Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Lisa McLoughlin

Rita Ora shares rare insight into her and Taika Waititi marriage as she calls him her ‘best friend’

Rita Ora has said she’s so “lucky” to have married her “best friend” Taika Waititi.

The singer spoke candidly about how their relationship has always been “effortless”, thanks to the strong foundation they built as friends first.

The 32-year-old shared: “We just fell into this incredible rhythm, and there was no effort, and I felt really lucky because we were friends [for] a long time before we decided to ruin everything to go to the next level.”

Ora went on to explain how they constantly “lift each other up” while detailing their undeniable chemistry.

As reported by the Daily Star, she said: “There is so much presence in the room that it’s understandable because we are very passionate people individually, so together, it really just goes.

“Instead of it being like, ‘No, no,’ it’s actually like, ‘Oh my God, I get it; I’m the same. Oh my God, I get it too’, and then it just gets bigger and becomes this massive flame.”

In January, Ora confirmed that she and Waititi had married after months of speculation.

“I am officially off the market, people. I chose to keep it more private and keep it to myself more but with my new video I am playing on what could have been,” she said during an interview on Heart Breakfast at the time.

“When the rumours came out is she, isn’t she? I wanted to play on it. I wanted to do a wedding that didn’t go to plan… that’s not to say that is actually what happened.”

Giving further insight into the big day, the hitmaker explained: “It was perfect. It was exactly, exactly how I wanted.

“It was nice and perfect. It is nice to keep some things just to myself sometimes it was nice and sweet… Sorry it’s not that interesting. One day I will throw a big party.”

Speaking about her decision to finally reveal her happy news, she continued: “I knew putting music out that was inspired by where I am at [in my life] – I knew the questions were going to come.

“I just thought I may as well put it in my music so this is the first time where the music does all the talking. It explains my love story which is on the album.”

Ora and New Zealand-born Waititi – who is behind box office hits such as Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit – are understood to have been in a relationship since 2020, with rumours of them getting engaged starting to circulate last year.

Waititi set tongues wagging in September when he was photographed wearing a ring on his left hand.

This is Ora’s first marriage, while Waititi was previously married to film producer Chelsea Winstanley, with whom he shares two children.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.