Inside Rita Ora’s secret marriage to Taika Waititi

Rita Ora has opened the lid on her secret wedding to Taika Waititi and is sharing new details of their ‘spiritual’ ceremony.

The singer, 32, tied the knot with the Oscar-winning director, 47, last summer, with Rita revealing she didn’t want “special attention” on that day.

She said Glamor magazine: ‘Some women like to feel that special attention that day. And everyone is different. And for me – I think with my job, it’s all… it’s very attention-driven – I wanted to keep it private because my life and my career aren’t.”

The last minute ceremony was scheduled in just two days and the only guests who attended in person were Taika’s two daughters from his first marriage and Rita’s sister Elena.

The pair were under pressure to find a date between their hectic work schedules, with Rita explaining, “It was then like we had to wait ages. I didn’t want it without my stepchildren. So we just figured it out and we did it. And it was perfect.’

She continued, “My sister was there, which was great for me. And he had his girls there, which was great for him. It was a dream. My parents were on Zoom.’

The low-key wedding ceremony mimicked the hushed proposal, with Rita recalling, “Honestly, it didn’t really get down on one knee.” It was more like, “I want to marry you. Let’s just do it.”

While Rita didn’t share any photos from the big day, she described her “incredible” Tom Ford dress as a white lace dress with a full-length veil that touched the floor.

Despite Rita’s father being a non-practicing Muslim and her mother Catholic, while Taika describes herself as a Polynesian Jew, they chose a non-religious ceremony.

The Hot Right Now hitmaker explained, “It was very spiritual. We just loved the fact that we married each other. I was never really brought up in a forced religion.

“I was naturally drawn to having a God and that there was a Jesus and I followed that route. That was just me.

“But again, I praise my God in my own way. And that’s the way I share my energy with my family.’

Rita – who didn’t tell any of her friends that she was getting married – revealed that she might later throw a big party to celebrate all their loved ones.

Blushing bride: The singer, 32, tied the knot with the Oscar-winning director, 47, last summer, with Rita revealing she didn’t want “special attention” on that day (pictured in her You Only Love Me music video)

Rita finally confirmed she tied the knot in January, saying, “Yes (I’m married). I’m officially off the market folks. I’ve chosen to keep it more private and more to myself, but with my new video I’m playing into what could have been.’

She continued, “When the rumors came out, it’s her, isn’t it? I wanted to play on it. I wanted to do a wedding that didn’t go according to plan…that doesn’t mean it actually happened.”

Gushing about the big day, Rita said, “It was perfect. It was exactly, exactly as I wanted.

“It was fun and perfect. It’s nice to just keep some things to myself, sometimes it was nice and sweet… Sorry, it’s not that interesting. One day I’m throwing a big party.’

Speaking of the possible name change, she admitted, “I definitely thought about taking his last name, but I worked really hard for this Ora name.”

She added, “I don’t know…I haven’t really decided yet.”

Rita and Taika started dating in March 2021 before going public with their romance in August.

The pair were friends for years before dating, with Rita telling Glamor, “I’d say how we got along so well in the beginning, before we decided to screw it all up and start dating.”

“We were friends for a long time, but after five years of friendship, we were like, ‘We think we’re ready to take it to the next level.’ But we were such good friends, we were afraid we’d ruin what we had. But it was great.’

Read the full interview in the GLAMOUR UK May Digital Issue now online

Meant to be: Rita and Taika started dating in March 2021, before going public with their romance in August (pictured earlier this month)