News | Entertainment
5 Dec 2025 21:27
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
     05 Dec: Alicia Silverstone has offered a $50,000 reward for the return of two missing giraffes
     05 Dec: Tracy Morgan has fed 19,000 families through his charity work
     05 Dec: Ethan Hawke's wife Ryan Shawhughes fled the set of his new movie Blue Moon after seeing his "combover"
     05 Dec: Sydney Sweeney is "handling" fame "incredibly well", according to her Christy co-star Ben Foster
     05 Dec: Ray J has been arrested over allegations he pulled a gun on his ex-wife Princess Love during a Thanksgiving day livestream
     04 Dec: The Prince and Princess of Wales have congratulated Robert Irwin on his Dancing With the Stars win
     04 Dec: Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman were allegedly present during a confrontation between Ryan Reynolds and Justin Baldoni
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Black Caps are trying to wrap up the first cricket test against the West Indies, on day four in Christchurch More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Chris Luxon admits many Kiwis still haven't felt the economy turn a corner More...



     Today's News

    Cricket:
    West Indies batter Shai Hope has reached his century, late on day four of the first cricket test against New Zealand in Christchurch 21:17

    International:
    'Cloud Dancer' named as Pantone colour of the year for 2026 21:07

    Health & Safety:
    Warnings not to collect and eat shellfish along the Bay of Plenty coast - with unsafe levels of toxins that could cause paralysis, respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death 18:57

    Law and Order:
    A South Korean man's been sentenced to 14 months prison time for attempting to buy a rare native gecko 18:37

    International:
    Israel's continued participation in Eurovision the latest in a string of contentious moments 18:17

    Law and Order:
    A man's died after turning up at an Auckland medical centre with stab injuries - plunging Police into a homicide inquiry 18:07

    Health & Safety:
    Kindercare says it's shocked by the incident and harm to children 18:07

    Christchurch:
    A fun activity at a Christchurch daycare went horrifically wrong today - after a misidentified corrosive substance ended up on a water slide 17:37

    Rugby League:
    Australian boxing promoter George Rose is relieved Nelson Asofa-Solomona can finally be rewarded for belting opponents 17:37

    Rugby:
    The Black Caps are trying to wrap up the first cricket test against the West Indies, on day four in Christchurch 16:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd