News | Entertainment
9 Nov 2025 2:53
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
     08 Nov: Seth Meyers has hit back at Donald Trump after the U.S. president attacked him on social media
     08 Nov: Macaulay Culkin has stepped back into his Kevin McCallister role for a new Christmas advertising campaign with a message about family and ageing
     08 Nov: Patti Smith has revealed how she discovered the man who raised her was not her biological father
     08 Nov: Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been photographed spending time with former NBA player Sebastian Telfair inside FCI Fort Dix
     08 Nov: Sir David Beckham paid tribute to his wife Victoria Beckham with his knighthood ceremony outfit
     08 Nov: Tori Spelling has formally concluded her marriage to Dean McDermott
     07 Nov: Guillermo del Toro says his long-awaited adaptation of Frankenstein feels deeply "autobiographical"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    All Blacks first five Beauden Barrett has taken it upon himself to underline how close Scotland have come to tipping up New Zealand in the last two visits More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Major US tech companies have lost more than $1 trillion in market value since the beginning of November 2025 More...



     Today's News

    Accident and Emergency:
    Over 40 trampers evacuated, and an estimated 300 hectares burned, as a fire rages in the Tongariro Forest Park 22:07

    Environment:
    MetService has warned of severe thunderstorms sweeping across part of Northland 21:57

    Business:
    Major US tech companies have lost more than $1 trillion in market value since the beginning of November 2025 18:57

    Accident and Emergency:
    Fire fighters are battling what's estimated to be a 50-hectare vegetation blaze in the Tongariro Forest Park 18:47

    Soccer:
    Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano is backing his side to handle the occasion of tonight's first A-League Kiwi derby of the season against Auckland FC in the capital 18:37

    Politics:
    Inside the debate over the glass elevator Bali is building on the 'world's most beautiful beach' 18:17

    Auckland:
    A man has died after being pulled from the water at a beach, in Central Auckland 17:27

    Rugby:
    All Blacks first five Beauden Barrett has taken it upon himself to underline how close Scotland have come to tipping up New Zealand in the last two visits 17:17

    International:
    Sudan's crisis has entered a dramatic new phase — but it started years ago 17:07

    Soccer:
    Auckland FC will look to avoid getting caught up in the emotion of tonight's A-League derby against the Phoenix in Wellington 16:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd