Rita Ora reveals how her wedding influenced a song on her new album 'You & I'
She told us all about it
Rita Ora is back with her third album 'You & I' and to celebrate the release of it she joined Hits Radio's Fleur East, James Barr and Producer Matt on Saturday 14th July.
Speaking to the team, Rita told us how her new album had a journey behind it. "I feel like what I didn't tell people is the journeys of the songs," she said of her album. "So, I wrote one the day after I got married, like really hungover and it was like nothing was going to come out of my mouth, I felt like it was like... You know when you're hungover and you feel like you're going to die, it was like that!
"And I basically came out with this ideal wedding song, which I felt was really funny, and then it actually turned out really good and I was really proud of myself that I was productive on that day of hell."
The singer went on to reveal that her album was "kind of inspired" by her husband Taika Waititi, but also her "life change", going on to say: "It's like all the different faces of love".
Taika is a film director who has worked on blockbusters such as Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, and has also been directing some of Rita's music videos. She told Fleur and the team what it was like working with her other half.
"I feel like I've always been the funny one, but because I'm a pop star and stuff, people just assume you have to be like this pritzy pop person," she explained.
Continuing: "I'm actually really, sort of like (a) down to earth, random, nerdy person, but yeah, I do think he (Taika) has definitely helped me... made me more confident to embrace that side of me, which has been really fun."
Rita also spoke about her love for doing TV and film, saying: "That's something always on the cards, I love doing TV, I do The Masked Singer here and The Voice in Australia, and it's like such a fun side project for me. Obviously music is my life and joy, but I think, if the timing is right and everything sort of makes sense..."
Following the success of Kylie Minogue's 'Padam Padam', which is now Number 1 on The Hits UK Chart, we wanted to know if Rita would be up for a collab. They're signed to the same label after all... 👀
"You know, I love her (Kylie)," Rita said. "And I think I was actually talking about her the other day..."
She continued: "I think what's really incredible is that she's just got so many lives you know? And I feel like that is such an inspiring thing to look up to, and like her work ethic and just kind of keep delivering.
"It just shows that you know, with time and with patience and if you are true to who you are, you know you're just going to have a really long career and that just how you become an icon, and so I think she's just really inspired me."
You can hear songs by Rita Ora on Hits Radio.
Take a look at albums due out in 2023:
RAYE - 'My 21st Century Blues'
Release date: Out now
RAYE released her BRIT Award-winning debut album 'My 21st Century Blues' in February 2023. The singer's album includes her massive hit 'Escapism'.
P!nk - 'Trustfall'
Release date: Out now
P!nk's ninth studio album 'Trustfall' features her hits 'Never Gonna Not Dance Again' and 'Trustfall'.
Mimi Webb
Release date: Out now
BRIT Award nominee Mimi Webb released her debut album 'Amelia' in March 2023. When she announced her album in 2022 she said: 'This album is the best version of me & I want you all to accept vulnerability without judgement while you listen to this record. This is an album about Mimi Webb but also about Amelia and I can't wait for you to meet her 🥹 Amelia is out March 3 ✨ Pre-save/order at the link in my bio 💋'. (sic)
Miley Cyrus - 'Endless Summer Vacation'
Release date: Out now
Miley Cyrus returned to music in 2023 with her song 'Flowers' which is thought to be written in response to a classic Bruno Mars song. 'Flowers' is featured on her eighth album 'Endless Summer Vacation'.
Jonas Brothers - 'The Album'
Release date: Out now
Jonas Brothers released their album 'The Album' on 14th May 2023 and it features their hit 'Waffle House'.
Ellie Goulding - 'Higher Than Heaven'
Release date: Out now
Ellie Goulding's fifth album 'Higher Than Heaven' was pushed back nearly two weeks after she revealed she had some 'exciting opportunities'. The album, which includes 12 songs has now been released.
Freya Ridings - 'Blood Orange'
Release date: Out now
Freya is known for her hits 'Castles' and 'Lost Without You', in 2023 she released her second album 'Blood Orange', which includes her single 'Weekends'.
Ed Sheeran
Release date: Out now
Ed Sheeran's sixth album is now out. In February 2023, fans of the singer started to receive yellow notebooks with the subtract symbol, Ed then shared a social media post about it, appearing to confirm the album's name.
Lewis Capaldi - 'Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent'
Release date: Out now
Lewis Capaldi has released his second album 'Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent'. The album includes his huge comeback single 'Forget Me' and his follow-up 'Pointless'.
Niall Horan
Release date: Out now
Niall Horan released his third solo album 'The Show' in June 2023.
Kim Petras - 'Feed The Beast'
Release date: Out now
Kim Petras announced the name and release date of her eagerly anticipated debut album. Titled 'Feed The Beast', the album was released on 23rd June 2023.
Post Malone - 'Austin'
Release date: Out now
Post Malone released his fifth album in July. The self-titled album is called 'Austin' and dropped on 28th July 2023.
Olivia Rodrigo
Release date: Out now
Olivia Rodrigo's second album 'Guts' was released in September. The singer opened up in an interview with us explaining how she wrote the hit song 'Vampire' which is featured on the album.
Kylie Minogue
Release date: Out now
Kylie Minogue's 16th studio album 'Tension' was released on 22nd September 2023. The follow-up to 'Disco' features 11 songs.
Ed Sheeran
Release date: Out now
Ed announced his seventh album, the first not to be named after a mathematical symbol. It is called 'Autumn Variations'. He has also announced he will be releasing a live version of this album, recorded in fans' homes, it was released in 2023.
Joel Corry - 'Another Friday Night
Release date: Out Now
Joel Corry announced he will be releasing his debut album called 'Another Friday Night' on 6th October 2023. The album features his bangers from the last few years as well as new material.
Lost Frequencies
Release date: Out Now
Lost Frequencies released his album 'All Stand Together' on 10th November 2023 and it's been a hit with fans.
Tate McRae - 'Think Later'
Release date: 8th December
Tate McRae's second album 'Think Later' will be released in December 2023, featuring her hit 'Greedy'. It will be supported by a tour in 2024.
When can you hear Fleur East, James Barr and Producer Matt on Hits Radio?
Catch Fleur East every weekday morning on Hits Radio from 6am. Wake The Fun up with Fleur joined by the biggest names in music, movies and entertainment.
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