ^ "Luna Park Spotlights Local Musical Talent With Summer Series". Bklyner. 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  11. ^ "Coney Island's Luna Park Gets Two New Rides". Crain's New York
  12. ^ "Exclusive Interview: Ellise Discusses Over Her Dead Body EP, Artistic Growth, and More". Pop Culturalist. 2023-10-20. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  13. ^ Mallory, Jordan (2022-10-29). "Ellise Threw The Pity Party Of Our Dreams With 'Black Balloons'". The Honey POP. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  14. ^ "Ellise | 'Letting The Wolf In' EP and 'Soul Sucker, Pt. 2'". Flaunt. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  15. ^ "Alternative Pop Rising Star Ellise Shows The Dark Sides of The Human Experience With Her Debut Record 'Chaotic". Mundane. 2021-05-25. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  16. ^ Mahadevan, Tara. "Iggy Azalea Releases New Album 'The End Of An Era' f/ BIA, Sophia Scott, And Ellise". Complex. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  17. ^ Rowley, Glenn (2023-01-10). "Iggy Azalea Promises New Music And 'Scandalous Sh–' Is On the Way". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  18. ^ "Ellise - Letting The Wolf In [Album]". EMPIRE OFFICIAL WEBSITE. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  19. ^ "Ellise Unveils New Halloween Album 'Letting The Wolf In'". Out Now Magazine. 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  20. ^ "Ellise Is 'Letting The Wolf In'". Paper
  21. ^ "Dark-Pop Artist Ellise Drops Track "Soul Sucker pt.2"". Wonderland. 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  22. ^ ""Did It Hurt" by Ellise is a Single About Losing Bad Love". Sheesh Media. Retrieved 2023-12-25.[dead link]
  23. ^ "Savage Ga$p Takes Over October With "The Long Halloween"". Grooverelly. 2020-10-22. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  24. ^ "Who produced "Half A Heart" by Ellise?". Genius. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  25. ^ "Ashley Sienna & Ellise, Feel the Spellbinding Power of the official video for "Pretty In The Dark": Step into a World Inspired By the Movie "The Craft"". Flaunt. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  26. ^ "Music Release Radar: Hottest albums and singles dropping September 11–17". TAG24. 2023-09-12. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  27. ^ "See What Ellise's Go-To Starbucks Drink Is...And More!". AOL. 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  28. ^ Kiefer, Elizabeth. "Listen Up: This Teen Is The Next Ariana Grande". Refinery29. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  29. ^ Ramiscal, Jenna. "Ellise bewitches fans on the closing night of the ‘Pretty Evil Tour Act II’". The Daily Aztec. Retrieved 2026-05-07.