Ellie Ottaway, also known as Ellie Ottaway Josi, is an American fashion model, creative professional, and lifestyle content creator whose career extends well beyond her marriage to Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi. Raised in Michigan and educated in Nashville, she developed an international modeling portfolio that includes fashion campaigns, editorial photography, and music-video appearances. Her public profile later expanded through motherhood, social media, and her connection to professional hockey. Yet the documented story is more substantial than the familiar description of an athlete’s wife: Ottaway had established a career in fashion before her marriage, and she continues to maintain a professional identity of her own.
Early Life and Family Background
Ellie Ottaway grew up in the Grosse Pointe area of Michigan, a collection of communities northeast of Detroit. Her family connections to Grosse Pointe are documented in a 2019 engagement announcement published by the local Grosse Pointe News. The newspaper identified her parents as Andrew Ottaway and Dr. Paula Ottaway, residents of Grosse Pointe Shores.
Her exact birthplace is less firmly established. Some online biographical directories identify Nashville, Tennessee, while other profiles describe Grosse Pointe, Michigan, as her birthplace. Available documentation confirms her Michigan upbringing but does not conclusively establish her birthplace.
Similarly, March 15, 1993, is her widely reported birth date, making her 33 years old as of November 2026. However, that date appears primarily in secondary biographical listings rather than independently accessible birth records.
An Early Interest in Performance
Ottaway’s modeling-agency biography describes childhood ballet training and an early interest in performing. Those experiences introduced her to structured rehearsals, visual presentation, and the demands of performing before an audience.
Her educational background also reflects an interest in the creative industries. After attending school in the Grosse Pointe area, she moved to Nashville to study at Belmont University, an institution with established Music and entertainment-business programs.
Nashville would become central to both her professional and personal life.
Education at Belmont University
According to her publicly accessible professional profile, Ottaway attended Belmont University from 2011 to 2014. Her studies focused on Music Business, with a minor in Music.
Her profile also lists membership in Phi Mu and recognition on the Dean’s List during her university years.
The distinction between her academic training and her eventual profession matters. Ottaway did not follow a straightforward path from a fashion-focused education into modeling. Her background was connected to the commercial and organizational side of entertainment.
Before becoming a professional model, she gained experience in public relations, marketing, and promotional work. Her agency biography identifies internships associated with Media Collective and Muse Boutique in Nashville.
These positions offered exposure to commercial communication and entertainment-related businesses. They also explain why her earliest professional credits span several fields rather than fashion alone.
By the time she completed her studies in 2014, she had begun developing the professional connections that would support her move into modeling.
Beginning Her Professional Modeling Career
Joining The Block Agency in 2014
Ottaway’s formal modeling career is commonly dated to September 2014, when she began working with The Block Agency in Nashville.
The agency maintains a professional portfolio under her name, providing direct evidence of her commercial modeling work.
Her early career coincided with the expansion of digital retail photography. Fashion companies increasingly required models for product listings, catalog campaigns, promotional videos, and online collections.
Unlike traditional runway-focused careers, this work often involved frequent commercial assignments across different clothing categories and visual formats.
Ottaway’s professional record reflects that broader marketplace.
Her modeling-agency biography identifies early assignments involving TJ Maxx, Zappos, and Rue La La, while her professional profile independently lists e-commerce work associated with TJX.
Moving Into International Representation
As her portfolio developed, Ottaway worked with agencies beyond Nashville.
Her representation history includes Wilhelmina Models Miami and METRO Models, the latter maintaining a substantial portfolio of photographs and editorial work.
METRO Models lists her height as approximately 173.5 centimeters, or 5 feet 8½ inches. The Block Agency provides a rounded listing of 5 feet 8 inches.
Such minor variations in agency measurements should not be treated as evidence of conflicting identities.
More significantly, representation across different markets gave Ottaway access to a mixture of commercial, editorial, and international assignments.
Her career was not confined to local promotional work.
Fashion Campaigns and Editorial Recognition
Ottaway’s modeling portfolio includes assignments for established retailers, swimwear labels, and fashion publications.
Brands identified in her agency materials include ASOS, Forever 21, Vinceo, and Peixoto Swimwear.
Her work for Forever 21 included swimwear and intimates-related campaigns. METRO Models also identifies appearances in Nelly lookbooks and other commercial fashion projects.
These assignments demonstrate a career built across several connected areas of the industry: product photography, seasonal advertising, swimwear, and editorial presentation.
Magazine Features and Creative Collaborations
A significant editorial credit is her cover appearance in Fit For Fun Sweden, noted in both agency and biographical material.
Her agency portfolio additionally describes work associated with Vogue Italia and editorial projects for Cake Magazine.
One notable project was a bridal campaign photographed by Anna Zesiger for Nicole Spose in September 2018.
This range of assignments helped establish Ottaway as a working model who can adapt to different photographic styles.
An editorial image, a bridal campaign, and a retail catalog require different approaches to composition and presentation. Her documented credits show experience across these formats.
In 2016, Ottaway also received attention through Sports Illustrated‘s online Lovely Lady of the Day feature, an appearance frequently referenced in accounts of her modeling career.
The feature increased her public visibility, though it should not be confused with an appearance in the magazine’s annual swimsuit issue.
Music Videos and Early Screen Appearances
Ottaway’s involvement in the entertainment industry extended beyond still photography.
Her publicly available professional history includes appearances in music videos and television-related productions in 2014 and 2015.
Documented projects include Chris Young’s Lonely Eyes, Dallas Smith’s Lifted, and Kid Rock’s First Kiss.
She also appeared in visual projects associated with the country duo Big & Rich.
Her professional profile describes a lead female role in the music video for Lifted, released early in her modeling career.
Another listed credit is a supporting appearance in the television series Nashville in March 2015.
These projects are best understood as modeling and on-camera assignments rather than evidence of a separate, sustained acting career.
They nevertheless illustrate the breadth of opportunities available to a performer working in Nashville’s overlapping music, television, and commercial-production industries.
Meeting Roman Josi: A Relationship Beginning in 2015
A major development in Ottaway’s personal life began in 2015, when she met Swiss professional ice hockey player Roman Josi.
At the time, Josi was already an important player for the Nashville Predators, although Ottaway was not deeply familiar with professional hockey.
In a 2020 interview published by the Predators, she recalled being surprised by how modestly Josi described his abilities.
She later learned from a hockey-following relative how highly regarded he was within the sport.
Reflecting on his personality, she said:
“He’s annoyingly humble, but I also love that about him.”
The account provides a rare direct perspective on their early relationship, rather than relying on the retrospective romantic narratives often found in celebrity profiles.
Their Engagement and July 2019 Wedding
By early 2019, the couple had announced their engagement.
The Grosse Pointe News published a formal announcement in February 2019, identifying both families and confirming that a July wedding was planned.
The couple’s wedding website lists July 20, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Their marriage was subsequently confirmed in Nashville Predators coverage, which described a celebration attended by friends and relatives from different parts of the world.
The marriage connected Ottaway’s established life in Nashville with Josi’s Swiss background and international professional career.
Motherhood and Family Life in Nashville
Ellie and Roman Josi have two children, a son named Luca James and a daughter named Ivy.
Luca was born in February 2021. Their daughter arrived in July 2022, with the NHL publicly reporting the birth that month.
Some online sources provide differing exact dates for Luca’s arrival. The month and year are more consistently established than the precise day.
The family has remained closely associated with Nashville, where Roman has spent his NHL career.
During a 2023 interview with the Predators, Roman spoke about traveling with the children and spending time with them during the summer.
These public comments present a family whose daily life includes ordinary parental responsibilities alongside the unusual travel schedule and professional demands of elite sports.
Although Ottaway occasionally shares family experiences publicly, those posts do not establish that every aspect of her children’s upbringing or private household is open to public scrutiny.
A responsible account distinguishes between voluntarily shared family milestones and personal details that have not been disclosed.
Social Media, Lifestyle Content, and Photography
Ottaway’s public-facing work has expanded from conventional modeling into digital content.
Her Instagram account, @eottaway, includes fashion, beauty, travel, family life, and motherhood-related material.
Creator-industry listings describe her as a Nashville-based lifestyle and family content creator, extending the visual and commercial skills she developed during her modeling career.
For a model with experience in advertising and e-commerce, social platforms offer a different relationship with audiences.
Traditional campaigns are generally directed by a retailer or publication. Personal digital platforms let creators build a more recognizable public identity across multiple subjects.
Ottaway’s content brings together two overlapping audiences: followers interested in fashion and lifestyle imagery, and hockey fans familiar with the Josi family.
Photography and Creative Work
Photography also appears in accounts of Ottaway’s creative interests.
The Nashville Predators credited photographs to Ellie Josi in a 2020 profile of her husband, providing a documented example of her work behind the camera.
However, publicly accessible evidence does not clearly establish the scale or current commercial status of a separate professional photography business.
It is therefore more accurate to describe photography as part of her creative work than to claim an extensive independent photography enterprise without supporting records.
Her continued presence in professional modeling portfolios provides firmer evidence of her established occupation.
Community Involvement and Charitable Activities
Ottaway’s public associations extend into community activity in Nashville.
Her professional profile records volunteer involvement with organizations and events connected to Hands On Nashville and the St. Jude Country Music Nashville Marathon.
A more recent documented example of the family’s charitable activity occurred in September 2025.
During the Nashville Predators Foundation’s Weekend of Giving, Roman Josi presented a $10,000 donation to the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s on behalf of the Roman and Ellie Josi Family Fund.
The Nashville Predators reported the donation directly.
It demonstrates a publicly documented charitable initiative bearing both spouses’ names, although the announcement does not separately specify Ottaway’s role in administering the fund or selecting the contribution.
That distinction matters: recognition of a shared philanthropic initiative should not become an invented account of an individual’s responsibilities.
Ellie Ottaway’s Public Life in 2026
In January 2026, Roman Josi reached his 1,000th NHL game, a significant milestone in his career with the Predators.
Ottaway and their children attended the January 24 ceremony at Bridgestone Arena, alongside other members of Josi’s family.
Their children also participated in celebrations surrounding the milestone, including a team-lineup presentation.
The event illustrated the family’s continuing public connection with Nashville hockey.
It also underscored how Ottaway’s identity has developed over time. She entered professional modeling years before the marriage, subsequently became a mother, and now appears in several areas of public life connected to fashion, digital media, family, and community activity.
Her professional agency listings remain publicly accessible as of 2026. However, those listings alone do not establish how frequently she currently accepts modeling bookings.
Personal Privacy and Unverified Financial Claims
Despite her visibility, significant aspects of Ottaway’s life remain private.
Her precise personal earnings, modeling contracts, investments, and independent net worth have not been established through reliable public financial disclosures.
Published estimates circulating on celebrity-profile websites should therefore not be treated as verified facts.
Similarly, the absence of detailed public interviews about her private experiences is not evidence of personal conflict, professional difficulties, or other undisclosed events.
The supported record describes a professional model with documented commercial credits, a publicly acknowledged family, and continuing ties to Nashville.
There is no need to manufacture a more dramatic story around those facts.
Ellie Ottaway Quick Bio: Fast Facts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ellie Ottaway |
| Also Known As | Ellie Ottaway Josi |
| Nationality | American |
| Reported Date of Birth | March 15, 1993 |
| Reported Age (2026) | 33 years |
| Upbringing | Grosse Pointe area, Michigan |
| Birthplace | Conflicting public reports |
| Education | Belmont University |
| Field of Study | Music Business, minor in Music |
| University Years | 2011–2014 |
| Profession | Fashion Model, Lifestyle Content Creator |
| Modeling Agencies | The Block Agency, METRO Models; previously Wilhelmina Models Miami |
| Selected Brands | ASOS, Forever 21, Peixoto Swimwear |
| Editorial Recognition | Fit For Fun Sweden cover |
| Husband | Roman Josi |
| Marriage Date | July 20, 2019 |
| Children | Luca James and Ivy |
| Public Home Base | Nashville, Tennessee |
| @eottaway | |
| Net Worth | Not independently verified |
Key Takeaways: Understanding Ellie Ottaway’s Career and Public Identity
Ellie Ottaway’s biography is best understood through the relationship between her independent professional history and her later visibility as a hockey player’s spouse.
Her music business education preceded an established modeling career that included retail campaigns, magazine photography, and appearances in country music videos. Her marriage to Roman Josi in 2019 increased public interest in her personal life but did not create the professional credentials already visible in her agency records.
Motherhood and lifestyle content subsequently became more prominent aspects of her public image, while the family’s charitable work added another documented dimension.
The key distinction is that Ellie Ottaway worked as a model before becoming widely recognized as Roman Josi’s wife. Her biography reflects an evolving career across commercial fashion, digital content, and public family life, without requiring speculation about her private circumstances.
Conclusion
Ellie Ottaway has developed a professional and public identity that connects fashion, entertainment, photography, and family life. Beginning with her education at Belmont University and her early modeling assignments in Nashville, she established experience in commercial and editorial work before becoming publicly associated with one of the NHL’s leading defensemen.
Her marriage to Roman Josi brought additional attention, while motherhood and digital content creation expanded the subjects through which audiences encounter her. The available evidence also documents involvement in charitable activities connected to the Nashville community.
Her story is not simply about celebrity association. It is about a creative professional whose career began independently and whose public identity has continued to evolve alongside marriage, motherhood, and new opportunities.
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(FAQs)
1. Who is Ellie Ottaway?
Ellie Ottaway is an American fashion model and lifestyle content creator known for commercial modeling campaigns and her marriage to NHL captain Roman Josi.
2. How old is Ellie Ottaway in 2026?
She is 33 years old as of November 2026, based on her widely reported birth date of March 15, 1993. The date has not been independently confirmed through a primary birth record.
3. When did Ellie Ottaway marry Roman Josi?
Ellie Ottaway married Roman Josi in July 2019. Their wedding website identifies July 20, 2019, as the wedding date.
4. How many children does Ellie Ottaway have?
Ellie and Roman Josi have two children, Luca, born in February 2021, and Ivy, born in July 2022.
5. What is Ellie Ottaway’s net worth?
Her independent net worth is not publicly verified. Do not consider online estimates reliable without supporting financial documentation.
