Rita Ora
- Music Artist
- Actress
- Composer
Rita Ora is a British singer-songwriter. She was born Rita Sahatçiu Ora in 1990 in Pristina, Kosovo, to Vera (Bajraktari) and Besnik Sahatçiu. She is a granddaughter of directorBesim Sahatçiu.At age one, her family decided to move to the United Kingdom. She grew up in West London and attended St Cuthbert with St Matthias CE Primary School in Earls Court, following which she graduated from Sylvia Young Theatre School and then St Charles Catholic Sixth Form College. She began singing from a young age.
In 2004, she appeared in the British film Spivs. She auditioned for Eurovision: Your Country Needs You on BBC One to be the British contestant for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest but later withdrew from the competition after a few episodes as she did not feel ready.
In 2007, Ora had her first music release when she appeared onCraig David's track entitled "Awkward" and then again in 2008 on "Where's Your Love" featuringTinchy Stryder,for which she also appears in the music video. Ora began singing in bars in and around London, and in 2009 a A&R told Roc Nation about Ora, a few days after Ora flew out to New York and metJay-Z.In 2009, Ora made a cameo onJay-Z's video for "Young Forever" and "Over" by Drake. Ora caught the attention ofJay-Zand he quietly signed her to Roc Nation, in which she was featured in a commercial for Roc Nation + Skullcandy Aviator Headphones.
In 2004, she appeared in the British film Spivs. She auditioned for Eurovision: Your Country Needs You on BBC One to be the British contestant for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest but later withdrew from the competition after a few episodes as she did not feel ready.
In 2007, Ora had her first music release when she appeared onCraig David's track entitled "Awkward" and then again in 2008 on "Where's Your Love" featuringTinchy Stryder,for which she also appears in the music video. Ora began singing in bars in and around London, and in 2009 a A&R told Roc Nation about Ora, a few days after Ora flew out to New York and metJay-Z.In 2009, Ora made a cameo onJay-Z's video for "Young Forever" and "Over" by Drake. Ora caught the attention ofJay-Zand he quietly signed her to Roc Nation, in which she was featured in a commercial for Roc Nation + Skullcandy Aviator Headphones.