News | Entertainment
19 Apr 2024 0:15
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.

    © 2024 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     18 Apr: Cheryl Burke had three "showmances" during her time on 'Dancing with the Stars'
     18 Apr: Brad Pitt feels "happy" to have Ines de Ramon "by his side"
     18 Apr: 'Trainspotting' actor Vincent Friell has died aged 64
     18 Apr: Prince William's first public engagement since news broke of his wife's cancer diagnosis will be a visit to a UK food charity
     18 Apr: Salman Rushdie suffered a cancer scare shortly after he survived a brutal stabbing
     18 Apr: Brandon Lee's sister Shannon Lee is calling for live guns to be banned from film sets
     18 Apr: Sharon Osbourne has been on anti-depressants for more than 30 years
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Former Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander believes Netball Australia will welcome a proposal to include Aotearoa in their Super Netball domestic competition More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Reserve Bank may have to make some unpopular decisions More...



     Today's News

    Rugby League:
    NRL Thursday blog: Resurgent Melbourne Storm continues rivalry with Sydney Roosters 23:37

    Law and Order:
    Man and woman in their 80s believed to have been killed by ram in NZ 23:07

    Basketball:
    2023 NBA draft pick Mojave King is confirmed to be joining the Breakers on a one-year deal in the NBL 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Cheryl Burke had three "showmances" during her time on 'Dancing with the Stars' 21:40

    Golf:
    Lydia Ko admits the women's golf tour is on notice heading into the first major year after Nelly Korda's sensational start to the season 21:17

    International:
    A woman's place is in the sumo ring 21:17

    International:
    Leading neuropsychiatrist says Joel Cauchi may have fallen through cracks of health system ahead of Bondi Junction stabbings 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Brad Pitt feels "happy" to have Ines de Ramon "by his side" 21:10

    Entertainment:
    'Trainspotting' actor Vincent Friell has died aged 64 20:40

    Entertainment:
    Prince William's first public engagement since news broke of his wife's cancer diagnosis will be a visit to a UK food charity 20:10


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2024 New Zealand City Ltd