She came to fame as the winner of the second season of the television show Deutschland sucht den Superstar, the German Idol series adaptation.

After her high school graduation at Anton-Bruckner-Gymnasium Straubing, Elli decided to become a student teacher and began studying Music and Sports at Regensburg University.

[2] In 2003, Erl participated in second season of the television show Deutschland sucht den Superstar, the German Idol series adaptation.

Due to her massive stage experience, raspy voice and unconventional looks she was seen as an early favourite by the judges and also by the audience, who enabled her to sing against comrade-in-arms Denise Tillmanns during the final show in March 2004.

Erl's coronation song and debut single "This Is My Life, written and produced by DSDS judge Dieter Bohlen, was released in March 2004 on Hansa Records and BMG.