Rita Ora is married to Taika Waititi, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker and actor from New Zealand. Their relationship evolved from a six-year friendship into a romance that culminated in a private wedding at their Los Angeles home in August 2022. The couple has since collaborated professionally while blending their families and building a life across multiple continents.
Who Is Taika Waititi?
Taika Waititi is a celebrated New Zealand director, actor, comedian, and screenwriter with an impressive body of work. He won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Jojo Rabbit, a film that also earned him a Best Picture nomination. He directed Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok and its sequel Thor: Love and Thunder, bringing his signature comedic style to the superhero franchise. Waititi also portrayed the character Ratcatcher in The Suicide Squad. He is known for voicing Korg in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and for co-creating the mockumentary series What We Do in the Shadows. His career spans independent films and major studio productions, making him one of Hollywood’s most versatile creative forces.
How Rita Ora and Taika Waititi Met
Rita Ora and Taika Waititi first crossed paths in 2018 at a barbecue hosted at Waititi’s Los Angeles home. The singer later shared that they were friends for six years before their relationship turned romantic. On The Drew Barrymore Show in February 2023, Ora explained that they met long before they decided to “ruin everything” by dating, adding that they experienced an evolution in their romance at a certain point and never looked back. Waititi himself posted about their early connection in February 2022, sharing a photo from the night they met and writing that they had been mates ever since, then decided to “complicate” things.
The Beginning of Their Romance
Rumors of a romantic relationship between Rita Ora and Taika Waititi began circulating in early 2021. The Sun reported that the pair had been together since March of that year. In April 2021, Ora shared an Instagram post featuring photos of the couple, which she later deleted, with the caption referencing good times and the ones she loved. In May 2021, the couple was photographed in Australia with Thor star Tessa Thompson, showing affection in what became a widely discussed moment in entertainment media. The trio appeared to share kisses, adding intrigue to the early days of Ora and Waititi’s public romance.Quick Bio: Taika Waititi
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Their Red Carpet Debut
August 2021 marked a significant milestone when Rita Ora and Taika Waititi made their red carpet debut as a couple at the Los Angeles premiere of The Suicide Squad. Waititi had a role in the film, providing a natural reason for their joint appearance. The couple attended the 2021 Met Gala together shortly after, where they shared kisses and held each other close on the red carpet. When asked about the relationship by Vogue Australia in September 2021, Ora stated she was in a great place in her life but emphasized that privacy was important, noting she had learned a lot in her twenties.
The Engagement and Wedding
Rita Ora proposed to Taika Waititi during a vacation in Palm Springs, California, in the summer of 2022. Waititi told Vogue that she proposed to him and he said yes instantly. Their wedding took place on August 4, 2022, at their home in Los Angeles, not in London or France as many news outlets had incorrectly reported. Only eight guests attended the intimate ceremony. Among them were Ora’s sister Elena, Waititi’s two daughters, and his best friend Jermaine Clement, who flew in from New Zealand. The couple’s parents joined the celebration via Zoom call, ensuring family members who could not attend in person could still witness the moment.
Ora wore three Tom Ford outfits on her wedding day, starting with a gown for the ceremony and changing into different ensembles for the afterparty. Her sister walked her down the aisle. A friend gifted the couple a performance by an Elvis Presley impersonator, and their wedding cake was a simple white iced sponge decorated with the phrase “We’re married b******!!!” The couple described the event as simple, blissful, calm, private, and fun, with no table settings or the stressful elements typical of larger weddings.
Confirming the Marriage to the Public
Rita Ora officially confirmed her marriage to Taika Waititi in January 2023 during an interview with Heart Breakfast radio in the United Kingdom. She told listeners that she was officially off the market and had chosen to keep the wedding private because her career is so public. Ora added that the ceremony was exactly how she wanted it, calling it nice and sweet. She later showed off her emerald and diamond wedding ring on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, giving fans a glimpse of the jewelry that accompanied her new marital status.
Creative and Professional Collaborations
Rita Ora and Taika Waititi have merged their personal and professional lives through several creative projects. Waititi directed the music video for Ora’s single You Only Love Me, which featured actual voicemails he had left for her. The video included cameo appearances from Sharon Stone, Lindsay Lohan, and Kristen Stewart. Waititi also directed the video for Ora’s 2025 single All Natural. The couple co-hosted the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards in Düsseldorf, Germany, showcasing their chemistry on stage. Ora has hosted the MTV EMAs in 2017 and 2024 as well, but those appearances did not include her husband.
The Album Inspired by Their Wedding
Ora’s 2023 album You & I was heavily inspired by her relationship with Waititi. She returned to the studio the morning after her wedding to work with producer Cirkut, telling him she was a bit slow because she had gotten married the previous day. The resulting wedding song became the album’s title track, which incorporated music from their wedding playlist including Eternal Flame, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Wonderful World, Everlasting Love, Sweet Caroline, Stand by Me, and The Way You Look Tonight. Ora described You & I as her diary of the previous few years, representing her true sound and who she is today.
Waititi’s Influence on Ora’s Music
Taika Waititi served as a driving force behind Rita Ora’s return to music after a difficult period in her career. Ora told Billboard that she had hit a low point where she had lost confidence and hope after spending so much time fighting to be heard. Meeting Waititi changed her forever, she explained, noting that she had never felt that kind of love before. The experience inspired her to write down her feelings and begin making music again. Waititi pushed her to embrace the songwriting process and focus on her emotions rather than avoiding them.
Rita Ora as Stepmother
Rita Ora became a stepmother to Taika Waititi’s two daughters from his previous marriage to film producer Chelsea Winstanley. His daughters are named Te Hinekahu and Matewa Kiritapu. Ora has described the experience as a real eye-opener and has spoken positively about her relationship with the girls. She enjoys spending time with her stepdaughters and has expressed a desire to add to the family, though she has acknowledged the challenges of balancing parenthood with two demanding careers. Ora has also maintained a friendly relationship with Winstanley, emphasizing the importance of creating a healthy environment for the children.
Plans for Expanding Their Family
Rita Ora has revealed that she froze her eggs when she was 24 and again at 27, a decision her husband Taika Waititi has expressed gratitude for as they consider having children together. Ora told The Times that Waititi remarked, “Good job for planning ahead, girl.” She has cited former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as an inspiration for demonstrating that women can balance work and motherhood. Ora previously worried that having children would be impossible given their busy schedules but now feels more optimistic about the possibility.
Balancing Multiple Homes and Careers
Rita Ora and Taika Waititi divide their time between London, Los Angeles, and Waititi’s native New Zealand. Ora has described returning to the United Kingdom as exciting because she loves staying in London. The couple has maintained their individual careers while supporting each other’s creative endeavors. Ora has credited Waititi with respecting her space and sliding in where their creative visions align. She noted that they are very similar in their thinking and that their preexisting friendship has helped them maintain a strong partnership.
Recent Public Appearances
Rita Ora and Taika Waititi appeared together on The Masked Singer during season thirteen, where Waititi was revealed as Lucky Duck in a surprise to Ora, who has served as a panelist on the show for years. Upon discovering her husband’s identity, Ora ran to the stage to greet him. The moment provided a heartwarming television moment that highlighted their playful relationship. The couple continues to make joint appearances at industry events while maintaining their individual projects in music and film.
The Strength of Their Partnership
Rita Ora has described her relationship with Taika Waititi as awesome, emphasizing that mutual respect forms the foundation of their marriage. She told The Sun that their friendship before romance helped them develop clear visions of what they want both individually and together. Ora explained that being in the same industry helps them understand each other’s professional demands, but she believes they would have been compatible even in different careers because of their similar thinking patterns. The couple’s relationship has thrived through their collaboration, mutual support, and commitment to privacy despite their public profiles.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Rita Ora meet Taika Waititi?
Rita Ora and Taika Waititi met in 2018 at a barbecue hosted at Waititi’s Los Angeles home. They were introduced by actor Robert Pattinson and remained close friends for several years before their relationship turned romantic in early 2021.
When did Rita Ora and Taika Waititi get married?
The couple married on August 4, 2022, in a private ceremony at their Los Angeles home. Only eight guests attended, including Waititi’s two daughters and his best friend Jermaine Clement. Rita Ora proposed to Waititi during a vacation in Palm Springs earlier that summer.
Does Rita Ora have children with Taika Waititi?
Rita Ora does not have biological children with Taika Waititi, but she is stepmother to his two daughters from his previous marriage to film producer Chelsea Winstanley. Ora has spoken positively about the experience and has expressed interest in expanding their family in the future.
Has Taika Waititi directed any of Rita Ora’s music videos?
Yes, Taika Waititi directed the music videos for Rita Ora’s singles “You Only Love Me” and “All Natural.” The “You Only Love Me” video featured actual voicemails he had left for Ora and included cameo appearances from Sharon Stone, Lindsay Lohan, and Kristen Stewart.
What inspired Rita Ora’s album You & I?
Rita Ora’s 2023 album You & I was heavily inspired by her relationship with Taika Waititi. The title track was written the morning after their wedding and incorporated music from their wedding playlist. Ora has described the album as her diary of the previous few years and a representation of who she is today.
