Ella Mai, the voice behind some of the most captivating R&B melodies, has taken the world by storm.

 

 

Her journey from obscurity to stardom is not just a tale of talent, but also one of resilience and secrecy.

Born on November 3, 1994, in London, England, Ella Mai Howell transformed rejection into a $6 million empire and a Grammy award.

But there’s a twist that had the internet buzzing.

In August 2024, while her career was skyrocketing, she was secretly carrying NBA champion Jason Tatum’s baby.

Yes, you heard it right.

This is the story of how a girl who faced rejection on national television became R&B royalty, ignited one of the messiest controversies in music history, dated an NBA superstar in complete secrecy, and became a mother without anyone knowing she was pregnant.

And believe me, the drama is just beginning.

In 2014, Ella Mai auditioned for the X Factor UK as part of a girl group called Arise.

Simon Cowell, the man known for his brutal honesty, looked at them and simply said no.

They didn’t even make it past the initial rounds.

The cameras captured Ella’s disappointment, and then they swiftly moved on to the next hopeful candidate.

Most people would have given up right there.

Rejection on national television is brutal.

But Ella wasn’t most people.

She enrolled at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute in London, studying music production and vocal performance while her fellow contestants faded into obscurity.

 

 

What makes Ella’s story fascinating is that she wasn’t just talented; she was strategic.

While her peers chased record deals and fame, Ella was building something sustainable.

She started posting covers and original songs on Instagram and SoundCloud, cultivating a small but dedicated following.

Nothing viral, nothing explosive—just consistent, quality music.

In 2015, at just 21 years old, Ella released her debut EP, *Troubled*.

Independently, the project garnered decent streaming numbers in the UK, but it didn’t change her life.

She was still working regular jobs, still wondering if music would ever pay the bills.

Then, in 2015, something happened that changed everything.

It wasn’t a viral moment or a lucky break.

It was a DM from a producer who saw potential that nobody else recognized yet.

DJ Mustard, the West Coast hitmaker behind tracks for YG, Ty Dolla Sign, and Rihanna, discovered Ella’s page while scrolling through Instagram.

He listened to her music and heard something special—a voice that could convey emotion without oversinging.

Lyrics that felt genuine and a modern take on ’90s R&B that felt fresh.

 

 

Mustard reached out directly, wanting to sign her to his label, 10 Summers Records, which had a distribution deal with Interscope.

For Ella, this was the moment.

A legitimate producer, a major label backing, and a chance to work with someone who understood her sound.

In 2016, she moved from London to Los Angeles, leaving behind everything familiar to chase a dream that had already rejected her once.

From 2016 to 2018, Ella released three EPs under 10 Summers Records: *Change*, *Ready*, and *Ella Mai*.

Each project showcased her growth, her range, and her ability to write songs that felt both personal and universal.

But still, mainstream success eluded her.

Radio stations weren’t playing her music, and she wasn’t getting major playlist placements.

Then came February 2018, and everything changed in the most unexpected way.

“Boo’d Up,” a song Ella had released months earlier, suddenly exploded on social media.

It wasn’t planned; there was no marketing campaign.

People just started discovering the song organically, creating dance videos, relationship content, and couple montages using the track.

The song went from a few thousand streams per day to hundreds of thousands, then millions.

Radio stations that had ignored Ella for years suddenly couldn’t stop playing “Boo’d Up.”

The song climbed the Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at number five and spending weeks in the top ten.

By summer 2018, “Boo’d Up” was the song of the year.

Wedding receptions, summer cookouts, romantic playlists—everyone was playing Ella Mai.

She went from unknown to unavoidable in a matter of months.

Major brands wanted partnerships, award shows wanted performances, and other artists wanted collaborations.

In October 2018, Ella released her self-titled debut album, *Ella Mai*.

 

 

The project debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum.

She had finally arrived.

But success brought something Ella hadn’t prepared for: drama.

In September 2018, R&B singer Jacquees released a remix of Ella’s song “Trip” without her permission.

He called it a “Q mix” and uploaded it to YouTube and SoundCloud.

Within days, Jacquees’s version was getting more streams than Ella’s original.

Fans were commenting that his version was better, and radio DJs were playing his remix instead of her song.

Ella’s team, including DJ Mustard, issued a cease and desist, forcing Jacquees to remove the remix from all platforms.

The internet exploded.

Fans accused Ella of being jealous, insecure, and petty.

Jacquees publicly complained, suggesting Ella was threatened by his talent.

Ella defended herself, explaining that it wasn’t personal; it was business.

The song was climbing the charts, and an unofficial remix was confusing streaming algorithms and radio programmers.

But the damage was done.

The narrative became that Ella Mai was jealous of Jacquees.

Even in 2023, five years later, Jacquees claimed Ella still had him blocked on social media and refused to speak to him.

The beef became R&B folklore, a cautionary tale about remix culture and artist rights.

While the industry debated who was right, Ella stayed focused on her music.

In February 2019, she attended the 61st annual Grammy Awards and won Best R&B Song for “Boo’d Up.”

She was 24 years old, a Grammy winner, and one of the biggest names in R&B.

But there was one part of her life she kept completely private: her love life.

In 2019, rumors started circulating that Ella was dating NBA star Jason Tatum of the Boston Celtics.

 

 

Tatum, born March 3, 1998, is one of the league’s brightest stars, a five-time NBA All-Star who would go on to win an NBA championship in 2024.

But Ella and Jason never confirmed their relationship publicly.

No red carpet appearances, no couple photos on Instagram, no public statements.

They kept their romance so private that even their closest industry friends weren’t sure if they were actually together.

Then came 2024, and the secret they had been keeping became impossible to hide.

In August 2024, after Team USA men’s basketball won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, Jason Tatum was photographed celebrating with his family.

And in those photos, Ella Mai was holding a newborn baby—their baby, a child nobody knew existed until that moment.

The internet went into a frenzy.

Ella Mai, one of the most private celebrities in music, had been pregnant for nine months without anyone knowing.

No maternity photos, no pregnancy announcement, no baby shower posts.

She carried and delivered a child in complete secrecy.

Fans were stunned.

How did she hide a pregnancy in an industry where every ounce of weight gain gets scrutinized?

How did no paparazzi catch her with a baby bump?

How did she perform, travel, and work without anyone noticing?

The answer is simple: Ella Mai values her privacy more than publicity.

In a world where celebrities announce pregnancies with elaborate photoshoots and document every moment for engagement, Ella chose silence.

And somehow, it worked.

As of October 2025, Ella still hasn’t publicly discussed her child or confirmed her relationship with Jason Tatum.

She continues to move in complete privacy, refusing to turn her personal life into content.

It’s a power move that’s both admired and criticized, but it’s undeniably effective.

So, where is Ella Mai now?

She’s 30 years old with a net worth of $6 million, a Grammy award, a platinum album, and a secret family that she’s protected from public consumption.

She’s working on new music, with her latest single “Tell Her” teasing a potential sophomore album that fans have been eagerly waiting for.

Industry insiders suggest she’s been in the studio with top producers, crafting a follow-up to her debut that will prove “Boo’d Up” wasn’t a fluke.

But Ella’s moving at her own pace, refusing to rush art for the sake of relevance.

In an industry that demands constant content, she’s chosen quality over quantity.

Her relationship with Jason Tatum remains private.

Though he’s made subtle references to being in a committed relationship during interviews, the two continue to shield their family from media attention, prioritizing their child’s privacy over clicks and headlines.

However, success and privacy haven’t erased the controversies.

The Jacquees situation still resurfaces whenever remix culture is discussed.

Some fans accuse her of being overly protective of her music, while others defend her right to control her own art.

The debate continues, but Ella stays unbothered, focused on building a legacy rather than winning popularity contests.

She’s also faced criticism for not being more visible or vocal in the industry.

Unlike peers who constantly engage with fans on social media and maintain a constant presence, Ella appears when she wants to and disappears when she doesn’t.

Some call it strategic; others call it disconnected.

But this approach has kept her mystique intact.

In recent months, Ella’s been spotted at various industry events, looking happy and healthy, occasionally performing select shows, but mostly staying out of the spotlight.

She’s not chasing hits or trends; she’s building a career designed for longevity, not virality.

The mother who once pushed her daughter to keep singing despite rejection.

The father who supported her move to another country to chase dreams.

The family that believed in her when Simon Cowell didn’t.

They’re all part of a story that proves rejection isn’t permanent and overnight success is usually years in the making.

Ella Mai went from X Factor reject to Grammy winner, from unknown songwriter to platinum-selling artist, from public figure to fiercely private mother.

She did it without compromising her values, without selling her personal life for engagement, and without letting controversy define her narrative.

Her journey proves that you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to be the most successful.

You don’t have to document every moment to make an impact.

And you definitely don’t have to explain yourself to people who wouldn’t understand anyway.

The girl who was told no on national television built a $6 million career by trusting her voice, protecting her peace, and refusing to play by anyone’s rules but her own.

And whether you love her music, respect her privacy, or still think she was wrong about the Jacquees situation, one thing is undeniable.

Ella Mai is exactly who she wants to be on her own terms, and she’s not apologizing for it.