News | Entertainment
16 Sep 2025 10:52
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
     16 Sep: Sami Sheen had no idea she was the reason her father Charlie Sheen got sober
     16 Sep: Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa could be "married by Christmas"
     16 Sep: Gwyneth Paltrow still battles "excruciating" pain over the death of her father more than two decades ago
     16 Sep: G Flip and Chrishell Stause are planning to marry every year
     16 Sep: Ed Sheeran has launched a fashion collection inspired by his new album Play
     16 Sep: Naomi Ackie has given away "15 bags of clothes" to charity as she attempts to slim down her wardrobe
     16 Sep: Liam Hemsworth has got engaged
     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
    Watties has explained its decision to suddenly end contracts with local peach suppliers More...



     Today's News

    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 10:47

    National:
    Tom Phillips’ children will carry complex trauma from their abduction – expert care will be crucial 10:37

    Entertainment:
    Sami Sheen had no idea she was the reason her father Charlie Sheen got sober 10:31

    National:
    12,000-year-old smoked mummies reveal world’s earliest evidence of human mummification 10:27

    Business:
    Watties has explained its decision to suddenly end contracts with local peach suppliers 10:27

    International:
    How much fish is in tinned tuna, and how to shop for your needs 10:17

    National:
    The Moon is getting slightly farther away from the Earth each year - a physicist explains why 10:17

    Rugby League:
    The NRL league judiciary has come in for scrutiny again after the opening round of play-offs 10:07

    National:
    How ‘South Park’ could help Democrats win back the young voters the party lost to Trump 10:07

    International:
    What to expect from Donald Trump's state visit to the UK 10:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd