In what seems like the blink of an eye, Kosovo-born, London-raised Rita Ora has become one of the most globally recognized and successful women in entertainment.
In what seems like the blink of an eye, Kosovo-born, London-raised Rita Ora has become one of the most globally recognized and successful women in entertainment. Signed to Jay Z’s entertainment company Roc Nation in her teens, she has released her debut #1 record Ora (2012) at 18; scored four consecutive #1 singles, including the Drake-penned “R.I.P”; joined forces with Charli XCX on “Doing It” and Iggy Azalea on “Black Widow”; become the Global Ambassador to Rimmel London; designed 15 Adidas collections that have been among the brand’s best sellers; collaborated on a line with Tezenis, and scored roles in the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, Fast and Furious 6, and Antoine Fuqua’s Southpaw. “I wanted to be in control of my own destiny, creating my own empire, so I ventured into things I know I’m good at. It’s all in how you act, how you speak, it’s a psychology—you have to bring the goods,” Ora says. Now, following her celebrated presence on UK television as both a coach on BBC’s The Voice and a judge on The X Factor UK, Rita is making her mark on US Television. As the new host of VH1’s re-envisioned “America’s Next Top Model,” Rita embodies the show’s effort to discover not just a model, but a brand, ambassador and social media presence.
Despite her massive success as an actress and entrepreneur, it is her music that occupies center stage for the immediate future. After rising to prominence in 2012 with debut single “Hot Right Now,” Rita went on to tour extensively in Europe, the US and Asia, performing on some of the most prestigious stages around the world from The Vatican to Glastonbury to the White House. In February 2015 Rita delivered a stirring performance of her Diane Warren penned song “Grateful” on the 87th annual Academy Awards, which was seen by millions of people all over the world. She then went on to perform her single “Body on Me” (featuring Chris Brown) on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Good Morning America and The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the fall of 2015.
Rita recently signed a new deal with Atlantic Records, on which she will be releasing her highly anticipated US debut album. “With this album, I want to be the rock star that I always was. I have to fight every day. I still have to grind. I’m working on a scaffolding right now to make a really big building. That’s how I’m approaching it.”
