Travis Barker thinks Rita Ora is "awesome"

Explaining how they met, Travis said: "I performed there with Tyga and Kid Ink. We had just met through passing. We have a mutual friend named Willie T.

"I had walked up and he was like, 'Yo, take a picture with Rita.' And I was like, 'OK.'

"We just took a photo together, but obviously she's stunning and she's awesome."

The 39-year-old rocker admitted he and Rita - who wore a black and white cheerleader uniform at the event - only spoke briefly that night, though he was able to introduce his 11-year-old son Landon to her and she left a lasting impression.

He added to Us Weekly magazine: "Of course Rita Ora was like the only hot cheerleader at the whole spot, so you couldn't help but notice her."

The 'All the Small Things' rocker dismissed claims his new romance has upset his ex-wife Shanna Moakler - with who he has Landon and nine-year-old daughter Alabama - and that he still lives with the model and is in love with her.

He insisted: "One word for that: just thirsty. Thirsty. I have no connection to my babies' mama except that she's the mother of my children. I don't know where those rumours are coming from. That's the craziest thing I've ever heard.

"We haven't been romantically involved for six to seven years."