News | Entertainment
17 Sep 2025 8:32
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Rita Ora has no regrets about turning down the chance to compete in the 'Eurovision Song Contest' - insisting it wasn't the right "path" for her

    The pop star, 31, was an aspiring singer without a record deal when she was offered the chance to represent the UK at the annual competition back in 2009 and although she was initially "very excited" about the opportunity, she ultimately felt it wasn't the route to chart stardom she was looking for


    Speaking on the 'Coupledom with Idris and Sabrina Elba' podcast alongside her sister and manager Elena, she explained: "This was before I had even been offered a record deal.

    "It was an opportunity. It came up to audition in front of Andrew Lloyd Webber and I did it, and I got it.

    "I was very excited, but I also felt like it wasn't my time and that wasn't my route into the music industry. I know I was so young to make that decision, but something told me that it wasn't my path, so I didn't do it and said no.

    "I wanted to write songs and it didn't fit me. That was a decision we made together (with her sister and manager Elena) probably one of the first big decisions."

    Elena became Rita's manager just because the 'I Will Never Let You Down' hitmaker kept asking for her opinion and advice, and she thinks they make a great partnership.

    When asked how the sisters ended up working together, Elena said: "Rita would just ask for my opinion and then she started every day.

    "As creative as we are, it is impossible to do everything ... it really makes sense when she is negotiating numbers and I don't even have a clue what is happening - that is what a good team is, it's protecting you".

    After turning down 'Eurovision', Rita landed a record deal with Roc Nation and went on to released her first single with DJ Fresh, 'Hot Right Now', in 2012.

    Her debut album, 'Ora, was released later that year and hit number one on the UK singles chart.

    The UK was represented at 'Eurovision' 2009 by Jade Ewen who came fifth with the song 'It's My Time' and went on to become a member of 'Sugababes'.

    Rita and Elena appear on 'Sibling Revelry', the second episode of the second series of 'Coupledom with Idris and Sabrina Elba'. It is available to download now exclusively at http://www.audible.co.uk/Coupledom2.

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     17 Sep: Tom Pelphrey felt "a sense of home" during the making of Task thanks to visits from his family
     17 Sep: Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46
     17 Sep: Jessie J credits music with helping her cancer recovery
     17 Sep: Emma Heming Willis says moving Bruce Willis into a separate residence was the best decision for their family
     17 Sep: Lana Condor has compared her first meeting with her husband to a Taylor Swift song
     16 Sep: Miley Cyrus has given her seal of approval to her father Billy Ray Cyrus' latest romance with Elizabeth Hurley
     16 Sep: Twiggy's husband Leigh Lawson believes the secret to their happy marriage is meeting later in life
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Netball New Zealand board chair Matt Whineray claims stood-down coach Dame Noeline Taurua was aware of the investigation into the Silver Ferns environment, despite reports to the contrary More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Primary school teachers are demanding more resourcing and support, as they prepare to strike More...



     Today's News

    Business:
    Primary school teachers are demanding more resourcing and support, as they prepare to strike 8:27

    Law and Order:
    UUS prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the 22-year-old accused of murdering right-wing activist Charlie Kirk 8:17

    National:
    From batteries to EV chargers, Australia and NZ need these 3 fixes to hit net-zero at less cost 8:17

    Law and Order:
    A legal issue has cut short the trial of a Christchurch police officer, accused of stealing money handed in by members of the public 8:07

    National:
    Power struggle: why fixing NZ’s ‘broken’ electricity market is such a formidable challenge 8:07

    Business:
    Dairy prices have fallen another 0.8 percent at this morning's Global Dairy Trade auction 8:07

    Entertainment:
    Tom Pelphrey felt "a sense of home" during the making of Task thanks to visits from his family 8:01

    International:
    When does Gout Gout run at the World Athletics Championships? How to watch Gout Gout's 200m heat 7:57

    Law and Order:
    More than seven thousand people have been sent to prison following a conviction 7:47

    Law and Order:
    Two young people are being spoken to by police after a ram raid this morning in Wellington, and subsequent crash 7:37


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd