Rita Ora was in the news today (Feb 2024) because she replaced Kelly Rowland at the last minute on “Today with Hoda”.  The scuttlebutt being that Kelly’s team said the dressing room wasn’t up to par. GASP!  But you know Rita jumped at the opportunity as she does with just about anything that comes her way.  I love her unmitigated and unabashed drive to be seen. 

In 2023 her album peaked at #6 in the UK and there’s a song out with Joel Corry called “Drinkin'” which is getting some dance airplay, but not really causing sparks in the States.  I've always liked her dance music and wondered why she has never had as much success here in the United States as in Europe. Which is why I jumped at the chance to see her perform at a small venue called The Independent in San Francisco on August 25th, 2015. 

I took my friend Nico T. who didn't know much about Rita other than “Black Widow” with Iggy Azalea.  (But he DOES know a lot about contortionism and gymnastics. Nico is a rare kinda guy.) My fellow spazz was patient with me and understood that I wanted to be front and center in this general admission small venue, I insisted that we go early, lubricate well with alcohol and plant ourselves right at the foot of the stage. 

Rita did not disappoint! She was such an energetic ball of fire and knowing her only from dance hits that were on my workout playlist, I was pleasantly surprised to hear her that she had a beautiful accent.  Especially when it was directed right at me! I was wearing a light blue v-neck short sleeve shirt and at one point when she was talking to the audience, she looked at me and she said, "Hello sir, I can see your tits from here!" 

It was an 11 song setlist and she gave us her all - I especially loved hearing “I Will Never Let You Down” live.  As she was saying her goodbyes after the encore of “Body On Me”, I pulled this photo and a blue Sharpie from the envelope with cardboard that I had in my pocket and handed them to her. She winked at me, quickly signed and left the stage.  Such a fun night.  The signature is rushed and illegible, but hey, it’s got a good back-story. 

Rita has had her hands in music, TV, film and fashion and I admire her ambition. With her marriage to Taika Waititi (“sex god” as she called him on “Watch What Happens Live”), I can only conclude that this A-list duo of imaginative, creative and out-of-the-box thinkers will fuel each other’s drive to participate in even more interesting projects. 

Quick snippet of her on-stage - LOVE HER