Emily Middlemas

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 and attended Woodfarm High School.

Middlemas has been in a relationship with fellow singer Ryan Lawrie since 2015. In 2022, the couple got engaged. They got married in 2025.

Career At the age of nine, Middlemas started her performing career in a band called Loud N Proud, and at thirteen, she began writing her own songs. Later that year, she auditioned for the eleventh series of The X Factor, and reached judges' houses, but failed to proceed further.

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')". Middlemas was placed in the "girls" category and reached the live shows, where she was mentored by Simon Cowell. 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.

The X Factor performances and results Show Song choice Theme Result Auditions "Master Blaster (Jammin')" – Stevie Wonder 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) 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) Quarter-Final "Toxic" – Britney Spears Louis Loves Safe (2nd) "Human" – Rag'n'Bone Man Contestant's Choice Semi-Final "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" – John Lennon & Yoko Ono & Plastic Ono Band Christmas Bottom two (4th) "Mad World" – Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules Contestant's Choice "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. The Memory Lane Tour consisted of 11 dates. In March 2018, she released her second single, "Layla", a tribute to a young girl who died from neuroblastoma cancer. Later that year, she released two further singles, titled "Habit" and "Broken Record".

In August 2019, Middlemas announced that she had adopted the stage name Ili. That same month, she released "A Little Bit" as her debut single. In September 2019, "Changes" was released as the title track from her debut EP, Changes. On 1 November 2019, Ili released the five-track EP Changes. She then released the single "Breath" on 8 May 2020. Two years later, Ili released "Time Goes By". 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". In 2025, she was a co-writer on "Voyage", recorded by Zoë Më to represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. In 2026, Middlemas co-composed the track "Hawaii" with Lawrie for K-pop group Red Velvet's second special summer EP Velvet Summer, in collaboration with member Joy who penned the Korean lyrics.

Discography Extended plays Title Details Changes Released: 1 November 2019 Label: Independent Format: Digital download, streaming It's Giving... Released: 16 February 2024 Label: Independent Format: Digital download, streaming Confessions of a People Pleaser Released: 28 August 2026 Label: Independent Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles As solo artist Title Year Album "Lost and Found" 2017 "Layla" 2018 "Habit" "Broken Record" "A Little Bit" 2019 Changes "Changes" "Plastic Knife" "Breath" 2020 "Comedown" "Time Goes By" 2022 It's Giving… "2 Cool 2 Be Somebody" "Tongue Tied" 2023 "Saturday" "Gelato" 2024 "Mean to Me" 2025 Confessions of a People Pleaser "Super Elastic" 2026 "Tears Ago" "In Your Head"

As featured artist Title Year Album "Strange World"(Ummet Ozcan featuring Ili) 2021