Rita Ora’s lived in Ladbroke Grove, lets her hair down in Notting Hill, and loves The Shard.
Home is…
I’m gonna sound so crazy, bougie, but I live in Hampstead Heath. I’ve only lived there for two years and I like it because everyone leaves me be. I’m still not that familiar with it, because I’m so used to west London. I usually just travel down to west and hang out there all day.
Where was your first flat?
In Ladbroke Grove. I lived there from when I was 12 until about 21.
Where do you stay in London?
There’s a boutique hotel in Notting Hill called The Laslett — it is gorgeous. There aren’t that many rooms but it really is a nice little safe place. Now it’s about to be unsafe, because everyone will know about it. But I want to give them a shout-out, because they’re really great.
A lot of my friends have been on first dates at Dorian. My first date was actually at Micky’s Fish & Chips
What was your first job?
I worked in a shoe shop! Size in Portobello Road. I got my best friend a job there too, and we were both just 17 years old and thriving. No idea where our lives were going to take us. We were really enjoying it because we just didn’t understand the pressures of the world yet.
Where would you recommend for a first date?
Dorian restaurant in Notting Hill. I’ve not been on a first date there, because it only opened after I got married, but it’s gorgeous and a lot of my friends have been on first dates there. My first date was actually at Micky’s Fish & Chips!
Which shops do you rely on?
Boots. I love a Tesco — and Primark. I could name all the fancy shops, but I’m genuinely thinking of survival. Like what I need every day.
What’s the best meal you’ve had?
There’s a pub in Westbourne Park called The Cow and it just has the best food in the world. The mussels are really good, the Sunday roasts, the Bloody Marys are to die for, and the vibe is just phenomenal.
Where would you most like to be buried in London?
I’d probably say back where I was born in Kosovo, to be fair. My parents would prefer that.
If you could buy any building and live there which would it be?
The Shard. I love it so much because it’s the weirdest shape. I don’t even know that much about it, but I feel like that shape always brings joy to my life every time I see it.
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
I would enforce a massive 10-minute meditation where everyone has to sit and be still for 10 minutes a day. We all really need that. I’m not sure how I will control millions of people for 10 minutes, but I’ll do it.
What makes someone a Londoner?
For me, it’s when you just have your locals. Local pub, park and corner shop. That’s a true Londoner, yeah, when you’ve got a bill with your corner shop and they trust you so much you can go back and pay it later.
Who is the most iconic Londoner?
David Bowie.
What’s the best thing a cabbie has said to you?
[Mimes a cockney accent] “Are you Rita Ora?” I used to get it every time. But I’ve been taking them so for long now I think they know me.
Have you ever had a run-in with a police officer?
Once, at Notting Hill Carnival they protected me and helped me run through the crowd because it was getting a bit crazy. They were very helpful, actually.
Where do you let your hair down?
The Globe in Notting Hill. And it’s next to Dorian so you could go to dinner at Dorian and go to the Globe after.
All my girls that I’ve grown up with – I literally love them to death
Who do you call when you want to have fun?
My best friends, all my girls that I’ve grown up with. I literally love them to death.
What’s your biggest extravagance?
Facials. I’m a bit obsessed with skincare.
What’s your London secret?
There’s a jeweller in Hatton Garden that does all vintage jewellery and it’s unbelievable. A lot of my friends have been getting proposed to with rings from there.
What are you up to at the moment for work?
I’m putting out a single this week and I’m really excited. It’s a new approach for me musically. I’m sort of a one-man soldier in the video. It’s gonna be a surprise for a lot of people. My husband [Taika Waititi] directed it and it was a really fun project to do with people I trust. I hope everyone likes it.
All Natural by Rita Ora is out now
