IN CONVERSATION WITH RITA ORA

interview by JANA LETONJA

Rita Ora turned up the temperature with the release of her hotly anticipated new single ‘Heat’, which came out on the same day as her performance at the World Pride Music Festival in Washington D.C. With over 10 billion global streams and 13 Top 10 UK singles, four of which have gone #1, Rita was among the first to receive a BRIT Billion award after surpassing the landmark of one billion career UK streams.

Besides music, Rita launched the performance-led haircare brand TYPEBEA alongside Anna Lahey in 2024. Her TV credits include being a panelist on ‘The Masked Singer’ in the US and UK, and a judge on ‘The Voice Australia’. Rita will also soon appear in the upcoming films ‘He Bled Neon’, ‘Voltron’, and the recently announced ‘Descendants: Wicked Wonderland’.

Your new single ‘Heat’ has just dropped and already feels like a summer anthem. What inspired the sound and vibe of the track?

Summer inspired the track and the vibe. My album isn't inspired by the summer, but I felt like ‘Heat’ was an inspiration and a great way into introducing my new world, which is all explained in the album title, that I haven't announced yet. The whole energy of this record is really just like balls to the wall, everything all at once. I felt like I needed to explode with happiness and fun and sexuality and womanhood and cheekiness, and deliberately be intentional and not be afraid and just try and be brave. I wanted to just draw outside of the lines, so ‘Heat’ was that incredible introduction to the world I'm creating.

You chose to release ‘Heat’ on the same day as your World Pride performance. What does “celebrating freedom and being unapologetically yourself” mean to you personally?

I think by me releasing ‘Heat’ on the day of my World Pride performance in Pride month is a really great example of what my album represents and what I feel like as an artist I've always represented, which is celebrating feeling freedom and being unapologetically yourself. That all, for me, stems from the LGBTQIA+ community. They are huge advocates on people that celebrate individuality and support that because it really takes guts and you have to be really brave to fight for everything that you know you want. And being an artist and having a vision and a point of view, a lot of that comes with having to fight for it. So, if anybody understands that, it’s the Queens and my gaze and the community because they really know what that means. 

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How has performing at events like World Pride shaped your connection with your LGBTQ+ fanbase?

Performing at any pride event, which I have throughout my career, has really kept my fan base and myself interact closely. The LQBTQIA+ community are a big portion of my fan base and I will do anything for them. My Prides are like having a party, it feels like it's a reunion, like we're all back together again. Everyone's dancing and having fun, and that's what it's all about, celebrating individuality.

With over 10 billion global streams and 13 UK Top 10 singles, how do you stay creatively fulfilled while maintaining commercial success?

I stay creative by being inspired, staying inspired, discovering new music, new books, going and discovering the cities that I'm in, meeting people, and just continuing to be hungry. I've never lost my sort of drive. I have a very hard work ethic and I'm really proud of it. And I think that shows with all the different things I do in film, TV, music, fashion and business, with my hair care line. And I just really love to work. I enjoy trying to break the mold and keep the world inspired. I love doing things like that. It fuels me.

You launched TYPEBEA, a performance-led haircare brand, in 2024. What drove you to step into the beauty industry?

What drove me to step into hair and beauty is my own experience. I really felt that I didn't have what I needed to protect my hair. My hair gets styled literally every day and I really wanted to support the growth. And so I did that by making my own brand, with Anna Lee who's fantastic. TYPEBEA is all about hair growth and making sure that all connects, but you can still style your hair and you don't have to sacrifice your routine. It's just more about skin health and skinification for your scalp.

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bracelet MONCOLIER
bangle ISABEL MARANT
necklace ALEXIS BITTAR
rings LE MANSO
shoes PARIS TEXAS

How do you balance your creative vision across so many different sectors — music, fashion, beauty, acting?

I think the balance to do many things is really about focusing, getting the right amount of sleep, prioritizing yourself, and unfortunately missing some personal events like birthdays or holidays. But it's about understanding this is all I've ever wanted growing up and I'm really grateful I get to still do this like over a decade later.

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As an actress, you have upcoming roles in ‘He Bled Neon’, ‘Voltron’, and ‘Descendants: Wicked Wonderland’. What excites you most about these projects?

It's only the beginning as an actor. What excites me most about doing roles, especially when they're different, is that I get to explore new characters and new versions of myself. ‘He Bled Neon’ is definitely a raunchy perspective and ‘Voltron’, I can't give too much away on that one, but it's definitely going to shock a lot of people. And playing an evil queen in ‘Descendants: Wicked Wonderland’ is so much fun. I am becoming a better actor with more experiences that I get, so the projects have to feel like they're challenging me and that I can really not see myself in it. And hopefully other people agree.

You’ve also judged and hosted talent shows around the world. How does it feel to be on the other side, shaping new talent?

Hosting talent shows and being on them and having judged them, it is so incredible to feel like I'm a part of someone's beginning. I've always wanted help, I still do. And when somebody reaches a handout to help you, it's something that you'll never forget. It's actually beautiful to witness something for the first time and make it grow, and the rest of the world falling in love with that.

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sunglasses CASABLANCA
bikini top RAT & BOA
earrings MAM
rings BLOBB RINGS, MAM
shoes MOROBE

As one of the first to receive a BRIT Billion Award, how do you reflect on your impact on UK and global pop music?

The UK is my home. It's everything to me. To be able to say I've got a BRIT Billion award is unbelievable. I think pop music in general is changing so much that to have a dedicated devoted fan base is all you can ask for. And I'm really lucky. I came out in a year and a time when it was still physical CDs, and I was able to really bond and connect with my fans, and I don't think that bond has ever left. We are now just kind of growing together and I'm really lucky I get to do that and expand into new fan bases. With Disney’s ‘Descendants’, it's a younger audience, and that's just really exciting to me. Pop music really changes so quick. One day, this is big, one day something else is big. So, I think it's all about being true to who you are and staying consistent.

You’ve become a cultural icon. How important is representation, especially for young women or artists from diverse backgrounds?

Well, thank you, first of all. I think the representation and being a cultural icon, it's really just about keeping people motivated and inspired, especially for these young women and artists with such diverse backgrounds. People want to learn about your story, your journey, and that brings something new to an oversaturated platform. It's all about being individual and being proud of who you are and where you are from. I've always been so outspoken about my background, my immigrant parents, where I was born, bringing something fresh to a market and having fun while doing it. And that takes a lot of being brave, unapologetic and confident in who you are.

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underwear INTIMISSIMI
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Finally, what’s coming up next for you? Any surprises you can tease for the rest of 2025?

You can expect a new album, a few more movies, and please come and see me at a show. I hope you enjoy my music and thank you very much for supporting me for all these years.

full look MARC JACOBS
ring DINOSAUR DESIGNS

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TEAM CREDITS:

talent RITA ORA
photography LEE MALONE
styling PIPPA ATTKINSON
hair and makeup LISA LAUDAT using M.A.C COSMETICS
1st assistant JAKE MILSOM
2nd assistant CAROLINA MURCIA
editor TIMI LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN
special thanks to KRAZY HORSE for the motorbike