Ellie Goulding has told how she seeks advice from famous friends Taylor Swift and Katy Perry about fame.

The 27-year-old British singer told Glamour magazine how she aims to surround herself with powerful women, and turns to Taylor and Katy for guidance about fame.

Ellie said of her famous pals: "We're friends because they understand the predicaments. They see what is and isn't real.

''I'm not anywhere near their level of fame, but if I say, 'Oh God Taylor, this happened', she'll be like, 'Girl, that's nothing.' Suck it up, kind of thing."

She added: ''I have strong female characters all around me, really cool women. My tour manager is a woman, my manager is a woman.

"I want to be surrounded by powerful women, not men.''

The singer - who is also friends with Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul - said of her celebrity contacts: "You just meet these people - on TV, radio, at concerts."