{{Short description|Scottish singer-songwriter (born 1998)}} {{Use British English|date=July 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Ili | birth_name = Emily Middlemas | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1998|09|26}} | birth_place = Glasgow, Scotland | occupation = Singer-songwriter | education = Woodfarm High School | spouse = {{Marriage|Ryan Lawrie|2025}} | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | instrument = {{Hlist|Vocals|guitar|piano}} | years_active = 2007–present | origin = Thornliebank, Renfrewshire, Scotland | genre = Pop | website = {{URL|thisisili.com}} }} }}
'''Emily Middlemas''' (born 26 September 1998), known professionally as '''Ili''' (stylised in all lowercase), is a Scottish singer-songwriter. In 2014, she auditioned for the eleventh series of ''The X Factor'' but did not progress to the live shows. She returned two years later for the thirteenth series, where she been the ninth contestant eliminated. She competed in both under her birth name, Emily Middlemas, but in 2019, she began using her stage name and independently released her debut extended play, ''Changes''.
==Early and personal life== Middlemas was born on 26 September 1998, in Glasgow<ref name="early life">{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13181089.scottish-schoolgirl-wows-on-x-factor/|title=Scottish schoolgirl wows on X Factor|website=The Herald|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117220909/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13181089.scottish-schoolgirl-wows-on-x-factor/|url-status=live}}</ref> and attended Woodfarm High School.<ref name="early life" /> Middlemas auditioned for ''Britain’s Got Talent'' at a young age.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-teenager-emily-middlemas-tipped-4173983|title=Scots teenager Emily Middlemas tipped for X Factor success by Simon Cowell|last=Fulton|first=Rick|access-date=3 December 2018|date=6 August 2014|archive-date=4 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204005626/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-teenager-emily-middlemas-tipped-4173983|url-status=live}}</ref>
Middlemas has been in a relationship with fellow singer Ryan Lawrie since 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a816107/x-factor-emily-middlemas-and-ryan-lawrie-marrying/|title=X Factor's Emily and Ryan are already talking marriage|last=Harp|first=Justin|date=6 December 2016|website=Digital Spy|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117220911/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a816107/x-factor-emily-middlemas-and-ryan-lawrie-marrying/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://heatworld.com/celebrity/news/ryan-lawrie-emily-middlemas-engaged/|title=Are Ryan Lawrie and Emily Middlemas engaged or wot?|last=Foreman|first=Polly|date=21 December 2019|website=Heat|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117220854/https://heatworld.com/celebrity/news/ryan-lawrie-emily-middlemas-engaged/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.look.co.uk/news/ryan-lawrie-emily-middlemas-engaged-569669/amp|title=Ryan Lawrie Denies That He And Emily Middlemas Are Engaged - Look Magazine|last=Duff|first=Anna|date=20 December 2019|website=Look|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117220925/https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/entertainment/tv-and-film|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, the couple got engaged.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tárnai |first1=Eszter |title=X factor star Emily Middlemas from Glasgow engaged to Scots songwriter Ryan Lawrie |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-news/20188222.amp/ |access-date=29 August 2022 |work=Glasgow Times |date=5 June 2022}}</ref> They got married in 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=X-Factor stars say 'I do' in stunning wedding ceremony |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-news/25399068.x-factor-stars-say-i-do-stunning-wedding-ceremony/ |access-date=15 February 2026 |work=Glasgow Times}}</ref>
==Career== At the age of nine, Middlemas started her performing career in a band called Loud N Proud,<ref name="neuroblastoma">{{cite web|URL=https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk/news/emily-layla|title=Emily Middlemas Layla Song To Be Released 16 March 2018|publisher=neuroblastoma.org|date=12 March 2018|access-date=6 December 2018|archive-date=7 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207102913/https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk/news/emily-layla|url-status=live}}</ref> and at thirteen, she began writing her own songs.<ref name="neuroblastoma"/> In July 2014, Middlemas won TeenStar, an annual singing competition held in Birmingham.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.teenstarcompetition.co.uk/News/how-to-make-it-in-the-music-industry-teenstar-2014-champion-announced|title=How to 'Make It' in the Music Industry - TeenStar 2014 Champion Announced|website=TeenStar|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117220907/https://www.teenstarcompetition.co.uk/News/how-to-make-it-in-the-music-industry-teenstar-2014-champion-announced|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, she auditioned for the eleventh series of ''The X Factor'', and reached judges' houses, but failed to proceed further.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/talent-shows/emily-middlemas-returns-to-x-factor-for-another-shot-at-live-shows/|title=Emily Middlemas returns to X Factor for another shot at live shows|website=Radio Times|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=17 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117162331/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-08-28/emily-middlemas-returns-to-x-factor-for-another-shot-at-live-shows/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/the-x-factor/281629-x-factors-emily-middlemas-says-cheryl-right-say-no-2014.html|title=X Factor's Emily Middlemas says Cheryl was right to say no in 2014|last=Darvill|first=Josh|date=6 October 2016|website=TellyMix|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=22 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222100631/http://www.tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/the-x-factor/281629-x-factors-emily-middlemas-says-cheryl-right-say-no-2014.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-08-28/emily-middlemas-returns-to-x-factor-for-another-shot-at-live-shows/|title=Emily Middlemas returns to X Factor for another shot at live shows|work=Radio Times|access-date=26 April 2020|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810120150/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-08-28/emily-middlemas-returns-to-x-factor-for-another-shot-at-live-shows/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Middlemas then returned to audition for the thirteenth series of ''The X Factor'' in 2016, singing a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster (Jammin')".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-12-04/who-is-the-x-factors-emily-middlemas-everything-you-need-to-know-about-simon-cowells-live-act/|title=Who is The X Factor's Emily Middlemas? Everything you need to know about Simon Cowell's live act|website=Radio Times|access-date=21 July 2020|archive-date=14 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614180725/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-12-04/who-is-the-x-factors-emily-middlemas-everything-you-need-to-know-about-simon-cowells-live-act|url-status=live}}</ref> Middlemas was placed in the "girls" category and reached the live shows, where she was mentored by Simon Cowell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://heatworld.com/entertainment/tv-movies/x-factor-emily-middlemas-simon-cowell/|title=Did The X Factor’s Emily Middlemas blame Simon Cowell for her getting the boot?|last=Aspinall|first=Georgia|date=5 December 2016|website=Heat|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117220851/https://heatworld.com/entertainment/tv-movies/x-factor-emily-middlemas-simon-cowell/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the eliminations of Gifty Louise in week 4 and Sam Lavery in week 6, Middlemas became Cowell's last remaining act in the competition. She was in the bottom two in the semi-final, against Matt Terry, and was the ninth contestant eliminated.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/x-factor-2016-emily-middlemas-loses-place-in-final-as-judges-save-matt-terry-a3412076.html|title=Emily Middlemas loses place in X Factor final as Matt Terry is saved|work=Evening Standard|access-date=26 April 2020|archive-date=17 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117162317/https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/x-factor-2016-emily-middlemas-loses-place-in-final-as-judges-save-matt-terry-a3412076.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/emily-middlemas-eliminated-from-x-factor-after-singoff-with-matt-terry-35268204.html|title=Emily Middlemas eliminated from X Factor after sing-off with Matt Terry|date=5 December 2016|work=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=18 November 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=28 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428152403/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/emily-middlemas-eliminated-from-x-factor-after-singoff-with-matt-terry-35268204.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="margin:1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;" |- ! colspan="4"| ''The X Factor'' performances and results |- ! style="text-align:centre;"| Show ! style="text-align:centre;"| Song choice ! style="text-align:centre;"| Theme ! style="text-align:centre;"| Result |- ! Auditions | "Master Blaster (Jammin')" – Stevie Wonder | rowspan="4" {{n/a}} | Through to bootcamp |- ! Bootcamp | ''Unknown'' | Through to six-chair challenge |- ! Six-chair challenge | "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" – Cyndi Lauper | Through to judges' houses |- ! Judges' houses | "Ex's and Oh's" – Elle King | Through to live shows |- ! Live show 1 | "Closer" – The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey | Express Yourself | Safe (3rd) |- ! Live show 2 | "Stop! In the Name of Love" – The Supremes | Motown | Safe (3rd) |- ! Live show 3 | "How Will I Know" – Whitney Houston | Divas & Legends | Safe (3rd) |- |- style="background:lightgreen;" ! Live show 4 | "Creep" – Radiohead | Fright Night | Safe (1st) |- ! Live show 5 | "What Makes You Beautiful" – One Direction | Girlband vs Boyband | Safe (3rd) |- ! Live show 6 | "Wishing on a Star" – Rose Royce | Disco | Safe (4th) |- ! Live show 7 | "It Must Have Been Love" – Roxette | Movies | Safe (4th) |- ! rowspan="2" | Quarter-Final | "Toxic" – Britney Spears | Louis Loves | rowspan="2" | Safe (2nd) |- | "Human" – Rag'n'Bone Man | Contestant's Choice |- style="background:lightblue;" ! rowspan="3" | Semi-Final | "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" – John Lennon & Yoko Ono & Plastic Ono Band | Christmas | rowspan="2" | Bottom two (4th) |- style="background:lightblue;" | "Mad World" – Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules | Contestant's Choice |- style="background:pink;" | "Wings" – Birdy | Sing-off | Eliminated (fourth place) |}
In 2017, Middlemas released her first single, "Lost and Found", after which she embarked on her debut headline tour across the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://celebmix.com/review-emily-middlemas-memory-lane-tour-belfast/|title=Review: Emily Middlemas ‘Memory Lane Tour’ – Belfast|last=Dempster|first=Rachel|date=1 October 2019|website=CelebMix|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117220854/https://celebmix.com/review-emily-middlemas-memory-lane-tour-belfast/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/the-x-factor/328552-x-factors-emily-middlemas-kicks-off-live-tour-debut-single.html|title=X Factor's Emily Middlemas kicks off live tour with her debut single|last=Darvill|first=Josh|date=1 September 2017|website=TellyMix|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929115210/https://tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/the-x-factor/328552-x-factors-emily-middlemas-kicks-off-live-tour-debut-single.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Memory Lane Tour consisted of 11 dates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/emily-middlemas-debut-single-newcastle-13620183|title=X Factor's Emily ready to show the real her with surprising debut|last=Duke|first=Simon|date=15 September 2017|website=Chronicle Live|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925122002/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/emily-middlemas-debut-single-newcastle-13620183|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2018, she released her second single, "Layla", a tribute to a young girl who died from neuroblastoma cancer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://celebmix.com/emily-middlemas-announces-second-single-layla/|title=Emily Middlemas Announces Second Single ‘Layla’|last=Dempster|first=Rachel|date=10 March 2019|website=CelebMix|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331143925/https://celebmix.com/emily-middlemas-announces-second-single-layla/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/x-factor-singer-emily-middlemas-12209062|title=X Factor singer Emily Middlemas pens a song in memory of youngster Layla Greene|last=Speirs|first=Kathleen|date=18 March 2018|work=Daily Record|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=17 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117162330/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/x-factor-singer-emily-middlemas-12209062|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, she released two further singles, titled "Habit" and "Broken Record".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://celebmix.com/emily-middlemas-releases-new-single-habit-with-producer-rob-late/|title=Emily Middlemas Releases New Single ‘Habit’ With Producer Rob Late|date=7 August 2018|work=CelebMix|access-date=30 November 2018|language=en|archive-date=1 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201010801/https://celebmix.com/emily-middlemas-releases-new-single-habit-with-producer-rob-late/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In August 2019, Middlemas announced that she had adopted the stage name Ili.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=thisisili|number=1162031431100567552|date=15 August 2019|title=it’s time for change, new beginnings and a whole new era...i feel confident in my own skin and for the first time in my life, i am fearless. power is not given to you- you have to take it. i have never felt more in control, this is a different kind of passion. this is ili.}}</ref> That same month, she released "A Little Bit" as her debut single.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://atwoodmagazine.com/ialb-ili-a-little-bit-song-premiere-emily-middlemas/|title=Premiere: Emily Middlemas Ascends as ili with Stunning Debut "A Little Bit"|date=22 August 2019|website=Atwood Magazine|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=7 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007093933/http://atwoodmagazine.com/ialb-ili-a-little-bit-song-premiere-emily-middlemas/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.withguitars.com/ili-emily-middlemas-debuts-haunting-alt-pop-gem-a-little-bit/|title=ili (Emily Middlemas) debuts haunting alt-pop gem ‘A Little Bit’|last=Peters|first=Jo|date=27 August 2019|website=WithGuitars|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117220853/https://www.withguitars.com/ili-emily-middlemas-debuts-haunting-alt-pop-gem-a-little-bit/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2019, "Changes" was released as the title track from her debut EP, ''Changes''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.arcstreet.com/2019/09/ili-emily-middlemas-shares-new-track-changes.html|title=ILI (EMILY MIDDLEMAS) SHARES NEW TRACK 'CHANGES'|website=Arc Street|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=24 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024103024/http://www.arcstreet.com/2019/09/ili-emily-middlemas-shares-new-track-changes.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elicitmagazine.com/ili-changes/|title=ili (Emily Middlemas) shares new track "Changes"|date=24 September 2019|website=Elicit Magazine|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117220914/https://www.elicitmagazine.com/ili-changes/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 November 2019, Ili released the five-track EP ''Changes''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elicitmagazine.com/ili-tom-cruise/|title=Ili Shares New Single "Tom Cruise" From Forthcoming EP|date=1 November 2019|website=Elicit Magazine|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019|archive-date=6 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106192729/http://www.elicitmagazine.com/ili-tom-cruise/|url-status=live}}</ref> She then released the single "Breath" on 8 May 2020.<ref name="Breath">{{Cite tweet|number=1252980541223243779|title=🦋 BREATH 🦋 colours era is here and im so excited to announce my next single is coming on the 8th of may. this song means so much to me and i hope this will connect with you all. pre save now|user=thisisili|date=22 April 2020}}</ref> Two years later, Ili released "Time Goes By".<ref>{{cite news |title=PREMIERE: ILI – "TIME GOES BY" |url=https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2022/08/26/premiere-ili-time-goes-by/ |access-date=29 August 2022 |work=Wonderland}}</ref> Then in May 2023, she released the song "Tongue Tied", which was noted by ''Notion'' for "beginning to transcend Scotland’s borders and make an impact globally".<ref>{{cite news |title=Undiscovered: Christian Cohle, KAT & DARGZ |url=https://notion.online/undiscovered-christian-cohle-kat-dargz/ |access-date=16 August 2023 |work=Notion |date=19 May 2023}}</ref> In 2025, she was a co-writer on "Voyage", recorded by Zoë Më to represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=Switzerland: Zoë Më's song for Eurovision 2025 released: "Voyage" |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/switzerland-zoe-me-releases-voyage-for-eurovision-2025 |access-date=10 March 2025 |work=Eurovision World}}</ref>
==Discography== ===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Details |- ! scope="row" | ''Changes'' | * Released: 1 November 2019 * Label: Independent * Format: Digital download, streaming |- ! scope="row" | ''It's Giving...'' | * Released: 16 February 2024 * Label: Independent * Format: Digital download, streaming |- ! scope="row" | ''Confessions of a People Pleaser'' | * Released: 2026 * Label: Independent * Format: Digital download, streaming |}
===Singles=== ====As solo artist==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album |- ! scope="row" | "Lost and Found" | 2017 | rowspan="4" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |- ! scope="row" | "Layla" | rowspan="3" | 2018 |- ! scope="row" | "Habit" |- ! scope="row" | "Broken Record" |- ! scope="row" | "A Little Bit" | rowspan="3" | 2019 | rowspan="3" | ''Changes'' |- ! scope="row" | "Changes" |- ! scope="row" | "Plastic Knife" |- ! scope="row" | "Breath" | rowspan="2" | 2020 | rowspan="2" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |- ! scope="row" | "Comedown" |- ! scope="row" | "Time Goes By" | rowspan="2" | 2022 | rowspan="4" | ''It's Giving…'' |- ! scope="row" | "2 Cool 2 Be Somebody" |- ! scope="row" | "Tongue Tied" | rowspan="2" | 2023 |- ! scope="row" | "Saturday" |- ! scope="row" | "Gelato" | 2024 | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "Mean to Me" | 2025 | rowspan="4" | ''Confessions of a People Pleaser'' |- ! scope="row" | "Super Elastic" | rowspan="3" | 2026 |- ! scope="row" | "Tears Ago" |- ! scope="row" | "In Your Head" |}
====As featured artist==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album |- ! scope="row" | "Strange World"<br><span style="font-size:85%;">(Ummet Ozcan featuring Ili)</span> | 2021 | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|thisisili.com}}
{{The X Factor (UK)}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ili}} Category:1998 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Scottish singers Category:Singers from Glasgow Category:Scottish women singer-songwriters Category:British singer-songwriters Category:The X Factor (British TV series) contestants