News | Entertainment
7 Nov 2025 20:07
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
     07 Nov: Sir Paul McCartney was inspired to form Wings after seeing country star Johnny Cash performing with his wife June Carter
     07 Nov: Sydney Sweeney wasn't affected by the American Eagle jeans controversy
     07 Nov: Kerry Katona sees herself as a "great example" of turning your life around
     07 Nov: Reese Witherspoon is convinced Jennifer Aniston is "not who people think she is"
     07 Nov: Alec Baldwin's wife Hilaria Baldwin is convinced she was voted off Dancing With The Stars because of a social media "campaign"
     07 Nov: Ariana Grande is "beyond devastated" to be missing the Wicked: For Good premiere in Brazil due to flight issues
     07 Nov: Michael Jackson biopic trailer released online after reported legal troubles
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The All Blacks will wear a white strip against Scotland in Sunday's Grand Slam test at Murrayfield in Edinburgh More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Government hopes changes to the screen production rebate will lure more Hollywood productions to Kiwi shores More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Sir Paul McCartney was inspired to form Wings after seeing country star Johnny Cash performing with his wife June Carter 19:37

    Entertainment:
    Sydney Sweeney wasn't affected by the American Eagle jeans controversy 19:07

    Soccer:
    Concerns from Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano over the A-League's officiating following a season-ending injury to one of his key attackers 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Kerry Katona sees herself as a "great example" of turning your life around 18:37

    Rugby League:
    Kiwis stand-off Dylan Brown is singing the praises of his halves partner ahead of the Pacific Championships final 18:37

    Entertainment:
    Reese Witherspoon is convinced Jennifer Aniston is "not who people think she is" 18:07

    Netball:
    The Silver Ferns complaints which triggered the standing-down of New Zealand coach Dame Noeline Taurua have been revealed 18:07

    Living & Travel:
    Readers on the grief that comes with euthanising a dog 18:07

    Entertainment:
    Alec Baldwin's wife Hilaria Baldwin is convinced she was voted off Dancing With The Stars because of a social media "campaign" 17:37

    Technology:
    An internet outage during NCEA exams yesterday means some students might turn to derived grades to counteract the disadvantage 17:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd