Places can represent both physical spaces as well as emotional environments. As such, they are an important part of an individual’s self-identity. As you must know, Rita Ora was born in Prishtina, Kosovo. She grew up in West London and as an acclaimed singer, Rita has been travelling around the world since she was a young adult. Let’s talk about how all the places Rita has passed through impacted her character, shaping the person she is today.
Rita was born in Prishtina, Kosovo, on the 26th of November 1990. Trying to escape the war that broke out in Kosovo, Rita’s family moved to London when she was only one. Prishtina represents her roots and her culture, which is something Rita proudly recognizes. The city also plays an important role in Rita’s music – starting with her single Shine Ya Light (2012) that was filmed in Prishtina, to her most recent EP BANG (2021), where we can watch Rita dressed up in a typical Albanian costume – she never forgot her origins.
If she was born to be a star, it was the Londoner environment that made her into one. London not only witnessed Rita’s growth as a personna but also played a major role in the process. In the UK, Rita matured from a beautiful caring child to a determined humane adult. In the United Kingdom, Rita matured from a She discovered her talent and passion for music and she molded her character through London’s influences – that being personally, musically or fashion-wise. Rita absorbed the West London culture and embodied it into her being. Quoting Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:
“Those who pass by us, do not go alone, and do not leave us alone; they leave a bit of themselves, and take a little of us.”
Although the author’s phrase refers to people, I do believe the same can happen with places. We leave a part of us in the places we visit as we also take a meaningful part of those places home with us – in memories, experiences or thoughts.
As an international artist and businesswoman, Rita has been travelling the world for the past few years. For half a year, Rita lived in Sydney, Australia, where she not only filmed an extremely successful season of The Voice Australia but also found love in the arms of film-maker and director Taika Waititi. In the last couple of months, Rita spent some time in Los Angeles, California, where she found herself to be ‘in a great place’, surrounded by her boyfriend and best friends while recording her third studio album.
Having recently returned to the UK to film the third season of The Masked Singer, Rita is currently placed at her abode. With the knowledge and experience of all the places she has passed through, Rita is not only following the lead of her music but also of her heart, because sometimes, home is where your heart leads you to; and Rita’s heart is married to her own melody.
ROARA Magazine 