Rita Ora reflects on ‘sacrifices’ made by her refugee parents as she wins GLAMOUR Women of the Year Entertainer Award

Her work with UNICEF supporting projects that help refugees

Since 2013, Rita has worked with UN humanitarian agency UNICEF to connect with refugees who face persecution and displacement. She became an ambassador for the organisation in 2019.

She has spoken at length about how her visit to Kosovo that same year “allowed me to see UNICEF’s wonderful work first hand back in my native country, and I am more determined than ever to utilise my position to support, campaign and advocate.”

Her appearance in the Fifty Shades of Grey series

As well as holding down her role as Mia Grey for all three films, Rita revolutionised the movie soundtrack with For You, her collaboration with Liam Payne.

Being named an Honorary Ambassador of Kosovo

In 2015, she was given an incredible political accolade by Kosovo’s then-president, Atifete Jahjaga, who was, incidentally, the country’s first female president.

Ora was described by Jahjaga as “Kosovo’s most successful artist”.

Breaking music industry records with her second album, Phoenix

Rita’s fourth single released from Phoenix, Let You Love Me, reached number four in the UK. This became her 13th top 10 release and broke a 30-year-old record for most top 10 songs by a British female solo artist – a record previously held by Shirley Bassey.

Legendary singles Anywhere and Your Song also make up Phoenix‘s tracklist. 

The launch of her own Thomas Sabo collection

In July 2019, Rita launched her first collection with Thomas Sabo and continues to be one of the brand’s official global ambassadors.

Becoming a judge on The Masked Singer

Rita joined the iconic – if slightly bizarre – TV show in 2020 as a judge alongside Ken Jeong, Davina McCall and Jonathan Ross.

She has also been a judge on The Voice UK and hosted America’s Next Top Model in 2016. Total TV appearance goals.

Releasing a female empowerment anthem  

Finish Line, an ode to “pushing on” with our dreams and goals “til the resistance is gone” is set to be used as part of the soundtrack to a Disney documentary exploring gender equality called 37 Words, which explores the fight for “equal rights in education and athletics”.

Signing an “empowering” record deal 

Earlier this year, Rita signed a global contract that gives her ownership of all future music she makes.

In an Instagram post announcing the move, she described feeling “empowered”. “I also feel so motivated to be working with such a dynamic, creative, forward-thinking global company,” she added.