Rita Ora Reveals Why She Planned Her Secret Wedding to Taika Waititi in Just a Few Days

In August of 2022, news broke that Rita Ora and Taika Waititi tied the knot in a top-secret ceremony in London, but it wasn’t until January of 2023 that the “For You” singer confirmed her marriage to the filmmaker. Now, the artist is revisiting that special day and revealing some behind-the-scenes details. During a cover story interview for Glamour UK on May 15, 2023, Ora reflected on the wedding planning process, which spanned only a few days. “[The wedding was planned] in two to three days, when I was out of cycle, which is what I call it when I’m not in album cycle mode,” the tells the outlet. 

Part of the reason why the couple wanted to say “I do” so quickly was due to the filmmaker’s children. “His kids were there, and I really wanted them to be a part of it,” she explains. “It was either then or we had to wait for ages. I didn’t want to do it without my stepkids there, so we just figured it out, and we did it. And it was perfect.” Waititi’s two daughters from a previous marriage, Te Kāinga o te Hinekāhu and Matewa Kiritapu, were present, along with Ora’s sister, Elena Ora. The musician’s parents watched the couple trade vows via Zoom. “It was a dream,” Ora reminisces. 

The celebration was an intimate affair, which was an intentional decision for the singer-songwriter. “Some women like to feel that real special attention that day, and everyone’s different,” she explains. “And for me—I think with me job…it’s very attention-driven—I wanted to keep it private because my life and my career aren’t.” During the interview, Ora also revealed that Waititi didn’t officially get down on one knee and pop the question like a traditional proposal. Instead, he simply stated, “I want to marry you. Let’s just do it,” according to the “Let You Love Me” singer.

After many rumors and reports circulated, a source told People in August 2022 that the couple tied the knot in a small ceremony in London. Ora didn’t publicly address the speculation until January 2023. The Kosovar-British singer confirmed her marital status on Heart Breakfast, a U.K. radio program. When hosts Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden asked whether she was married, Ora said, “Yes, here we are. They say everything happens for a reason. I am officially off the market, people.” She shared that her special day was “exactly how I wanted it” and “nice and perfect,” rather than an elaborate affair. “One day, we’ll throw a big party,” she noted. “I’ll figure out the time to have a big, big party.”

The following month, during an appearance on Live With Kelly and Ryan (now Life With Kelly and Mark), Ora mentioned that she isn't going to change her last name. "I still just go by Rita Ora," she said on air. "I feel like it's been such a whirlwind, the whole experience, and I'm just trying to keep up with you guys."

Ora and Waititi have been linked since April 2021. During the Glamour UK interview, the singer noted that she needed to gain self-acceptance and understanding before being able to sustain a long-term romantic relationship. "I truly believe that when you look at yourself in a certain way, you have to find your partner," she says. "And I believe that takes time and patience and getting to know [yourself], and then it just happens."