Rita Ora, born Rita Sahatçiu Ora on November 26, 1990, in Pristina (now Kosovo), grew up in London’s Notting Hill after her family emigrated when she was a baby. Encouraged by her psychiatrist mother and pub-owner father, Rita’s love for music flourished from a young age. She attended Sylvia Young Theatre School, honing her performance skills early on.
Her breakthrough came in 2012 with her feature on DJ Fresh’s track “Hot Right Now,” which hit number one in the UK. Her debut album Ora followed, spawning hits like “R.I.P.” and “How We Do (Party),” earning her multiple UK number-one singles.
Her second album, Phoenix (2018), yielded major hits including “Your Song,” “Anywhere,” and “Let You Love Me,” the latter setting a record for a British female solo artist with thirteen top-10 UK singles. She also released an EP titled Bang (2021), and in 2023, followed with her third studio album You & I, claiming ownership of her masters in the process.
Beyond music, Rita has appeared in the Fifty Shades film series and hosted The Voice UK and X Factor UK. Her fashion collaborations span brands like Adidas Originals, Tezenis, Escada, Primark, and Pepe Jeans.
Since 2021, she’s been in a relationship with filmmaker Taika Waititi, marrying him in a private ceremony in 2022. Taika has directed music videos for her latest album, reflecting their creative synergy.
Rita is also well-known for her humanitarian efforts, notably with UNICEF, and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion. She attributes her relentless work ethic to her upbringing, citing the values instilled by her parents as core to her success.
