Rita Ora discusses future family plans with her new husband, Taika Waititi

 

Rita Ora is making waves in multiple arenas. After ten years of delivering chart-topping hits and flaunting iconic fashion statements, she’s set to elevate her acting career, especially following her marriage to Taika Waititi, an Academy Award-winning film director.

Known for her vivacious and larger-than-life persona, Rita usually keeps her private life, especially her relationship with 48-year-old Taika, under wraps. However, she’s broken her silence in a rare, revealing interview. The 33-year-old Masked Singer judge has opened up about her life beyond the public eye, divulging details about her ultra-secret wedding in August 2022 and her aspirations for settling down and starting a family.

Speaking candidly, Rita shared, “I wanted to keep [the wedding] to myself for as long as I could. I’ve been in the public eye for a while now and I’ve always given everything I’m part of to the public. It felt nice to have something that was a secret for a bit.”

The couple, who initially crossed paths at a barbecue in 2018 but only formally became a couple in 2021, confirmed their marriage just a few months before celebrating their first wedding anniversary.

Describing the experience, she mentioned, “A lot of my friends were like, ‘Oh my God, we’ve missed it.’ I just told them that we will figure something out. It felt chill – because my life is not chill.”

During their summer trip to Palm Springs in 2022, Rita took the initiative and proposed to her partner. Waste no time, they swiftly tied the knot a few weeks later in Los Angeles. Their wedding was an intimate affair with only eight guests, while their parents participated virtually via Zoom.

Clad in an intricate lace Tom Ford wedding gown and adorned with Lorraine Schwartz jewellery, Rita looked stunning on her special day, portions of which were included in her 2023 single “You & I.”

Despite her previous reputation as a party enthusiast, Rita seems inclined towards settling down. The couple currently resides in a Grade II-listed residence in London’s Primrose Hill. Additionally, they expanded their property holdings last year with the purchase of a £5 million mansion in New Zealand.

Rita shares that her life hasn’t undergone significant changes, except for feeling a newfound sense of companionship. Regarding her marriage to the director of Thor, she notes that it hasn’t drastically altered their relationship dynamics. However, she highlights the importance of creating a home, particularly due to her husband’s New Zealand roots, for the benefit of their children.

The children in question are her husband’s two daughters from his previous marriage to Chelsea Winstanley.

Despite not having a set timeline, Rita expresses openness to the idea of having a child of her own. She adopts a philosophical stance, stating that it’ll happen when the time is right, putting her trust in the universe.

Her current stay Down Under serves as a welcome respite from Rita’s busy life in London. She describes the experience as refreshing, akin to being on another planet. The landscape and the atmosphere in New Zealand captivate her, allowing her a bit more solitude. Rita appreciates the relaxed nature of the people there, attributing it possibly to the smaller population.

Rita intends to dedicate a significant amount of time there this year, sharing, “Taika enjoys filming there frequently. We have plans to shoot something next year.”

Regarding her work, she hinted at a potential collaboration with her partner but remained cryptic, stating, “I’ll keep that aspect private. Acting holds great importance for me in the upcoming year. I’ll be actively pursuing more roles.”

This year won’t mark Rita’s first venture into films. Her credits include portraying Mia Grey in the Fifty Shades Of Grey series and Dodger in Sky’s Twist. She also worked alongside the late Star Wars legend Carrie Fisher in Wonderwell last year.

Her upcoming role as the Queen of Hearts in the Disney+ film Descendants: The Rise Of Red is highly anticipated. Rita expresses her excitement, mentioning, “It’s releasing next year, which is incredibly thrilling.”

Last year commemorated a decade since Rita gained prominence as the vocalist on DJ Fresh’s hit, Hot Right Now. Since then, she’s achieved four UK number ones. Notably, she served as a coach on The Voice Australia and participated as a panellist on ITV’s The Masked Singer.

Rita acknowledges that her ongoing success is attributed to her strong work ethic, inherited from her hardworking parents. She takes pride in being a ‘grafter’ and credits her mother’s relentless work ethic as her inspiration to continually push herself.

In maintaining her mental well-being, Rita reveals her reliance on regular therapy sessions to manage the fast-paced nature of her life. Commencing therapy at 25, she emphasizes the importance of consistent sessions, often attending at least once or twice a week due to the fluctuations in her mental state.

Despite her glamorous lifestyle, Rita emphasizes her roots as a regular girl from west London, shaped by the struggles faced, especially in school, to be seen and respected without prejudice. Her parents’ emigration from Kosovo in 1991, escaping persecution, remains a pivotal part of her narrative, fueling her advocacy for equal opportunities for everyone.

Expressing gratitude for the education and opportunities afforded by moving to London, Rita is vocal about the significance of providing chances to all individuals. She’s adamant that her present career, a dream realized, stands as a testament to the advantages of such opportunities, and she’s fiercely proud of her accomplishments, not dwelling on what might have been.

Despite her accomplishments and the life she’s diligently crafted, she remains firmly connected to her humble origins. This sentiment was vividly evident when she chose to forgo high-end designer labels at the previous year’s British Fashion Awards, instead opting for a beloved high-street brand.

While Gwyneth Paltrow showcased Valentino and Amal Clooney chose Versace, Rita captured attention in a dress from… Primark.

This decision came after her collaboration with the fast fashion giant in September, which garnered mixed reviews owing to concerns about the company’s stance on sustainability and workers’ rights.

However, Rita staunchly supports the collection, believing it caters to diverse preferences. “Primark was my mainstay while growing up in west London with limited means,” she remarks. “I see it as an integral part of the UK’s identity. Despite differing opinions, it has always provided for those who lack opportunities to acquire certain things.”

Rita is deeply involved in charitable efforts, most recently lending her support to Buttle UK’s Chances for Children initiative through the Evening Standard’s Winter Survival Appeal. This charity holds significant personal importance for her, given its focus on providing grants to children and young individuals who have undergone trauma and crises.

As Rita’s fame has grown, she has encountered the unfortunate reality of online trolling that often accompanies a high-profile public life. Her strategy to handle this has been straightforward: she has made a conscious decision not to engage with any of the negativity.

“I’ve been in this industry for quite some time now, and I deliberately try not to dwell on it,” she explains. “There was a time when I did, and it had a detrimental effect on me. It hindered my creativity and made me feel insecure and uneasy in the studio. So, I’ve changed that approach, and it’s been beneficial. I go to bed content with where I am.”

Despite the challenges, she remains undeterred in expressing her distinctive fashion style, which we admire.

“I believe in embracing it while I can,” she expresses. “One day, I’ll be older, and I want to cherish these moments.”

This insight was gleaned from an interview featured in ES by Joe Bromley and Eve Macdonald.