As if her career hasn't already ascended to perennial activity, British singer, model, and actress Rita Ora is set to be even busier in the next 12 months.
The 33-year-old, of Albanian descent, continues to shift culturally from the music scene into acting, a move that shows all the accomplishments of someone brimming with contentment and confidence.
First up in July on Disney+, it's Descendants: The Rise of Red, the fourth film in the Descendants franchise, albeit it's Ora's first appearance in the Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott creation.
Ora will play the tyrannical Queen of Hearts in Wonderland, the mother of Red (played by Kylie Cantrall), as she organizes a coup against Auradon Prep, the school in the fictional setting.
Then, it's on to Tin Soldiers, a British-American action thriller written and directed by Brad Furman, of The Lincoln Lawyer fame. Ora stars alongside Robert De Niro, Jamie Foxx, John Leguizamo, and Scott Eastwood.
The Kosovo-born Ora is also back troubling the upper echelons of the music charts with new material this year; her single "Ask & You Shall Receive" in May 2024, co-written with Raye, has been the forerunner for a summer of concerts in the U.K., Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
Ora married the New Zealand writer, filmmaker, and actor Taika Waititi in 2022, and the couple's creative worlds often collide in exciting and innovative ways.
STRIPLV: When you have established such a reputation for delivering a quality product, do you ever worry about not being able to reach those heights all the time or feel that level of consistency when you go out and perform? ORA: Not really. I think I just like to celebrate the music, just my music, but music in general, and I absolutely love what I do, I know at the same time I am both fortunate to be able to do, but also know that I have worked really bloody hard to get here. What propels me sometimes when my inner spirit is perhaps flagging is the support I have on stage, or the audience, or even my crew. There are always people around you who are there to push you back up, and I love that feeling of having such a support network. There are times when I totally rely on them to keep me going. Mostly, it's the audience. How can anyone find it difficult to perform when you've got such amazing people who will just absolutely go off like a firework at the first note of a track? That's one of the big reasons why I do it, to see those smiling faces, hear their voices singing in unison and just having a great time. STRIPLV: I guess this is a common way to be for artists… ORA: I think the most surprising endorsement of this was with Kylie. She is someone who you would assume would never need that boost and that recognition, but she was one of the first to explain to me how vital it was to get that feeling and that vibe. I think whether you're a musician, a sportsperson, an artist, or an actor on stage, you always need to feed off the crowd and the sensation of the moment. Kylie is amazing, and she always takes time out to speak honestly to people and gives such great advice. She said to me that if you keep letting little bits out to those fans who support you so much, because it's not all glitz and glamour, as much as it may seem. If you do that, then the rest of it will all fall into place. STRIPLV: Is there an expectation that such adoration will always be there? ORA: Definitely not. At every turn, you've got to give them something to justify that support, for them to keep coming out and seeing you, to keep buying merchandise, to keep speaking about you positively amongst friends, whether that be in person or on social media, whatever it is. I absolutely love her, and it means so, so much to me that a legend such as Kylie, who has been there, done it, and got the t-shirt, as well as having gone through so much, and has always come back stronger. For her to be giving me advice, I'm blown away by it. STRIPLV: Do you think we will ever get a collaboration between you and Kylie? ORA: Oh wow. I know. I'm hoping that something could well happen in the future. Sadly, it's not just about calling her up and arranging some studio time and then deciding to come up with something. It would be lovely if it was that easy to just pick up the phone and ask her. It's more about it being the right time, the right point to lay down a track, and for it to be the right track. It's complicated. STRIPLV: The music industry can be brutal at times, can't it? Do you have trusted people who you have to stick with in order to survive? ORA: Oh God, yes. A lot of the things that go on behind the scenes would make your eyes water. There is no artist who hasn't experienced something bad or negative, and it's important you know how to handle what goes on. My support network is good, and I've always been grateful for that. STRIPLV: You have a lot of acting credits on your resume, and you'll soon have another one with Brad Furman's movie Tin Soldier. Although announced in May 2022, the project has experienced delays. ORA: It's an amazing project, and sometimes, these things just take time. It includes Robert De Niro, John Leguizamo, Jamie Foxx, and Scott Eastwood. It's an action thriller, and I'm so excited about it. STRIPLV: Do you sometimes have to pinch yourself when you realize you are working with some of the industry's best? ORA: Of course. Anyone who knows me, knows I have humility in everything I do. I mean, Robert De Niro, are you kidding? They say, "Never meet your heroes," but I am so glad I didn't listen to that advice on this one! STRIPLV: Do you ever wonder how you've got to this point? ORA: I sometimes sense there were so many sliding doors moments along the way. Yes. And, of course, I feel very lucky to be constantly given the opportunities to make good that luck. Albeit I didn't feel lucky as a child. I was born in Pristina, Kosovo (then Yugoslavia), in 1990, and my family moved to London when I was young, ultimately seeking a better life away from conflict and war. It was, therefore, quite a difficult childhood for me in the sense that I didn't really feel as if I belonged to the U.K. in the same way that most of my friends did. I think when you are born in an area or a country, you take that for granted. When you're not, it is always at the back of your mind that you have to earn your place a bit more than others might. STRIPLV: And yet London ultimately gave you a spark, and a passion for music and performance? ORA: Yes, it did. Of course, I put so much into my music and my attempts to get noticed, and I do still feel, even now, it's about being in the right place at the right time. So much of the industry is timing and, as I've said, I'm grateful for the luck I've had. I still realize it could have been so different because there are so many incredible artists out there who don't get the breaks they deserve. It's fascinating to observe how people view someone like me, being, in essence, a refugee who moved to the U.K. and has seen dreams become reality. Without the chance to relocate to London and my parent's courageous decision, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to engage with my idols, much less create music. STRIPLV: Yet the work was put in. ORA: Oh, completely. I stand by the fact that if you invest yourself into a project, a life, and a dream, you give yourself a chance. It is only a chance, and along the way, you need good people around you. But if I can inspire others to go after what they want with energy and optimism, that's a wonderful gift as well. STRIPLV: What was it like to take to the judge's chair on the U.S. version of The Masked Singer. Was the transition across the Atlantic an easy one to make? ORA: It was easier because I was used to the concept, the delivery, the way the team does things. However, America is such a huge place and there's an unbelievable amount of talent running through the country. I am still blown away by the size and the energy of the place whenever I go there. And working on The Masked Singer there has definitely been one of my favorite projects to date.
FISHING FOR PRAISE Why a rather unexpected pastime has Rita Ora hooked
Known for hits like "R.I.P." and "Let You Love Me," singer and actress Rita Ora has what some may deem a surprising passion for fishing. This activity arguably contrasts sharply with the high-energy world of pop music.
Ora's love of angling came to light through a string of social media posts in which she shared pictures and videos of herself engaging in the serene pursuit.
These glimpses into her personal life reveal a different side of the star, someone who appreciates the peace and simplicity of nature, offering respite from the hectic demands of her career.
Fishing is a family tradition, and in interviews, she regularly reminisces about trips during her childhood and time spent with her father and siblings.
Ora says that these outings fostered a deep connection to the hobby. "It's just escapism for me. There's no real competitive element to it – it's just casting your rod and seeing what you catch, and what I catch always goes back."
She is known to fish along sections of the River Thames in London, and other areas close to her Primrose Hill home. "I know it seems random, but it's a chance to recharge and reflect, a welcome and peaceful distraction from the hustle and bustle of the music world. It's something I'll always do." As if her career hasn't already ascended to perennial activity, British singer, model, and actress Rita Ora is set to be even busier in the next 12 months.
The 33-year-old, of Albanian descent, continues to shift culturally from the music scene into acting, a move that shows all the accomplishments of someone brimming with contentment and confidence.