Rita Ora

Rita Ora, born on November 26, 1990, is a British singer, songwriter, television personality, and actress of Albanian descent. She first gained prominence in 2012 by featuring on DJ Fresh’s single “Hot Right Now,” which topped the UK Singles Chart.

Ora’s debut studio album, Ora (2012), debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, featuring hit singles “R.I.P.” and “How We Do (Party),” both of which reached number one in the UK. She became the artist with the most number-one singles on the UK Singles Chart in 2012, having three singles reach the top spot. In 2014, she released “I Will Never Let You Down,” which debuted at number one, and featured on Iggy Azalea’s “Black Widow,” her first top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Born in Pristina, Kosovo, Ora was named an honorary ambassador of Kosovo in 2015. Her second studio album, Phoenix (2018), produced successful singles like “Your Song,” “Anywhere,” and “Let You Love Me,” making her the first British female solo artist to have 13 top 10 songs in the UK. Her third studio album, You & I (2023), reached the top 10 on the UK Albums Chart.

Ora has also made her mark on television, serving as a judge on talent shows such as The X Factor (2015), The Masked Singer UK (2020–present), and The Masked Singer US (2024), as well as a coach on The Voice UK (2015) and The Voice Australia (2021–2023). As an actress, she is known for her role as Mia Grey in the Fifty Shades film series.

Ora’s musical career began with open mic sessions around London and performances in her father’s pub. In 2008, she auditioned for Eurovision: Your Country Needs You but withdrew, feeling unprepared. She later signed with Roc Nation in December 2008 and made a cameo in Jay Z’s “Young Forever” video. After recording several tracks, she caught the attention of DJ Fresh, leading to her feature on “Hot Right Now.”

Her debut album Ora was released on August 27, 2012, in Europe and Oceania, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart. The album’s success led to nominations for Best New Artist, Push Artist, and Best UK/Ireland Act at the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards. Ora supported Coldplay on their Mylo Xyloto Tour and headlined her own UK tour, the Radioactive Tour, in 2013.

In 2014, she had two top-five UK singles: “I Will Never Let You Down” and “Black Widow.” She also performed “Grateful” at the 87th Academy Awards in 2015. After a legal dispute with Roc Nation, Ora signed with Atlantic Records in 2016.

Her second album, Phoenix, released on November 23, 2018, included hits like “Your Song,” “Anywhere,” and “Let You Love Me,” the latter breaking the record for the most top 10 singles by a British female solo artist. In 2019, she released “Carry On” with Kygo for Pokémon: Detective Pikachu and “Ritual” with Tiësto and Jonas Blue.

In 2021, Ora released the collaborative EP Bang with Imanbek. In 2023, she released “You Only Love Me” and “Praising You” with Fatboy Slim, leading up to her third album, You & I, which debuted at number six in the UK. Rita Ora continues to evolve as a multifaceted artist, balancing her music career with television and film roles.