18 things you probably didn't know about singer Rita Ora 🎶
Rita Ora isn't her real name!
Rita Ora is one of the biggest pop stars in the world. She's had huge hits like 'For You', and 'Anywhere' along with the massive collaborations 'Girls' with Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX, 'Praising You' with Fatboy Slim, featuring his 90s classic 'Praise You' and 'Drinkin'' with Joel Corry and MK.
Rita released her hugely-anticipated third album, 'You & I' on 14th July 2023. Meanwhile, in 2024, Rita has got fans excited by teasing new music, later releasing 'Ask & You Shall Receive', then in September she was announced for Hits Radio Live Manchester.
Not only are her songs incredibly popular and her talent as a musician obvious, but she's also an accomplished actress and fashionista, having worked with some pretty famous clothing labels to produce her own lines.
1. Where was Rita Ora born?
Rita was born in the Southeastern Europe state Kosovo, but she moved to London with her family when she was just one-year-old.
2. Is her real name Rita Ora?
Despite being known globally as Rita Ora, the singer’s real name is actually Rita Sahatciu. Rita’s dad revealed he added the name ‘Ora’ due to Sahatciu being difficult to pronounce.
3. Is Rita Ora married?
She certainly is! Rita Ora confirmed in September 2022 that she had married filmmaker, actor and comedian Taika Waititi. Confirming the news on Jaime Winstone's Greatest Night Ever podcast, she gushed: "I'm in love. I'm very much in love. I'm in love, I'm in love, amen!"
The pair married in an intimate ceremony in Los Angeles in August 2022, with Rita saying: "I love love as well. I've always been such a believer in it and I've always felt like I always wanted the fairytale and that's what I grew up loving."
Rita later shared more details about her low-key wedding, which was arranged in just two weeks, after she popped the question!
4. What is Rita Ora's star sign?
Rita Ora was born on 26th November 1990, making her a Sagittarius.
5. Rita Ora first started singing in a pub!
She might perform at some massive gigs now, but back in the day Rita started her singing career in her dad’s pub. She performed covers at the pub and then went on to perform at a number of open mic nights.
In March 2022, Rita posted some throwback photos to celebrate her dad's birthday saying: 'Dear dad, thank you for always guiding me in the right path. I’m so lucky to have you I count my lucky stars every day. Happy birthday. @oranick'.
6. Rita Ora once auditioned to represent the UK at Eurovision
Rita actually auditioned to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009. Despite only being 19 at the time, Rita performed a rendition of Oleta Adam's 'Get Here’ and wowed the panel. However, she later decided not to take part in the contest.
7. Rita Ora's first big single was with producer DJ Fresh
Rita first started to make waves in the music industry back in 2012 when she featured on DJ Fresh’s hit track ‘Hot Right Now’. The summer feeling single was a massive hit in the UK, reaching Number 1 in the charts.
8. Rita Ora has her own fashion line with Adidas
Rita teamed up with sportswear brand Adidas in 2014, making some very wacky clothing and trainer designs. The singer often wears some of her own designs during her performances on stage.
9. Rita Ora was a judge on The X Factor
After leaving The Voice UK, Rita became a judge on popular talent show The X Factor. She sat on the panel alongside Cheryl Tweedy, Nick Grimshaw and Simon Cowell and performed with winner Louisa Johnson in the final.
10. Rita Ora has also hosted or appeared as a judge on many other shows...
As well as The Voice and The X Factor, Rita Ora has appeared as a host on America's Next Top Model, Boy Band, and at the MTV Europe Music Awards. As well as being a judge on The Masked Singer, and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. In 2023 she appeared on The Voice Australia.
After appearing on five series of The Masked Singer, it was announced in September 2024 that she will be replaced by Maya Jama for the sixth series in 2025.
11. Which films has Rita Ora starred in?
As well as being an amazing singer, Rita has starred in a number of movies, including the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. Rita played the role of Christian Grey’s younger sister Mia. Despite only having a small part in the first two movies, Rita was given a lot more screen time in the 2018 film Fifty Shades Freed.
Rita Ora played Dodge in the modern adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, Oliver Twist, released in January 2021. She starred alongside a cast including Raff Law, Michael Caine, Lena Heady and David Walliams.
In February 2022, Rita was announced to be starring in a new Disney+ prequel series for Beauty and The Beast, but sadly it was cancelled. However, later in the year, Rita was then announced to be appearing as the Queen of Hearts in The Pocketwatch (working title), a new film starring Brandy in the Descendants franchise.
12. One of Rita Ora's good friends is a TOWIE star
One of Rita’s best friends is The Only Way Is Essex star Vaz J Morgan. The pair are often spotted at glitzy events together or enjoying themselves on a night out. Maybe Rita will appear on the popular reality show one day?
WATCH: Rita Ora Gushes About Her 'Great' Friendship With Liam Payne
13. How much is Rita Ora's net worth?
Due to her amazing hit singles, promotional deals and movie appearances, Rita has racked up an impressive amount of money at such a young age. In 2023, Rita's net worth is reported to be $30 million.
14. Rita Ora has collaborated with many very famous artists
Throughout her years in the music industry, Rita Ora has collabed with a whole host of A-list artists including, Tinie Tempah, Chris Brown, Sigma, Liam Payne, Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX - on 'Girls', Kygo and Tiësto and Jonas Blue on 'Ritual'.
She's also featured on some very successful songs including, DJ Fresh's 'Hot Right Now' in 2012, and Avicii's 2017 hit 'Lonely Together'. In 2023, she teamed up with Fatboy Slim and Joel Corry.
15. Rita Ora has had four UK Number 1 singles
Including her breakthrough hit with DJ Fresh, 'Hot Right Now', Rita Ora has had four Number 1s in the UK. Her first first Number 1 was 'How We Do (Party)' in 2012, followed by 'R.I.P' with Tinie Tempah and 'I Will Never Let You Down' in 2014.
16. Rita Ora has appeared on Love Island
Although she wasn't an Islander, Rita appeared on the 2023 Summer series of Love Island, where she performed some of her biggest hits for the Islanders. Rita entered the villa on Tuesday 18th July 2023 to perform at the beach club party.
17. Rita has been inspired by Jennifer Lopez
In an interview with Tatler, Rita spoke about the longevity of her career and revealed that one of her biggest inspirations is Jennifer Lopez. She said: "A lot of people who started at the same time as me are not still doing it… I always try to find little corners and little cracks that work for me. And that comes from my inspiration, which growing up was Jennifer Lopez – women who were expected not to do as well as they have done. The underdogs."
18. Rita's collection with Primark
Rita has collaborated with Primark to launch her own collection, with her latest range set to drop in store on 10th September.
Speaking ahead of the launch of her first Primark collection in 2023, Rita said she drew inspiration from her childhood when creating the range, which was two years in the making.
She said: "Throughout my life, I have always wanted to look stylish, and when I was younger, I couldn’t have done that without Primark. I could always stretch my budget with so many great pieces from Primark.
“Honestly, that is really when I learned how to get creative and play with fashion. Creating this collection with Primark has been very nostalgic for me, and I can’t wait for the world to see it!”
You can shop Rita's latest Autumn collection in Primark stores now.
Now take a look through Rita Ora's career highlights:
2012: Rita Ora
Rita Ora's breakthrough song was 'Hot Right Now' with DJ Fresh. The song debuted at the top of the UK charts when it was released in February 2012.
2012: Rita Ora gets a Number 1 album with 'Ora'
Rita Ora gets a Number 1 album in the UK with her debut album 'Ora'. Rita released four Top 20 songs from her album including 'How We Do (Party)', 'R.I.P.', 'Shine Ya Light' and 'Radioactive'.
2013: Rita Ora at the BRITs
In 2013, Rita Ora was nominated for three BRIT Awards: British Breakthrough Act and British Single of the Year for both 'R.I.P' and 'Hot Right Now'.
2015: Rita Ora in Fifty Shades of Grey
In 2015, Rita appeared as Mia Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey. After her first appearance in 2015, she reprised her role in the sequels Fifty Shades Darker (2017), and Fifty Shades Freed (2018).
2017: Rita releases new music
In 2017, Rita released her first solo single in nearly two years, 'Your Song', which peaked at Number 7 in the UK, followed by 'Anywhere' a couple of months later which went to Number 2.
2018: Rita teams up with Liam Payne
Rita starred in Fifty Shades Freed following her role in the first film, and released a collab with Liam Payne called 'For You' which featured on the film's soundtrack and was a Top 10 hit in the UK.
2019: Rita Ora and Thomas Sabo
Rita wore a metallic dress for the launch of her collection with Thomas Sabo in July 2019. For two seasons, Rita was the official global ambassador for Thomas Sabo.
2020: Rita releases 'How To Be Lonely' penned by Lewis Capaldi
Rita released 'How To Be Lonely' written by Lewis Capaldi in March 2020. The singer tweeted at the time: 'To my friends. The past year has felt like the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new and exciting one! I'm so excited to release my new single 'How To Be Lonely', a song that I'm very proud of. I've loved working with Lewis on this track and it's been a lot of fun. He's a great talent and a man of the moment and I really connected with the lyrics when he originally sent it to me.' Of course, this turned out to be an ironic song name given that the world went into lockdown with COVID-19 a couple of weeks after the release of this song!
2020: The Masked Singer team
Rita Ora was a judge on The Masked Singer UK in 2020. She was joined by Ken Jeong, Davina McCall and Jonathan Ross. Rita went on to appear on five series of the bonkers show, with bosses confirming Maya Jama will replace her for the sixth series due to air in 2024.
2022: Beauty and the Beast prequel series!
In February 2022, Rita Ora announced that she would be joining the 'fairytale world' of Beauty and the Beast, revealing that she will be starring in the upcoming Disney+ prequel series. Sadly soon after her announcement, it was decided that the series would not be made.
2022: Rita Ora has been confirmed for a part in Tin Soldier
Rita Ora has joined the cast of Tin Soldier an action film starring Jamie Foxx and Robert De Niro. The news was announced in June 2022 when she posted some photos on Twitter with her alongside Jamie Foxx and the film's director Brad Furman.
2022: Rita Ora plays Wandering Blade in Kung Fu Panda (series)
Rita Ora played the role of Wandering Blade (right), an English knight in Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, the Netflix series, also starring Jack Black as Po (the panda). After a successful first series, Rita returned to reprise her role in the second series in 2023.
2022: Rita Ora announced for The Pocketwatch
Rita Ora was announced as the Queen of Hearts in the new Disney film The Pocketwatch (working title). The new film will also star Brandy. Filming started in February 2023.
2023: Rita Ora announces comeback song
In January 2023, Rita Ora announced a new song from her upcoming third album. The song is called 'You Only Love Me' and will be released in January.
2023: Rita appears on Love Island
Although Rita hasn't appeared as a contestant on ITV2 show Love Island, the singer did appear as a special guest, performing for the Islanders during the Summer series in 2023. Rita performed a number of her biggest hits at the beach club party, before singing her song 'Praising You'.
2023: Rita releases her third studio album
On 14th July 2023, Rita Ora released her hugely-antipcated third studio album called 'You & I'. The album is made up of 12 singles, including 'Praising You' featuring Fat Boy Slim.
2023: Rita launches a collection with Primark
Rita launched her first fashion collection with Primark. The singer said she drew inspiration from her childhood when creating the range, which had been two years in the making. The collection featured 169 pieces, including jewellery, tailored pieces and faux fur coats. Rita has since released two more collections with Primark; the latest arriving in stores on 10th September 2024.
2024: Rita teases new music with studio snaps
Taking to her socials in March 2024, Rita shared a series of studio snaps, teasing fans that new music was on the way with the caption: 'Pick your studio angle… 🎵 😎 I couldn't decide…🙄🤷🏼♀️'. In the series of photos shared by Rita, she can be seen standing in a studio surrounded by instruments, including several keyboards and guitars. The last two photos show her in the bathroom taking a mirror selfie, showing off her outfit.
You can hear hits by Rita Ora on Downtown Radio!
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