Pop singer Ellie Goulding arrived in Venice on Tuesday displaying a new red ink tattoo across her hand and arm ahead of the 83rd Venice Film Festival. The 39-year-old artist beamed as she stepped off a water taxi in the Italian city, keeping her look casual in a plain white T-shirt, black trousers, and a black Balenciaga baseball cap.
The striking new red artwork extends across Goulding's hand and halfway up her forearm. The musician has not yet revealed the meaning behind the design to her fans. Earlier this year, she was spotted with a small red segment on her hand, suggesting she returned to complete the full artwork after giving birth to her daughter in March.
Goulding, an English singer-songwriter famous for chart-topping pop singles such as Love Me Like You Do and Lights, is well known for her collection of fine-line body art. Her existing inkings include the Tibetan mantra Om mani padme hum, which means jewel in the lotus, etched in red ink on her left wrist. That piece was created by celebrity tattooist Dr Woo, whose real name is Brian Woo, at his parlour in California, leading to speculation that she may have visited the famed artist again for her latest piece.
In 2016, Goulding also received a large, intricate diamond-esque tattoo on her ribcage from Dr Woo following her performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California. The artist explained at the time that his inspiration came from a piece of art Goulding brought with her to the appointment, which she may have acquired while attending the music festival in the California desert.
Festival Schedule and Jury Lineup
The 83rd Venice International Film Festival officially begins its red carpet events on Wednesday. Held annually on the Lido island in the Venetian Lagoon, the event is recognized as the world's oldest film festival, having been founded in 1932. Opening night features the premiere of Ink, a drama directed by British filmmaker Danny Boyle that focuses on the rise of Australian-born media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
The festival runs through September 12, concluding with the Italian costume drama Dio Ride, which translates to God Laughs in English, written and directed by Giovanni Veronesi.
American actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal is chairing the jury for the main competition this year. Gyllenhaal will lead a panel that includes Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, English composer Daniel Blumberg, Italian film critic Francesco Casetti, French director Xavier Giannoli, Afghan director Shahrbanoo Sadat, and Hong Kong director Johnnie To.
Celebrity Attendees and Documentaries
A wide array of international stars is expected to attend the festival over the coming days. Musicians Noel and Liam Gallagher of the rock group Oasis are traveling to Venice to promote their documentary Oasis: Don't Look Back In Anger. The film documents the band's 2025 reunion tour following years of public separation.
Other high-profile guests expected on the red carpet include acting sisters Rooney Mara and Kate Mara, Robert Pattinson, Pamela Anderson, Sam Rockwell, John Malkovich, French actor Louis Garrel, and South Korean actress Cho Yeo-jeong. Oscar-winning Spanish actors Penélope Cruz and her husband Javier Bardem are also set to attend. Veteran American actress Ellen Burstyn will receive a lifetime achievement award at the event.
George Clooney Earns Golden Lion Honor
Earlier on Tuesday, Hollywood star George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney made a high-profile entrance to the festival via water taxi. Amal, a 48-year-old international human rights lawyer, wore khaki shorts and a matching blazer. George, 65, wore white chinos and a navy T-shirt as he helped his wife disembark and waved to onlookers on the dock.
George Clooney will receive the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award during the opening day festivities on Wednesday. The presentation comes one year after he attended Venice to promote his film Jay Kelly, in which he portrayed a movie star traveling to Italy to accept a lifetime achievement award. His real-life award mirrors his recent on-screen role.
The couple traveled to Venice from their 15-bedroom villa located a few hours away on Lake Como in northern Italy, where they reside with their nine-year-old fraternal twins, Ella and Alexander.
Venice holds a significant history for Clooney, who first attended the festival nearly 30 years ago with his crime comedy film Out Of Sight. The city was also the site of the couple's 2014 wedding at the Aman Venice hotel, as well as the premiere of Good Night, And Good Luck, a historical drama Clooney co-wrote, starred in, and directed, earning his first Academy Award nomination for best director.
