WATCH: Rita Ora's Eurovision audition before she was famous
Her audition was great!
Last updated 11th May 2018
The Eurovision Song Contest is almost upon us and whilst this year we are 100% behind the UK's entry SuRie, did you know that songstress Rita Ora auditioned for the Eurovision Song Contest before she was famous? Back in 2009 the 'For You' singer belted out a cover of Oleta Adam's 'Get Here' and we can't stop watching it!
Then, aged 18-years-old, Rita did an impressive performance and wowed the panel who eventually offered her the chance to represent the country, but she later decided not to. Take a look at Rita's performance below.
Jade Ewen was later chosen to represent the UK in 2009, when she performed Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'It's My Time' ending in fifth place, becoming the UK's highest placing since 2002. After representing the UK Jade joined the Sugababes replacing Keisha Buchanan.
Now take a look at what the former UK entrants of Eurovision are up to now.
2003: Jemini - 'Cry Baby'
Liverpudlian duo Gemma Abbey and Chris Comby, aka Jemini, received NUL POINTS in Latvia back in 2003. Now, Chris is Head of Retail Operations at Ted Baker, and Gemma is an owner of her own makeup business according to their LinkedIn profiles.
2004: James Fox - 'Hold On to Our Love'
Fame Academy alumni James Fox came 16th in 2004 and went on to release the official FA Cup single for Cardiff FC, before playing Paul McCartney in The Beatles' West End musical Let It Be.
2005: Javine - 'Touch My Fire'
Javine Hylton just missed out on a place in Girls Aloud in 2002, but represented the UK in Eurovision two years later with 'Touch My Fire'. She came 22nd, but redeemed herself as runner-up on Celebrity Come Dine with Me in 2010.
In 2012, Javine appeared on Celebrity Masterchef, but was eliminated along with Cheryl Baker.
2006: Daz Sampson - 'Teenage Life'
Remember Daz? He scored 25 points but still managed to chart at Number 8 in the UK with 'Teenage Life. Since competing in 2006 he's become a football manager.
2007: Scooch - 'Flying the Flag (For You)'
Scooch's innuendo-laced track was branded 'rubbish' by the public receiving just 19 points at Eurovision in 2007, however, the song did Number 5 in the UK.
The band continue to play Pride festivals and members Caroline and Russ were together as of 2021. David Ducasse now works for a vets in South Shields while Natalie Powers is the founder of Allstars Academy.
2008: Andy Abraham - 'Even If'
You'll probably recognise Andy from The X Factor in 2005. He came joint last in Belgrade in 2008, but didn't let that deter him and still performs to this day.
At Christmas in 2019 he took part in the Sleeping Beauty pantomime at Rotherham Civic Theatre.
2009: Jade Ewen - 'It's My Time'
Jade Ewen actually did alright with 'It's My Time', which came fifth in 2009. She then joined Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah in Sugababes and played Princess Jasmine in the West End production of Aladdin.
2010: Josh Dubovie - 'That Sounds Good to Me'
After 'That Sounds Good to Me' finished last with just 10 points in 2010, Josh decided to leave showbiz behind and became a care co-ordinator at a retirement home in Canada. He is now happily married and became a father in 2019.
2011: Blue - 'I Can'
We had such high hopes for Blue as they hit Düsseldorf in 2011, but the boys blamed political voting for their disappointing 10th place position. Duncan, Simon, Anthony and Lee made a comeback in 2022 and released their album 'Heart & Soul'.
2012: Engelbert Humperdinck - 'Love Will Set You Free'
Actual, real life Engelbert Humperdinck came second to last for the UK in 2012. Despite this disappointing result he is still recording music into his 80s. His songs are being used in film soundtracks to this day!
2013: Bonnie Tyler - 'Believe in Me'
Bonnie was placed 19th with 'Believe in Me' back in 2013. The 'Total Eclipse of The Heart' singer is still releasing music to this day with 'Into the Sunset' with Mike Batt being released in 2022.
2014: Molly Smitten-Downes - 'Children of the Universe'
Molly was one of the favourites to win with a song intended to 'break down political boundaries' in 2014; but unfortunately she only managed a measly 40 points.
After Eurovision, Molly performed at Glastonbury and later worked with German DJ and producer Zwette to make a song called 'Rush'.
2015: Electro Velvet - 'Still in Love with You'
Electro Velvet came 24th in Vienna in 2015 before releasing a cover of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' in 2016.
After that they released another song in 2018 called 'Take Me Home'.
2016: Joe and Jake - 'You're Not Alone'
Joe and Jake competed in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest with 'You're Not Alone', but ended in 24th place with just 62 points.
Sadly Joe and Jack's follow-up track, released in 2017, 'Tongue Tied', failed to chart.
2017: Lucie Jones - 'Never Give Up on You'
The X Factor's Lucie Jones finished 15th with 'Never Give Up On You' in 2017, and returned to the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical.
She continues to perform in the West End and is now performing as Fantine in Les Miserables.
2018: SuRie - 'Storm'
SuRie performed 'Storm' for the UK, and ended in 24th place. After taking part in Eurovision she release some more music and is due to release a new album in May 2023.
2019: Michael Rice - 'Bigger Than Us'
Michael Rice represented the UK in 2019 with 'Bigger than Us', but unfortunately he ended up in last place.
Since taking part in the competition, Michael has continued to release music, but sadly they've failed to chart.
2021: James Newman - 'Embers'
James Newman was originally set to represent the UK in 2020, but when the Coronavirus Pandemic caused the show to be cancelled, he returned in 2021 with a new song, 'Embers'. The song sadly ended in last place.
James, who is the brother of John Newman, is still a songwriter and regularly posts his new music on Instagram.
2022: Sam Ryder - 'Space Man'
Sam Ryder put on an unforgettable performance at the 2022 event with his smash hit song 'Space Man' which earned him second place!
He hasn't slowed down since, with a performance at Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee concert, as well as an album, and a massive tour set for 2023.
Meanwhile, after deciding not to represent the UK, Rita went on to become a successful pop star around the world, just a few years later. Her debut hit 'How We Do (Party)' in 2012 went to number 1 in the UK and she followed it with hits such as 'I Will Never Let You Down', 'Anywhere', 'Your Song' and most recently 'Girls' which dropped today (11th May).
'Girls' is a fantastic new collaboration with Cardi B, Bebe Rexha & Charli XCX, written by Rita along with a team of songwriters, it has been described as an "empowering anthem". As well as dropping the single, Rita released the lyric video on YouTube.
WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE TOWARDS THE END
Recently Rita has been releasing a number of collaborations. Earlier this year she dropped 'For You' with Liam Payne which was featured on the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack. She also joined forces with the late DJ Avicii last year for 'Lonely Together'. Rita recently performed 'Lonely Together' for the first time after Avicii's death and asked the 40,000 strong crowd to join her in a minute's silence before she sang their song.
Watch the moving moment below.
You can hear more songs from Rita Ora on Northsound 1.