Rita Sahatçiu Ora is a British singer, songwriter, television personality, and actress. She gained fame in 2012 after featuring on DJ Fresh's single, 'Hot Right Now,' which topped the UK Singles Chart. Her debut studio album, 'Ora,' also released in 2012, debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and included the hit singles 'R.I.P.' and 'How We Do (Party),' both of which reached number one. Ora achieved the highest number of number-one singles on the UK Singles Chart in 2012, with three of her singles reaching the top spot.
1 June 2013: Performance at Chime for Change Concert
On 1 June 2013, Rita Ora performed at the 'Chime for Change' charity concert at Twickenham Stadium in London. The event aimed to raise funds and increase awareness for girls' and women's issues globally.
10 July 2015: Named Honorary Ambassador of Kosovo
On 10 July 2015, Rita Ora was named Honorary Ambassador of Kosovo by President Atifete Jahjaga at the Embassy of Kosovo in London. The ceremony was attended by her parents and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie Blair. Ora expressed being 'overwhelmed' by the honor.
November 1990: Birth of Rita Ora
Rita Sahatçiu Ora was born on 26 November 1990 in Pristina, SFR Yugoslavia (modern-day Kosovo). She is a British singer, songwriter, television personality, and actress. Her birthdate marks the beginning of her life journey.
November 1990: Birth of Rita Ora
Rita Sahatçiu Ora was born on 26 November 1990 in Pristina, SFR Yugoslavia (modern-day Kosovo). She is a British singer, songwriter, television personality, and actress. Her birthdate marks the beginning of her life journey.
2004: First Television Role in The Brief
At age 13, Rita Ora made her first television appearance in an episode of the British drama series, The Brief. Shortly after, she appeared in the British film, Spivs (2004).
December 2008: Signing with Roc Nation
In December 2008, Rita Ora signed a recording and publishing deal with Roc Nation, becoming one of their first signees. This marked a significant step in her music career.
2008: Rita Ora Signs with Roc Nation
In 2008, Rita Ora signed a recording contract with Roc Nation, which later led to legal disputes over the contract's enforceability and her artistic freedom.
2008: Eurovision Audition
In 2008, Rita Ora auditioned for Eurovision: Your Country Needs You on BBC One to be the British contestant for Eurovision 2009. She qualified but later withdrew as she felt unready and thought the challenge wasn't for her.
2009: Cameo in Jay Z's Video
In 2009, Rita Ora made a cameo appearance in Jay Z's video for 'Young Forever'. This appearance highlighted her early connections within the music industry.
2009: Eurovision Withdrawal
In 2009, Rita Ora withdrew from the Eurovision: Your Country Needs You competition. Her manager reassured her that performing in Eurovision would hinder, rather than help, her chances to make it as a solo artist.
2010: Commercial for Skullcandy Headphones
In 2010, Rita Ora featured in a commercial for Skullcandy headphones, marking one of her earlier appearances in advertising.
2011: YouTube Covers
Throughout 2011, Rita Ora released covers and videos on YouTube, showcasing her work on her debut album. These videos caught the attention of DJ Fresh, leading to her feature on 'Hot Right Now'.
2011: Appeared in CK One Campaign
In 2011, Rita Ora appeared in Calvin Klein's CK One campaign, further establishing her presence in the fashion world.
February 2012: Debut Single and Tour
In February 2012, Rita Ora featured on DJ Fresh's single 'Hot Right Now', which debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart. She also opened for Drake's Club Paradise Tour in the UK during the same month.
May 2012: First Solo UK Number One
On 6 May 2012, Rita Ora released 'R.I.P.' featuring Tinie Tempah, which debuted at the top of the UK Singles Chart. This marked her first solo UK number one hit.
August 2012: Debut Album Release
Rita Ora released her debut album 'Ora' on 27 August 2012 in Europe and Oceania. The album debuted at the top of the UK Albums Chart, marking a major milestone in her music career.
September 2012: Tour Announcement
In September 2012, it was announced that Rita Ora would be the opening act for Usher's Euphoria Tour in the UK, set to start in January 2013. However, the tour was later postponed due to Usher's commitments.
November 2012: Concert in Albania
On 28 November 2012, Rita Ora performed as a special guest at a concert in Tirana, Albania, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania. This performance highlighted her cultural roots.
2012: Rita Ora's Breakthrough Year
In 2012, Rita Ora rose to prominence by featuring on DJ Fresh's single 'Hot Right Now', which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. Her debut studio album 'Ora' also debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, with singles like 'R.I.P.' and 'How We Do (Party)' reaching number one. 2012 was a significant year for her career.
January 2013: Tour Postponement
The Euphoria Tour, where Rita Ora was set to be the opening act, was postponed in January 2013 due to Usher's professional and personal commitments. This affected her touring plans.
January 2013: Radioactive Tour
In January 2013, Rita Ora embarked on her first UK tour, the Radioactive Tour, to support her debut album. She was also nominated for three awards at the 2013 Brit Awards, including British Breakthrough Act.
January 2013: Album Direction
In January 2013, Rita Ora revealed that her second album would be clearer and have more direction than her first one. This statement reflected her evolving artistic vision.
February 2013: Second Album Insight
On 26 February 2013, Rita Ora revealed to Digital Spy that her second album would show a different angle to a 'party girl'. This insight gave fans a glimpse of her new musical direction.
June 2013: Glastonbury Performance
On 28 June 2013, Rita Ora performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. This performance was a notable highlight in her live music career.
September 2013: Makeup Collaboration with Rimmel
In September 2013, cosmetics brand Rimmel announced their collaboration with Rita Ora for makeup collections, marking her entry into the beauty industry.
2013: Hosting BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards
From 2013 to 2017, Rita Ora hosted the BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards alongside Nick Grimshaw, showcasing her presence in radio broadcasting.
January 2014: Collaboration with Adidas Originals
In January 2014, Adidas announced a multi-year designer collaboration with Rita Ora for their brand of casual sports clothing, Adidas Originals. Ora designed her own apparel collections for the brand, including footwear and accessories.
March 2014: Marks & Spencer's Leading Ladies Campaign
In March 2014, Rita Ora was one of the cast members of Marks & Spencer's "Leading Ladies" campaign, showcasing her influence in the fashion industry.
April 2014: Appearance in Funny or Die Episode
In April 2014, Rita Ora appeared alongside Korean popstar Hyuna in an episode of Funny or Die titled "Girl, You Better Walk," showcasing her versatility in entertainment.
June 2014: Breakup with Calvin Harris
In June 2014, Rita Ora ended her relationship with Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, marking the end of their year-long relationship that began in 2013.
December 2014: Christmas in Washington Performance
On 14 December 2014, Rita Ora performed at the 2014 telecast of Christmas in Washington, filmed at the National Building Museum. This performance was a significant appearance during the holiday season.
2014: Top 5 UK Singles
In 2014, Rita Ora released the single 'I Will Never Let You Down' and featured on Iggy Azalea's 'Black Widow'. Both songs reached the top 5 in the UK, with 'Black Widow' becoming her first top ten song on the US Billboard Hot 100. This year marked significant chart success for Ora.
February 2015: Academy Awards Performance
On 22 February 2015, Rita Ora performed the song 'Grateful' at the 87th Academy Awards. The song appears in the film 'Beyond the Lights'. This performance was a notable moment in her career.
December 2015: Rita Ora Files Lawsuit Against Roc Nation
In December 2015, Rita Ora filed a lawsuit against Roc Nation, seeking release from the label and citing that the contract she signed in 2008 was "unenforceable" due to California's "seven-year rule". Her complaint highlighted that she had only been permitted to release one album despite creating multiple additional records for release and that her relationship with Roc Nation was "irrevocably damaged".
2015: Role in Fifty Shades of Grey
In 2015, Rita Ora played the role of Mia Grey, Christian Grey's sister, in the film adaptation of the best-selling novel Fifty Shades of Grey. She further reprised this role in the film's two sequels.
2015: Television Judge and Coach
In 2015, Rita Ora served as a judge on The X Factor and a coach on The Voice UK. Her involvement in these talent shows marked her influence in the television industry.
2015: Coaching on The Voice UK and Judging on The X Factor
In 2015, Rita Ora was a coach on the fourth series of The Voice UK, replacing Kylie Minogue. The same year, she signed on as a judge for the twelfth series of The X Factor, alongside BBC Radio 1 presenter Nick Grimshaw, after a bidding war between the two shows.
2015: Honorary Ambassador of Kosovo
In 2015, Rita Ora was named an Honorary Ambassador of Kosovo. This honor recognized her contributions and influence, highlighting her connection to her birthplace.
January 2016: Roc Nation Counter-Sues Rita Ora
In January 2016, Roc Nation filed a counter-lawsuit against Rita Ora in New York, accusing her of breaking her recording contract. This was in response to Ora's December 2015 lawsuit seeking release from the label.
May 2016: Rita Ora and Roc Nation Reach Settlement
In May 2016, Rita Ora and Roc Nation reached a settlement in their legal disputes, concluding the lawsuits that began in December 2015 and January 2016.
June 2016: Rita Ora Signs with Atlantic Records
In June 2016, it was reported that Rita Ora signed a new record deal with Atlantic Records, marking a new chapter in her music career after her settlement with Roc Nation.
July 2016: Hosting America's Next Top Model
In July 2016, Tyra Banks announced that Rita Ora would replace her as the host of the revamped America's Next Top Model, which aired on VH1.
September 2016: Rita Ora Performs at Mother Teresa's Canonisation Vigil
On 3 September 2016, Rita Ora performed at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, participating in the vigil for Mother Teresa's canonisation. She performed alongside other Albanian artists and was accompanied by the Kosovo Philharmonic Orchestra.
2016: Lingerie Collection with Tezenis
In 2016, Rita Ora collaborated with the Italian fashion brand Tezenis on a capsule lingerie collection, expanding her influence in the fashion industry.
May 2017: Release of "Your Song"
On 26 May 2017, Rita Ora released her first solo single in almost two years, titled "Your Song". The track peaked at number seven in the UK and served as the lead single from her second studio album.
2017: Hosting BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards
From 2013 to 2017, Rita Ora hosted the BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards alongside Nick Grimshaw, showcasing her presence in radio broadcasting.
2017: Hosting the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards
On 12 November 2017, Rita Ora hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards in London at Wembley Arena, marking a significant moment in her career as a host.
2017: Fifty Shades Film Series
Rita Ora played Mia Gray in the Fifty Shades film series, appearing in the films released in 2015, 2017, and 2018. Her role in these films marked her contributions to the acting field.
January 2018: Release of "For You" from Fifty Shades Freed Soundtrack
In January 2018, Rita Ora released the song "For You" in collaboration with Liam Payne. The song was part of the soundtrack for the film Fifty Shades Freed.
September 2018: Breakup with Andrew Watt
In September 2018, Rita Ora and American musician Andrew Watt ended their relationship. They had been together since 2016.
September 2018: Announcement and Release of Singles from "Phoenix"
On 18 September 2018, Rita Ora revealed the title of her second studio album, Phoenix, and its release date, set for 23 November 2018. On 21 September, she released the album's fourth single, "Let You Love Me", which reached number four in the UK, marking her 13th top-ten song.
2018: Shoe Collection with Giuseppe Zanotti
In 2018, Rita Ora co-designed a shoe collection with the Italian footwear designer Giuseppe Zanotti, showcasing her creative talents in fashion design.
2018: Release of 'Phoenix' Album
In 2018, Rita Ora released her second studio album, 'Phoenix'. The album produced successful singles such as 'Your Song', 'Anywhere', and 'Let You Love Me'. This achievement made her the first British female solo artist to have thirteen top ten songs in the UK.
2018: Fifty Shades Film Series
Rita Ora played Mia Gray in the Fifty Shades film series, appearing in the films released in 2015, 2017, and 2018. Her role in these films marked her contributions to the acting field.
January 2019: Reconciliation with Andrew Watt
In January 2019, Rita Ora and Andrew Watt reconciled and resumed their relationship, which had ended in September 2018.
April 2019: Became UNICEF UK Ambassador
In April 2019, Rita Ora became one of UNICEF UK's ambassadors, joining the organization to support its global initiatives.
April 2019: Release of "Carry On" for Pokémon: Detective Pikachu
In April 2019, Rita Ora released the song "Carry On" with Norwegian producer Kygo. The song served as a standalone single for the film Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, in which Ora also made a brief appearance.
May 2019: Phoenix Tour Announcement
On 29 October 2018, Rita Ora announced tour dates for her album Phoenix, scheduled to take place in Europe, Asia, and Oceania from 1 March to 29 May 2019.
September 2019: Work on Third Studio Album
In September 2019, Rita Ora confirmed that she had begun working on her third studio album. She shared with NME that people from all over the world had been visiting her studio sessions and mentioned that she had been working on the album for the past two years, aiming to create something new and unique.
September 2019: Judging on The Masked Singer UK
In September 2019, Rita Ora was announced as a judge for the UK version of the music game show The Masked Singer, which aired on ITV in January 2020.
October 2019: Second Breakup with Andrew Watt
In October 2019, Rita Ora and Andrew Watt ended their relationship for the second time after reconciling in January the same year.
2019: Capsule Collection with Escada
In 2019, after appearing as the face of Escada, Rita Ora co-designed a capsule collection with the brand, further establishing her fashion credentials.
2019: Face of Several German Brands
In 2019, Rita Ora was the face of several German brands, including luxury fashion label Escada, jewelry company Thomas Sabo, and footwear retailer Deichmann.
January 2020: Judging on The Masked Singer UK
In September 2019, Rita Ora was announced as a judge for the UK version of the music game show The Masked Singer, which aired on ITV in January 2020.
November 2020: COVID-19 Restrictions Breach
In November 2020, Rita Ora breached COVID-19 restrictions by hosting her birthday party at a West London restaurant during a national lockdown. She had recently returned from Egypt and was supposed to be in isolation for 14 days. Ora apologized for the breach and was fined £10,000.
2020: The Masked Singer UK Judge
Starting in 2020, Rita Ora has been serving as a judge on The Masked Singer UK. Her role on the show has been a significant part of her television career.
February 2021: Release of Collaborative EP "Bang"
On 12 February 2021, Rita Ora released the collaborative extended play, Bang, with Kazakh producer Imanbek, showcasing a new direction in her music.
2021: Role in the Film Twist
In the 2021 film Twist, an adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, Rita Ora played the character of the Artful Dodger, highlighting her acting skills.
2021: Coaching on The Voice Australia
From 2021 to 2023, Rita Ora was a coach on The Voice Australia, showcasing her expertise and influence in the music industry.
2021: The Voice Australia Coach
From 2021 to 2023, Rita Ora served as a coach on The Voice Australia. Her role on the show further established her presence in the television talent show industry.
February 2022: Rita Ora Signs with BMG
In February 2022, Rita Ora signed a record deal with the Berlin-based music label BMG, marking another significant step in her music career.
February 2022: Casting in Disney+ Beauty and The Beast Prequel
In February 2022, Rita Ora was announced to act in the Disney+ prequel to the 2017 film Beauty and The Beast. She was set to play a fugitive with surprising abilities carrying a secret that could affect an entire kingdom. However, the project has been put on hold indefinitely.
August 2022: Marriage to Taika Waititi
In August 2022, Rita Ora married New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi, marking a significant milestone in her personal life. They had been in a relationship since 2021.
2022: Hosting the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards
On 13 November 2022, Rita Ora co-hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards with Taika Waititi in Düsseldorf, Germany, showcasing her continued presence in international events.
January 2023: Release of "You Only Love Me"
On 27 January 2023, Rita Ora released the song "You Only Love Me" as the lead single from her third studio album, You & I, furthering her musical legacy.
September 2023: Joining The Masked Singer US
In September 2023, Fox announced that Rita Ora would join the American version of The Masked Singer during season 11, expanding her presence in international television.
September 2023: Fashion Collaboration with Primark
In September 2023, the Dublin-based retailer Primark announced a multi-season fashion collaboration with Rita Ora. The first collection, co-designed by Ora, consisted of 169 pieces across knitwear, denim, tailoring, and outerwear, along with shoes and accessories.
2023: Pepe Jeans London After Hours Campaign
In 2023, Rita Ora appeared in the "London After Hours" campaign for Pepe Jeans, continuing her influence in fashion advertising.
2023: Third Studio Album 'You & I'
Rita Ora released her third studio album, 'You & I', in 2023. The album debuted at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart and was preceded by the lead single 'You Only Love Me'.
2024: The Masked Singer US Judge
In 2024, Rita Ora is set to join The Masked Singer US as a judge. This expands her role in international television talent shows.
23 March 2013: Performance at Bal de la Rose du Rocher
On 23 March 2013, Rita Ora performed at the Bal de la Rose du Rocher in Monte Carlo to support the Princess Grace Foundation, which aids various charitable causes.
9 March 2016: Speech on Immigration and Syrian Refugee Crisis
On 9 March 2016, at the We Day UK event in London, Rita Ora gave a speech on immigration and the Syrian refugee crisis, a cause organized by Free the Children.