Begin Again with Davina McCall - Rita Ora: I Proposed to my Husband Taika!

Episode Date: June 26, 2025

In this episode of Begin Again, global pop icon and actress Rita Ora sits down for her most open conversation yet. She reflects on the intense scrutiny she’s faced, the pressure of fame, and why speaking her truth now matters more than ever. Rita shares how Beyoncé’s support helped her through a time when her identity and integrity were under attack. She speaks honestly about the journey to feel seen on her own terms, the impact of tabloid pressure in her twenties, and how she finally feels more grounded, more herself, than ever before. The episode dives into her marriage to Taika Waititi, the joy and complexity of becoming a stepmother, and what it means to fully embrace her sexuality. With warmth, wisdom, and clarity, Rita reveals how she’s built a more peaceful, authentic life—one shaped by self-trust, real love, and personal growth. 🎙️ Drop a comment: What’s Your Biggest takeaway? Follow me here: www.instagram.com/beginagain https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod (00:00) Intro (00:04:26:10) Celebrating Confidence & Sexuality (00:07:03:02) False Headlines (00:10:04:17) Rita’s Fanbase: The Ritabots (00:11:53:19) Rita’s Work Ethic & Refugee Life (00:17:38:19) Signing with Jay-Z’s Label (00:22:11:24) 'Hot Right Now' Global Success (00:24:19:00) Love-Hate Relationship with the Press (00:28:01:00) Media Impact on Mental Health (00:31:42:23) Ridiculed for Embracing Sexiness (00:33:37:19) The Masked Singer Journey (00:35:09:12) Rita's Acting Career (00:36:48:10) Ancient & Brave Ad (00:38:35:14) Friendship With Beyoncé (00:43:44:23) Rita’s Relationship with Taika (00:58:17:07) Overcoming Challenges (01:00:00:06) Becoming a Stepmother (01:05:01:24) Rita’s Proposal to Taika (01:08:14:14) Plans for the Future (01:09:30:02) Mental Health & Hypochondria Sponsored by: Ancient + Brave - https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet with code BEGINAGAIN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Via rail. Love the way. You are the biggest selling female artist in the UK. And also, you are the most solid, loyal person. And make a real effort to stay connected to people that I love. Any headline you can. think of always trickles down to my parents when I feel like my family are being affected. That's what bothers me.

I was turning 19 when I had my first record deal. The world was my oyster. With my new album, I just have this ambition to enjoy my sexuality. I want to rip my clothes off, obviously not physically. It's only growing older that gives you the confidence to be in your own skin. Tyker, he's your soulmate. Oh, I'm so lucky. Robert Patterson is the reason why I met Tyker.

I don't think I've ever thanked him for it. Thank you. Is it true that you propose? Absolutely. This is girl power. Your mum, she had breast cancer. It was tough seeing something that you've believed is always going to be there. Rumble in front of you.

Look at you now. I have this ambition in life to just make the most of it. And maybe a family. Can I just say something, Rita? Um, wow. I mean, that was quite mad because I forgot I was working there for a moment. I forgot we were actually filming a podcast. It felt like I was just sat down with a mate.

But what I really wanted to do was to show you real Rita, because Rita's one of the hardest working, most loyal, funniest, most dedicated people I know. And I just loved, I loved talking to and I hope you. get as much out of it as I did. Oh, by the way, if you're listening, please can you give us a follow? That would be amazing. Okay. I'm so happy.

We did it. We did it. We have made it. Do you know what? I think is brilliant. So it's funny because I feel like I know you well. Yes, you do. And I've worked with you on The Mask Singer for many seasons.

And yet there was so much about you that I didn't. No. Really? Yeah. I feel like I've literally told you everything in between filming. Well, you know, the other thing I think is mad. Yeah. Is that I don't think I knew that you are the biggest selling female artist in the UK.

I had no idea about that. I also went to Spotify and looked at your top five most listen to tracks. Over half a billion listens each. Yeah. Not added up. like each. Oh, wow. It's like, I've got goosebumps talking about it, honestly.

You're like, my friend's pretty cool. You're, yeah. No idea. But you're like, oh, mega. I've stopped looking at the stats because it's almost as if like I've become my own competition, which is great. What I mean by that? It's almost like I look at things and the results of what I've done and then I try and beat them or accomplish them or make them the sense. And that is a slippery slope. I love, and I'm so proud of what I've done, and I still am so

proud of what's yet to come. Yeah. But there's also that part of like, can I do it again? Can I do it again? And it just never, ever stops. So with all those incredible, I would say, accomplishments, there is that inner voice that is like, okay, we have to do it again. We have to do it again. You know what really, really, really surprised me? Yeah. was, it's so beautiful, by the way. Well, hello. Like,

I have had a village put me together today, DeVina. I've just had me. Yes. That says a lot. But I did think I'm going short. Rita's going to let it. I have a short can going on. Also, sock.

I'm a better. Can I just say I'm so feeling all the metal. Thank you. Yeah. I just felt like I need my hardware to come back. I'm going into my sexy era. Yes. I mean, can I just say.

you've always been in your sexy era. Oh, thank you. Yeah, and obviously the song, let's just talk about that. This is like two girls catching up so many times. Your producer's probably like, you're doing too much, or we're doing it. It's not too fast. I know. Slow down.

No, but heat is so, so good. Thank you. I love it. The video is mega. I'm having so much fun. Yeah. I have this real, like, ambition in life to just try and make the most of it. And I think with my new album that I am putting out this year,

it's my fourth album. It's later in the year. I haven't actually released the name title or the date yet, partially because I don't know exactly the date as I keep changing my mind, but I have the album title. Because I always want to fix it or put something new in there or do something different. But I just have this real brave ambition to come out and enjoy my sexuality.

be in my skin, be a woman, and just like get my skin out there and feel free. Something came over me, like, during the two to three years that I had from my last record to now, like, I just felt like, I can't explain it. It's like I want to rip my clothes off, kind of, obviously not physically. But like that's the energy I felt like I needed. And so with Heat, the new single, I think it's such a great introduction to the bigger world. I'm creating because it's all about feeling sexy. I mean, the open lyric is sex on site, which is basically like, either give it to me

now or I don't want it. Like, that is what it means. And I think with that is a really great tone to set of like what I'm doing with my attitude and my personality, like the person I've created for this album. Very direct, very intentional, confident, proud, bold, fun, colourful. optimistic but opinionated. It's almost like I want to be ignorant, as in be proud of what I've done

and be the role of like the woman that I've earned to become. Yes. But not be arrogant with it. Yes. I think there's a really difference between those two. Yes. There's a world where you can be ignorant without being mean and having that sense of just not friendliness.

But what I think is amazing about you is that from, from really the press or stories and the coverage and we'll touch a little bit on this. Yeah, I mean you've been a... You've bridled me many times. Yeah, during filmings. It's that people have got the wrong idea about you

from stories that... They have, yeah. ...are aren't correct. And over the years... You can't kind of reply. You have no right to reply, because if you do, it fuels the fire. Yes, correct.

And then it stays a story forever. And then it's interesting, because I'm like, which story? You know what I mean? There's so many different. I feel like I've had so many lives within the press. Like I've had moments of pure joy and bliss. I've had moments of like complete shredding me, you know,

tearing me to parts and into pieces. And then they love me again. I mean, you never really know the mood, I would say that the press, especially in the UK, are in. But now living abroad a bit more, it's funny because it's definitely a bigger, brighter world out there than what you feel when, I don't know,

you're penalized in one, I would say, part of the world. And actually it doesn't really travel as much as you think it does. And that the same people show up to your shows and pay tickets for your concerts. And, you know, hearsay is one thing. But I think resilience and persevering through like anything and showing up for the people that I've had your back since, I don't know, 2012 for me, that stands the test of time.

You know, I've always heard that saying, actually, I watched this documentary, I don't know if you've seen it, with Monica Lewinsky. And she actually studies why bad press is so interesting to people. Like why, you know, things that are bad or something that someone's going through attract and sort of almost lifts your endorphins. Why? Because subconsciously they're just so happy that it's not them. Right?

Oh, thank God. It's not me. Yeah. A relief. It's that. How weird is that? I know. I thought that was interesting as well because underneath it all, the stigma of the word

selfish, you know, everyone finds like it's such an insult and things. But I do feel that we all as human beings have that within us because we, we care about ourselves, but that's not actually ultimately the bad thing. So I think so love ourselves and care about us. We should, obviously, to a certain degree, but not at other people's expense. Yes. But it's interesting how subconsciously everyone has that thought, even if you're not, even if you're a selfless person.

So, yeah, I thought that was very interesting. I mean, you just talked about people still showing up and still being there for you, but let's talk about your fans for a moment. Oh, they are so loyal. They are actually. What do they call the Rita bot? The Rita bot? Yeah.

They're now Rita older bots because I feel like I've grown up with them so much. Yeah. But I've made new ones with this film I've done and this kids movie that is unbelievable, how much it's opened me up to a whole new audience. Oh, isn't that lovely? But the Rita bots, I actually saw a few of them recently. I did a sort of free concert in King's Cross with this DJ. Do you know about him?

It's so cool. He's so cool. Yeah. And I love what he does. And he's done and has been doing this for so long. Yeah. And I feel like now suddenly people have discovered him, but he's been supporting sort of unsigned artists

and people like that've just needed a platform forever. And now we as, you know, whoever, like Will Smith was, doing the same day as me. And we ended up having a block party, like in the middle of Kings Cross. And I mean, I recognised nearly half of that audience. Because my fans that I remember from 2012 were all there. Like how... Got goosebumps.

I know. I mean... How amazing is that? Like, how lucky am I to have that core fan base? And I think that's because I did it in a time where it was still barely TikTok. I mean, no TikTok. I mean, I'm talking maybe just Twitter stuff. at the time. No streaming platforms. There was no Spotify. But actually, I think that's why they

showed up. And also I feel like your fans know you. Yeah. I think, yeah. They know who you are. They're not taking it from the papers or they see you in the flesh. You perform. And you give a lot of yourself. So I think I'm very grateful for coming out at the time that I did. And I do give a lot of myself. I feel like it's all or nothing in those moments. I've never met him. another celebrity with a work ethic like yours. You, no, you are amazing. And I feel like that's got to do with partly you coming here with your parents, you know, born in Kosovo, but came here as refugees in the late 90s.

Yeah, early 90s. Early 90s. I came. I was born. 1990 came here when I was once. Oh, so 1991. Yes, because the war ended in 1997, I think. Right.

Yeah. And you grew up watching your parents trying to start a new life. Yeah. All over again and how much that took. How much of an influence on you was that? I mean, everything. I mean, I can talk about them forever. But they did it with a smile on their face, like all the time.

They never brought the struggles. into our lives as kids. Like my sister and I were very close and I think it's because we only had each other to rely on while they were sort of balancing two jobs, two, three jobs at a time. My father, most of the time, as my mum was being a mum

and learning her to speak English and trying to redo her studies as a doctor. And I quickly talk about her for a moment. Love to you so much. No, absolutely. Actually, it's a bit worrying. Because I always say, like, you need to calm down.

But she adores just you and what you are an advocate for. And with everything, with menopause, which she got at a very early age from chemotherapy. Yes. You know, you've, you know, I mean, I don't need to tell you. And I think all your people listening know exactly who you are. But, yeah, my mom is an insanely strong woman. Because she was a doctor in Kosovo. Yeah.

And then had to leave. I mean, she was successful. She had a very good career. Yeah. had to leave everything behind. Yeah? And start from scratch, but learning a new language. I know.

In adulthood, which is really hard. Oh, I can only imagine. I try to learn a hello in any language I'm performing in. And I don't remember it by the time I'm on stage because of my adrenaline. And I've been studying it all day. I can only imagine what it's like to learn a whole new language with children. She's definitely a hardworking sort of we have to figure out. it out type of human. Like, there's no other choice. And I think that's probably why I do so much

because I don't have a plan B. You know, Steve Jobs has this very famous quote. It's, you know, if you have a plan B, you'll never really achieve your plan A. Right. Which I always remembered. That's so true. Because, you know, you always know you have a backup plan so you're not giving your all into what you really genuinely want to do. And my mom never had a plan B, you know, and I never had a plan B. So I don't know, I think that just, that sort of survival instinct, you would say, really just resonated with us. I think what's lovely about your parents is that, you know, you loved performing and you went to Sylvia Young. You know, you wanted to kind of do some theatre or you knew that's what you wanted to do. I went to a school which at the time, they didn't even know how they were going to pay for it.

You know, they were like, let's see if she gets in. And I did. And they were like, oh, shit, I was pretty good to need to figure this out. But they did. They made it work. And I think, you know, what's lovely is when parents, I started off wanting to be a singer and then I wanted to be a TV presenter. Neither of those jobs are the kind of jobs that parents go. Right.

But my parents did. My dad and my stepmom were like, you do you. Go, go, go. Like, go for it. And I worked in a restaurant and everything to keep going. But I'm just interested, you know, your parents fully supported your desire to perform. with a sense of reality checks here and there, but they never stopped me, you know,

when I had ideas or I was sort of paying my own way. I had a weekend job at the time when I was growing up. What was your weekend job? I was just selling trainers in a trainer shop in Portobello, which is very different now. It's very fancy now. Yeah, fancy pants. I look at it now.

I never was before. I walked down there the other day and I was like, what the... It's literally insane. It's like Oxford Street. Yeah. Anyway, so I'd use that money and I would, you know, go and buy CDs or clothes. There's anything to amplify my artistry, find really cool CD shops and hang out in them and meet other sort of record collectors and, you know, like rough trade and things like that. And then I would go to sort of underground raves and that's where I fell in love with the drag scene and all the sort of that community.

and they accepted me and actually it really got me into fashion to be honest they gave me their wigs and they would put me in crazy outfits and I would sweat so much they'd be like

oh it's all part of it it's all part of it and but that community made me feel like I was I could be an artist like I could be I could really do this for real and so then on the weekdays

I would work in a sneaker shop and be a intern in a recording studio to get free studio recording time because it was so expensive to want any demos. I mean, you know, you had your raving days. You would go and see artists perform on stage and trying to get recognized and literally like 3am and things like that. And so finally I got the moment to cut vocals and I did and then I would ship them out to labels and it finally fell into the right lap. Can I ask you something? How old were you

when you started doing all of that? Because I know you'd got some TV roles. You're got a TV film role when you were about 14. I did. Super young. But when did you get your first singing break? I was 16 when I had the ambition to like releasing when I left high school, secondary school. And I think my first real break was when I was turning 19 when I had my first record deal with Rock Nation in New York. How did that happen?

Because that's mega to go from kind of working in a recording studio to actually Jay-Z's record label in New York. Thinking back, I didn't realize how big of a deal it really was because I literally went from the trainer shop on the Sunday to getting on a flight to arriving in New York and being in front of the biggest superstars in the world. Were you with anyone? Were you with your mum? Did anybody come with you?

No, I had an assistant manager at the time that used to be a lawyer. So my lawyer that I still have sort of helped me, to be honest. They knew. Yeah, and introduced me to the right people that introduced me to the manager, but the lawyer really kind of took me under his wing at the time. And he was like, oh, I'll just send one of my associates

in case they try and have you sign something. And that was it. We went and I was just kind of like, what is happening? And within 48 hours, I was offered a record deal. Wow. Yes. At like midnight. I mean, that's the rap.

So mad, isn't it? Like, it was literally like what you see in straight out of Compton. I don't know if you've seen that film about Ice Cube and all of those guys. But it was literally like that. I went to the studio. It was like 1 a.m. I was just sort of like the kid from London thinking what is happening. Because it's quite hard to have a voice at that point.

You know, if somebody like Jay-Z is going, well, I think you should make this kind of music. Yeah, no, it was hard. But were you able to go actually know this is what I want to do? Not really. I didn't know really what the right thing was to say. I knew that I wanted to sing and I knew that they had the key to every door and I was just so excited

to just work with like the biggest musical sort of musicians, producers, writers I mean, you name it, like the world was my oyster and they really did help establish, I would say me as an artist to be honest. Like they helped me grow fast and discover who I was and introduced me to incredible people But the journey, I have to say, with its pluses, there was also a lot of struggles.

What were they? It was a very oversaturated industry and they had a lot of options with a lot of amazing artists. And it was sort of trying, fighting to be heard at some points, which you'll understand in the music industry, especially at that time, wasn't unusual. I think Ray's been incredibly vocal about her experiences. It's very similar. There's a lot of experience. like that, where you really have to fight for yourself. And even with all the love and support I had, I still didn't have a release date. You know, I still didn't have, okay, when can I put my first album out?

There was still no sort of commitments. We were just kind of recording. I mean, I must have recorded over 300 songs. I mean, I must have recorded so much music. I can't even tell you the right number, but wow. After a certain amount of time, I had advice to, you. to fly back to the UK and try and work with British people and my people that my manager at the time was looking after. And I thought, well, I've got nothing to lose. So I went back home. And how old were you at this point? How long had you been in America?

I was about 1920. Oh, sorry, no. I was about 20. I was in New York at least two years, turning 21, something like that. And the album had Aurora been released? No. Oh, wow. So you spent two years, recording 300 songs.

Probably, yeah. And it still hadn't come out. Yes. That's frustrating. Exactly. So I was very like kind of thinking why, what's going on. It's almost like they take you, try and record you and then park you so you don't interfere with other things they've got going on. And respectfully, you know, they probably had their own timeline of other things and things that they needed to accomplish.

I mean, I can't exactly tell you why. But I can tell you what I did, which was I flew back. and that's when I found DJ Fresh and the Hot Right Now song Which can I just tell you Which changed my life Thank you That really so good It still gets the crowd going

Give me a little bit You know you're only in it Because it's hot right now Hot right now turn it up Yes You'll always be a rava divina I am a rava You are forever

It's in my bones It's in my blood I love that about you That really But that pushed the needle And I think that's again Like I just I love that that must have been so magic.

You know, when you record something and you go, oh my God. Yeah, I didn't know that I was going to be so big to be. Did you not? No, I just thought it was such a raving, banging. I mean, I'm a club girl, so I thought, oh yeah, this will go down in the clubs, you know? I was like, yeah, okay, cool, yeah, people are going to dance to this. That's all I thought. I didn't think it was going to be like a charting, I mean, record.

Mega. It was like the, it was the first trauma-based record to ever go to number one, which is so crazy for the DJs, I feel like. That's a big accomplishment as a DJ. And that is what I think woke everyone up, like, really fast. Yeah, because that came out on your first album, right? Yeah, I mean, I had to go on the album. And that was like, oh, okay, she has a number one song in the country.

We're going to need to just now put out a single. And I think if I didn't do that, I don't know when I would have been it, when I would have put my things out. It's quite interesting that sliding doors moments where you... Yeah, but it's fighting. It's the fighting thing. It's what Ray's been trying to explain. It's what I feel like we're hearing more and more of really fighting to get your music out.

Even if you have a full record deal and you have like the whole label behind you, you're still like almost in the line of other artists. And if there's other artists more successful or generating more money than you at the time, you know, they'll just delay your project. And so you have to find a reason to like have them give you a committed. date and a timeline. Because obviously you're getting at this point more high profile. And it's such a love, hate thing with the press.

And I totally understand this, because we need the press. Yes, we do, we do. And as an artist, you've got to promote. You know, I know you've been doing press for your latest single. I have. You need to get it out there. But at the same time, I think they love me secretly. Yeah.

Well, I have this. feeling. I have a theory because I saw, I watched the Jade Goody, um, documentary and listening to the editors at the time saying, you know, there were conversations of like, look, we love Jade. She's really high profile at the moment. Um, we can get away with saying this. She'll be fine. Wow. You know what I mean? So they think, O'Reach is really doing well. She can take it. But this, this is a story that we've got. Do you know what I mean? Yeah. And you can't take them. down because you need them. But at the same time,

what was that like when it first started happening to you? I'm thinking fresh, Rita, really excited, record coming out. My first taste of feeling the bad side of fame was probably when they were really hounding down, you know, on my love life. Like my relationships. I mean, it was relentless. Everyone you dated. It was all.

In brackets, by the way, just because they're written down, doesn't mean that they're all true. Yes. Some of them that they wrote down. Coffee was someone. Some of them that they wrote down, I was like, I wish. You know what I mean? I was like, oh, that would be awesome. I can't even remember the names.

I don't even want to say it now. I've respect to my husband. But like, yes, of course. But like, love you, Taika. We love you, Taika. But actually, no, but that's the first time I felt like, oh, okay. Well, I guess what I'm doing isn't enough. And I was right.

So you read that. Yes. Oh, you need more from me. Yes. My music. You're not happy to just write about my music. And everything I was putting into it, like my music videos, the storytelling and my music videos, also the interviews, the honesty, the open book that I've always approached my career with. You know, that was and is a blessing, but it's also a curse because then they see, okay, well, she's this type of character. I'm sure she can handle this if we sort of go at her for a couple months. You know, I never really know how it works, but I think that is how it works. It comes in, I feel like they. pick like a time frame. And then they're just like, whatever happens, we need to just, you know, go for that one. And you can't come back. You can't come back and say something like I said earlier. And I just have tried and it never works in my favour. You know, when you comment on something, it opens the door and then everyone has opinions on the comment.

And I think that the, I would say the chicest way to do it is to just rise above and keep going. which has always been my motto. I've never focused on the negative of trying to explain myself. And that's also another thing. If you really, really need or know me, you would know what the real truth is of things. And I've always been the first to admit

when I've done something wrong, when something isn't right, or when I've made a mistake, or, you know, I have never lied and I never will lie to my fans or the public. And I think that, is something that's priceless. Like I think that trust and the vulnerability

and the humanness of me I think has really eventually now worked in my favour. I feel like it's taken a long time though. I feel like you've had... Yeah, you had a long time of having stuff thrown at you. I know. That was unfair.

It just felt like a lot and the pressure were there ever times where you just thought, actually, I don't know if I want to do it. this anymore? Was there ever time the way it made you think I just can't take the pressure? Totally. Yeah. All the time. I think I have real deep chats with my team in what is the point of it all in moments where I feel defeated and less than or I don't even know. There are so many times where I'm just like, I'm going to give up. I also never want to overshadow my

accomplish, I can never say the word, because I'm emotional now. I never want to overshadow what I've done because I'm so desperate to try and do something that I haven't done. That makes sense. Yeah. Because the desperation almost waters down all of your accomplishments. Yes. But it also, you forget what you've already done. And I think it's so tricky in this game to remember what you've done when you're doing something new. Yeah. Because that will make you walk into it, I would say, with a bit more ease and calmness. And this is me saying this out loud, because there's not all days I'm like this, you know, first day that my single came out, I mean, I was making 20 phone calls every second. Like, is this out? Is this, this, is, has this been done?

Is that been done? And, you know, I was very overwhelmed. I was also like, coming on my period or maybe came on my period that day. And I had a concert that day on in Washington, D.C. for Pride Month, which is usually like the best type of shows to do. But there was a lot of pressure that day of release. And, you know, I have a great team now. And she said to me, just trust the process. Like, you have a good team. Everyone is doing their best. And we're doing what we can. And you need to just let people do their jobs, which I thought was interesting. Because the micromanaging, I feel like, is what gets you.

It's exhausting. It's exhausting. But you don't know you're doing it in the moment. Sometimes you feel as if you're doing it because you have to. But, you know, it is exhausting to try and do everything. But it's part of the business. Like, I love my job. Like, I love this job.

It keeps me going. Like, it keeps my blood flowing. Like, so, you know. I think you can tell by how many things I do, how much I love working. I think I'm a healthy workaholic. This striving to do something different is quite interesting in you, that you'd never want to stand still and be the same. It's always got to be something different.

And it's almost like you're a phoenix, you know, you've come out of... Well, that was the name of my last album. Yes. Well, not the one. You've come out of your... out of your, I don't know, 20s. Yes. And you have blossomed into this woman.

I loved what you said about the new you being proud to be a sexy woman. Like own your appeal. Well, also the fact that I've earned, I think that's an important word. Like, it's so sad to say that us as well. women have to earn the rights to do certain things. I've always found that bizarre. And how have you earned it? Like what made you realize, oh, okay, I'm here. The confidence I gained from working and seeing the results. I think that's what gave me the confidence. Hard work equals yeah, results. And confidence, I feel like that's. You know, I never want to actually.

like my job is wholeheartedly who I am as a person, but does it give me a sense of confidence? Absolutely, because it makes me feel strong and that I've got something that I've done myself. And it could be as simple as, I don't know, anyone that's saying giving birth or writing a book or getting out of bed in the morning. Like that is an accomplishment. You know, don't compare your accomplishments to my accomplishments. You know, I think that's one thing that could be really poisonous for people. But I do. feel like we should be proud of those things that we do. And as a woman, like, I'm seeing it now with Sabrina Carpenter, like her being, you know, really attacked for being sexual and in her

skin. And I don't get it. It's also, like, so boring. It's such boring news. Like Madonna did it. Like, guys, at this point, if you still have a problem with it, it's really boring. I find it, like a sense of, you have to use what you believe in to express yourself. We're artists. Like, but also, like, isn't it okay to feel nice in your own body? Like, it's not even about you being an artist. Or being naked. Or being naked.

I feel great, like, in my body. Like, I'm sorry. Like, I'm not going to apologize for that. What I think is interesting in life is that we, as women, are expected to sort of stay. youthful, but actually it's only growing older that gives you the confidence to be in your own skin. It's like a double and trojan. What's the word? It's such a...

I can never say that. Double X sword? No, yes. No, there's a more complicated word. Do you know... There we go. Risa, I love you with the words. You know, it's a real thing.

You saw it on the show. It's a real thing. I've just got to say, I didn't mean to separate my legs like, yeah, darling. But this is a scort, everyone. I just want to let you know. But you know I have the words on it. It's in my head. Wait, do you remember? Do you remember the pigeon on the masked singer?

Pigeon. And you went, pigeon me this. And then Jonathan was like, what? And Joel went, no, that's not a thing. And you went, yes, riddle me this. Pige me this. And he was going, no, that isn't. It's just the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life. I called Joel.

I said, Joel, can you tell me something funny that Rita said. and he went pigeoned me this. Oh, Joel. He was like, she was great. She was so brilliant. You are brilliant. I mean, Derek's always called me. I call him all the time.

Really? He asks if you ever want to, you know, come back. Nice. You know, I really, I love doing TV. Yeah, well, I do, but it's definitely, it's just time. Where would you like your time well spent? And I just really wanted to focus on,

being creative again, you know, with my album and the films I've just wrapped on this year and I just wanted to spend time on that. But that doesn't mean to say, I'll never... Tell me about your films. Huh. I have a lot. Well, the Disney films, the Descendants, which is a huge kids franchise, has completely

changed my life, honestly. I'm a Disney princess, even though I'm evil, but it's okay. It's evil ones of the great ones, yeah, a bit more fun. Yeah, more fun. Oh, it just makes me feel like I'm, like, literally a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race. Because if you think about it, the drama of a villain really does stem from drag queens. Like, I'm so obsessed with watching Rupels. Like, when you see their movements and their body and their nails and their makeup,

like, it's all very similar to being a villain. Because a villain character is very layered. You know, they used to be good. They're not good anymore. Something's happened to them. PTSD. They're now evil. They want revenge.

Like, it's super layered. You can see, I've done character training. But I have so much love for villains. But doing that, I play a Queen of Hearts villain. And I've also just wrapped on a really exciting film called Voltron, which is a comic book. I don't know if you remember it. It's like five pilots that make one huge robot that save the world.

Oh, gosh. It's not a robot. It's like a lion. Lion-esque type. It's phenomenal sci-fi. I can't say too much on that. How exciting. But it's a big, it's a big.

movie and so I'm really excited about that. You know, it's interesting you're talking about descendants because, you know, you were talking about clubbing and being around where I think I was kind of clubbing at a similar time, 90s. No, actually, no, I was, you were in the naughties, I was

in the 90s of the best time. It was an amazing time. But like, so just gay, straight, like everybody was just in a huge melting pot together and clubbing brought us music, brought us all together. It was just like in your face.

It was mega. Wow. Yeah. Lucky. What is that? Who are you? Davina, it's me. Us from 2045.

Oh my God. We look fabulous. We're still going strong. We're still doing workouts. We're still glowing like a lava lamp at Glastow. Clearly. And I just really wanted to come back and say thank you. Thank you.

No, did we overcome Rogan and become number one podcast in the world? Yes, that did happen. But that's not why I'm here. I'm here to say thank you for taking Ancient and Brave's True Collagen every day for the last 20 years because... So that collagen scoop in my tea every day actually did work. You bet your glowing ass it did because when our collagen levels were supposed to drop, we supplemented with Ancient and Braves True Collagen. My new show sponsor.

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I don't want to quickly say anything. I want to talk about. Let's talk. It's me and you. You. And we've talked, we touched on going out with boys and how the press were like more interested in that basically. Yeah, they were for a while. Yes. And they do that a lot to women, I think.

And I think Jennifer Lopez has been a big inspiration to me for many reasons. Her work ethic, the fact that she does so many things. But I do relate to how much she also was focused. Her dating life was a very big part of her. Like, they focused a lot on that. And she still just worked through it and, like, kept her head held high. And, you know, I have so much respect for her. And I relate to that.

I've said this to her myself actually Is that, did she like that? Yeah, because I only think there's a certain few women that really understand that when you have that sort of attention that you don't want on that specific subject, you know, because a normal person, you can go and date who you want and no one will ever find out, you know. And it's different because you're still just trying to be a woman

and navigate your love life or you don't know who you like, what you like, You're going on dates, da-da-da-da. Like, it's what normal people do, but ours is just documented, I guess. Talking about that and it being documented, I do want to touch on this, but you have already said that it wasn't you. But Becky with the brown hair. Good hair, I mean, Becky with the... We've got to get it right.

Becky with the good hair. Becky with the good hair. Yeah. It was such a mad moment in your life. I don't even remember that. Oh, my God. You know why? Because I have, in my mind, I've had worse. Things have affected me worse than that. What affected you? Well, first of all, I'm going to finish this. Yes, because it wasn't real. It wasn't you. Of course not.

Absolutely not. I wish I had good hair. Can we start there? You've got grown. That's why I've got this hair care line out to help grow my hair out because my hair has been damaged since 2013 from all the styling and bleaching. So, but no, yeah, none of that was real. It was, and first time I experienced. It's like what it means to have, to be in like a messy situation, I guess. I mean, it was like pitting. It was pitting. Firstly, nobody wants, you don't want anybody to think that Beyonce is dissing you in a song. Right, but behind closed doors is literally my, like, fairy godmother.

She was the protector of, she was my protector. That's what's insane because there was nothing but love. You know, again, being signed to. Jay-Z, her husband, she being my biggest inspiration. She came to my first show in New York at the box. Wow. Beyonce. Wow.

And I sang, saying my name in front of Beyonce. This was when I was 21. I mean, yeah. Rita. Yeah. So I was actually genuinely upset because that's my big sister protector. She took it upon herself to really look after me. And I still see her.

And to this day, and she's always been so, so nice and proud and checking in on my family. I'm friends that I've had since childhood remembering their names. Like, I mean, it's crazy. And I was filming 50 Shades of Grey at the time. I remember I was in Vancouver. And I had, you know, a lot of lonely times because, you know, when you're on a film set, you're in the middle of nowhere and you'll go home to a hotel, blah, la. And I just was so confused.

And I was young. And I was like, what is happening? All of that was happening in the press while you were filming. And I was like, why is this happening to me? What have I done? You know, and I felt, I guess I get it now, the association and all of that. But when I saw each other at the Met Gala, we took a selfie and it was gone. Because actually, there was never anything there in the first place.

And that was a great album, by the way. It's one of my favorite Beyonce albums. But it's tough that. Yeah, that was. Navigating that. Yeah. And that was, I felt really. like, oh, gay, I guess this is what it feels like.

You said that wasn't even the worst, like what was? Well, no, not personally, no, because that wasn't real. That was more like a, what the hell is going on? What was an Israel is when I feel like my family are being affected. That's what's real. That's what bothers me. So any headline you can think of, it always trickles down to my parents because they are my parents. And I think that when you read something in the headline, you see a famous person, I don't think people realize like, oh gosh, she's got, she's got a mum, that mom's got a mum. You know, it's like a trickle effect. And psychologically, that does a lot to a person. And especially when you have to sort of, I don't know, your parents almost a little bit. Look up for your parents.

Yeah, to just remind them that it's not real life. and, you know, they have friends that ask them questions. I think that's what's kept me going, like, really having these two lives separate. Like, I genuinely don't see Rita Oro when I go home, like, at all. It's two completely different people. You know a lot of my personal friends. You know what I'm, like, behind the camera. Like, it really is lazy Rita.

Like, I just don't wear makeup. I love to exercise. I love to just, like, hang out with people who have grown up with my whole life. I did speak to a couple of people this morning. Did you? I spoke to Bullse. I spoke to Linda. And I said, you know, is there anything that you want to say about Rita?

And Linda said that the amazing thing about you is that no matter what, where you are in the world or what you're doing, if you're – I'm about to cry. If your friends need you, you're there. like you are the most solid, loyal person. And I think what's beautiful is that people don't always see that in you, you know. And that's who you are, your friends like. I really love hearing that. I make a real effort to stay connected to my friends and the people that I love. because I don't want them to feel like they don't have me

just because I'm physically not there. And I also feel it. But they do the same to me. You know, I can't just say it's just me. Like, they call me as well, hey, where are you? You know, it takes two, but like I genuinely like make a conscious effort to check in with people. because that's what I want from my friends.

I think it's quite a lonely place being as famous or as successful as you because people might not call you because they think she's too busy. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Or they might go, oh my God, she must have me back. Yeah, I can't believe you did that. No, I mean, I'm desperate for connection with the real ones. Like the people that know me, like really know me.

And we make holiday plans, you know, we're like, okay, we're doing this. We have to do this. We're all going to go and stay away together for a week. No interruption, catch up on everything. You know, it's a full plan, but it's something I really look forward to every year. You know, Ibitha being one of them, you know, I go there every year and I see all the same faces. And that is like my happy place too. reconnect with people and I will not negotiate on those dates.

I mean, your friends are super. I'd like to consider myself one of those. You are? You are. We are all super protective. I know. And obviously, you know, when I didn't really know you or know any boyfriends that you went out with. But it must have been quite special when you met Tyker for you, for everyone.

because he's your soulmate. Yeah. How did you meet? Oh, I'm so lucky. I just said it to him this morning because I couldn't sleep last. This is what I mean. I couldn't sleep last night. And it was like midnight and I was like sweating.

You know, and you know you have to wake up early and you can't really like sleep properly. And he was like, don't worry, darling. It's just sleep. You've done it once. You can do it again. And I'm like, he's like, don't value sleep so much, even though we do and we must. But in that moment, I really needed to hear that just so I could fall asleep. because I care so much about sleeping enough that sometimes you don't fall.

You worry, right? Then you worry. Then you're like stress. Then fight or flight. Yeah. Which is another obsession of mine, like the whole sleeping thing. But anyway, that's a different podcast. Yeah, but he's, but he is.

But he says the right things at the right time. He knows you. And so with all my experiences, it was a lot to do with people feeling uncomfortable with dating somebody, I guess, that other people know or that has attention. Well, that's really. really difficult, right? Being a famous woman and not intimidating a man is hard for them to not feel less than. Or just a successful woman, like, it's interesting. You'd be surprised how many people can't handle that, how many spouses really can't handle that. And it goes to their own insecurities,

obviously, that we can't help or fix, even though we think we can. But yeah, I think this was the first time I met someone who had none of that and had his own struggles so much so that there was no time for him to be insecure about other things. And that was so refreshing. You know, he's also coming from a very broken family and has his own story, which one day he can maybe share with you on this podcast. He'd love to come on. And he made his own success story from New Zealand and like both of our parents had breast cancer, you know, that's actually where we originally connected. How did that happen?

I think we met at a barbecue, a mutual friend invited us. Actually, Robert Patterson. Yes. Oh my God, that's a random. Bang. Drop. I know, name drop. But is the reason why I met Tyker.

Wow. I know. And I don't think I've ever thanked him for it. Thank you. because it was a genuine like, hey, we're going to a friend's house to have a barbecue. Like, I don't think that anyone thought anything of it. And so we get there. And we just kicked it off.

Like, I just, we sat there for hours in the sun, like, and then it went into nighttime, bottles of wine later. And we just didn't stop talking. And then we became friends for a very long time. How long were you friends for? Because that's so, such a special thing. I think that really four and a half years. Wow.

I know. I mean, we shared each other's relationship stories. We were at parties together where he was with a partner at the time. And I'm like, hey, nice to meet you. And, you know, I was like, you know how women love to go to the bathroom together? I was like, went to the bathroom with one of his girlfriends at the time. But with no agenda, right? Literally like, no agenda. Became best friends with them and like, you know, no agenda. It's just, I hate going to the, even to this day, I hate going to the day. I hate going to the. bathroom my own. I'd love a good chat when I'm going to the ballroom. Me too. I'm like the same. And so anyway, long story short, there was no plan, no agenda, there was no idea, no thought of anything. He likes to say that he always fancied me, but I never saw it, never even thought it. He was like, what do you mean? What about all those nights where I wanted to go home, but then I like stayed up with you and I was the last one at the party with you. There was that not a sign. I was like, no, I just thought you wanted to stay out like me.

He was like, no, I would rather have gone home. Now it makes sense. But then it all clicked, you know, I think. What was the moment? Because I love this idea. Yes, and you look at someone and it's like you've literally put on a new pair of glasses. That's it. And you go, oh, wow, you're hot.

So much happened in that time. I think it was timing. Like I just turned 30. I was really into changing my lifestyle. I wanted to really start working out. I was getting like super out of breath at my shows. And I needed to just fix my life up, you know, get on a good diet plan. And I remember that, Rita.

Do you? Yeah, because I remember you doing the Masked Singer and you turned up and I was like, Who's that? Look at the muscles. Like, you really got like so big. Well, you inspired me a lot like that. You do. You have such a great discipline in that.

world because it brings you joy and I needed that feeling and in here and I needed that feeling I was getting really smoky up here I wasn't enjoying my job and I love my job I'm like I'm doing my dream job what the hell why am I not happy that's when I discovered exercise you helped me a lot with that my mental well being sleeping well and prioritizing my sleep and that's when I found the space to find someone right and then I opened my lane and he walked through legs. I was like, I was going to go, wow, Rita, that's mega. Lash.

You are so funny. That would have been great comedic timing. Let's do that again. I opened my legs and I'm going to. And then I opened my mind to introducing myself to someone that has incredible gifts to give me. And that's when I... But I saw it.

I saw it. What's lovely is, because you'd known each other for four and a half years and you knew each other really well. Yeah, no, so... It was like... Like, you know, when you kissed him, it wasn't like you were kissing him and getting to know someone. It was like kissing your best friend.

Yeah. Like, what was that kiss like? It must have been electric. It was. But it was also like... Uh-oh. Oh, yeah. Oh, my God.

We're fucked. Yeah. Yeah. There was that. Because it was like, oh, no. If this doesn't work, we've ruined our friendship. That's what I felt like in my head. Yes.

Because I valued him so much as a friend and I loved him so much as a friend that when it just naturally happened, actually, right? It was at a birthday party dress up. I was literally dressed up as like a blueberry or something. I don't even remember. I was blue. I know that. I remember that. And he was dressed up as something.

So romantic. Oh, that's what. He was dressed up as like Rundi and. See, he had like an Adidas track suit on or something. Oh, God, I bet he looked really cool. He did. Yeah. He could carry that off.

And so, yeah, we just kissed. And then I was like, hold on. Please don't tell me, this is going to ruin our friendship? I'm begging you, is this going to ruin our friendship? I have red lips. By the way, red lipstick all over my face, trying to be serious. It was, he was like, do you know what you look like right now? And I was like, so we're fine?

He was like, shut up. And then it carried on. And then it was just, that was it. It was amazing after that. I've watched you two on television together in a documentary. Yeah, yeah. And that knowing you, the thing that I loved was I felt like it wasn't just about the friendship, but that because of where he's come from and where you've come from,

there is an unspoken understanding that is so deep like you get each other. on a profound level like, yeah, an understanding. It is exactly that. It's an unspoken language that we have, we don't even need to say it. So good. And that is when I knew that, you know, that thing of like when you know you know.

Yeah. I never believed it. Yeah. But isn't that funny? But I really do. And I think it is because of that friendship that we created. You just want your friend. When you do things like go to bed or go to a nice restaurant, like, you want to go with your best friend, you know, and all the looks and everything, you know, that's all going to go. And so it's also like what's left. And I see that in my parents. They've been married for over 30 years. And it's all about their experiences together now. And I loved that. And I love them so much when I see them. But what if you learned from your parents? That love is real. You just have to work through it.

be patient. You know, I'm not saying that they've had an easy road. They've probably had their own ups and downs. They've been very good at keeping that away from us kids. But, like, they made it through and now they have each other. Now we're all older. You know, they literally hang out together and go on holidays and, you know, they have each other. And so I think that's what I hope people can start to think about is, like, their future selves

and what they feel like they want to achieve when they're, like, old and gray. Yeah. Again, that's not how I was thinking when I was 20. But you only get there when you get older, don't you? So it is funny, but it's the way of life, isn't it? I'm definitely the happiest. Yeah, you see that. I've ever been.

And it's funny because I was terrified of getting older. I know. In my 20s. I still am. Yeah, well, I'm just here to tell you. Yeah, tell me. You're going to be fine. You're going to be more than fine.

You're going to be so happy, Rita. and you are happy now, but I think it's like content. I've definitely had a lot of tests so far in my, just my soul as a person with what I do and how much I've given out publicly that I'm almost a bit like, there's more. You know, it's like, what else do I need to survive almost? Like, I almost feel like I've done a lot. What's been the hardest point in your life, do you think, to navigate? Just the misconsumption I feel like people have had on me over the years or believing things that they've read or...

I don't know. I guess I just, I can't say that I don't care what people think of me because that's my job. I'm a public person. Of course I care. But would I let it? dictate who I am as a human? Absolutely not, because it's not who I am. But I do feel like I'll always have that element of care

because it's what my job is. I also feel like all of these problems that you've had thrown at you throughout your life. Even from, you know, when you moved here, I know you were only, what, like one. Yeah. But you will have been aware of what, was happening, you know, it's in you, even though you can't remember it. You were living it.

But everything you've been through, add all of those things up together, just makes you stronger. Yeah. I love you because you've always, always made me see the optimistic side of things. You're so good at that. And you've always helped me to understand that everything has a purpose. And it's almost like I sometimes fail to see the light at the end of the tunnel when I'm in it. And I think you have really helped me, like, see that, you know, this too shall pass. Everything has a purpose and a reason and you will be okay. And now I'm like, people are going to meet you now. Yeah.

Especially when I didn't think I was going to make it, you know. But I'm so lucky. I'm really blessed to have. Can I say something? The fans I have, you're not lucky. Yeah, you think so? You've fucking worked really. Oh, I know, yeah.

It's not luck. No, but it's hard work. Fortunate, maybe. You make your own luck. Yeah, you're right. Fortunate's a better word. But I have worked for every single thing I've got. And I think I've worked for these new opportunities I've got coming.

And I love the fact that I can say that I've got. damn well deserve it. Yeah. Well, and what a great place to get to, right? Yes. But you really mean that. I do mean that. You deserve it.

Yeah. And it's only the beginning. I'd like to quickly talk about something that I am. You are. Yes, yes. And that is a stepmom. Ah, I know. Isn't it cool?

And wait, I'm going to stay there. Stay there. Yeah. Show me. Stay there. I worry if you all just saw my bath. It's juicy. It's delicious.

Sorry. Sorry. Coming back. Oh, I know. Look. This is my stepmom. She became my stepmom when I was six. I don't know how old your stepdaughters were. They met me six, yeah. Yeah. Okay. So she's called Gabby. And she, I spent my whole life trying to make my mum, mother me. Oh. But Gabby was there the whole time being the perfect mother right under my nose. and maybe two years ago, year and a half ago, I put on a new pair of glasses with Gabby and I suddenly saw everything. I've always loved Gabby. I've always loved her.

Yeah, of course. Really falling in love with her in the last year and a half. Oh! Yeah. So let's put her there while we're having this convo. There you go, Gabby. Long. Will I get that?

The new glasses, no, I'm joking. What is interesting is that I've always loved Gabby and really appreciated the fact that I was a difficult teenager. Okay, yeah. Really difficult. And she stood by me through thick and thin. It's tricky. But what was, but I didn't, I didn't have a brilliant mum. My stepchildren have got a great mum and a great dad.

So they don't really need me to be a mother. And I know that you feel that as well. So can you just talk me through what it's like being a stepmom for you? It is so fun. I just have the best time with them because I'm like that fairy godmother that gives them all the sugar and all the ice cream. And then sends them back. And their mother who I love dearly is sort of like, they're bouncing off the wall. And I'm like, sorry.

But, you know, I think that's the fun part of being a stepmom. Like you can do those naughty things. And, you know, I take them out. And I took them to an Ed Shearron concert. Wow. I met Ed Shearer. And like, I was giving it all to these kids. I was very much like, I cared about making them feel like comfortable and safe.

And I wanted them to feel safe around me. And, you know, I love my partner so much. So it was just about creating a great environment for these kids to thrive. And now they're like, one's a teenager just turned. Wow. And she's got her phone. So now we're like texting. It's so cool.

And she's like, hey, miss you. I'm like, hey girl, miss you too. And it's just such a healthy. I'm very lucky. I've got really great stepkids. Like these girls are just the coolest kids ever, ever. And also, let's big up the mums. And big up.

Being able to have a good relationship, I think, with your stepkid's mum is mega. And I respect it and I understand it. And I appreciate it, you know, and to have that space to let me, you know, hang out with her kids it's i just i feel as if i mean i didn't get a book there was no one teaching me on how to be a stepmom i don't think i know there's probably books out there and things but there's a lot you're navigating you as a stepmom what does that mean you with the kids you with the mother you know you understanding the dynamic you know i'm not professional but i definitely feel like i was lucky and i did it the right way i know that it may not be as easy

for others. So, yeah. Yeah, I mean, it's a complicated, it's a complicated journey for lots of people. Yeah. But it's a very fulfilling one, I think. Oh, yeah. And when they just kind of give you that one hug, you're like, yeah. Yeah. I just quickly want to say how nice it is seeing you and Tyca. I just can't quite get over it.

It's just the loveliest feeling, isn't it? Hugh and Michael, it's like, I'm so lucky. I love him so much. I said that a lot this podcast. Let's take that back. I mean, I am lucky for him. But, you know, there are some things you're right. You've really made me look at it different. It's not really about luck. It's like you manifest what you want in your life.

And you go and you get it. Well, this is something else I wanted to talk to you about was that, is it true? I was like, oh my God, how did I not know this that you proposed? Oh, yeah. Absolutely. I didn't know. I think, didn't I not tell you that? No.

This is a thing. Like, I, well, when we were together working, yeah, we were working. I wasn't, I wasn't even supposed to know that you'd got married and you were kind of, I got married. Yeah. It was like a side mouth thing. We had, got married, don't tell you.

And you were miced up and everything, so, oh, yeah, because it wasn't public yet. Oh, yeah. I went, I got it. I did it. I asked him to marry me. So how did you do it? Did you do it like a proposal? Yeah.

Oh, God the rings made. I want to know everything. Huh. Well, I got the. the bands made. I didn't want anything too flashy. I got some bands made that have something really personal attached to them inside that only we know about. And I just did the whole thing. We were in L.A. I rented out like a hotel room in Palm Springs or something. Like a really nice fancy one. Filled it up with balloons and cake, which is my favorite thing in the world.

Obviously, balloons and cake. Why wouldn't you? And heart shaped balloons. and a hot-shaped, wait, okay? Because I'm basically doing what I would have wanted for my, for my, for my, for my, for my, because if balloons weren't enough, to get the cake, and the driver with the, like, cans, like the movies, and we didn't even get to the car. It was a waste of money, the car bit. Oh, right, okay.

But, yeah, so I'm how old. Heart-shaped balloons. I'm holding the cake. I don't know why I'm moving the cake. Like, holding a bloody cake. And I'm like... And the balloons are like all around us. And I'm like...

He's got no idea. He's walking in. Yeah, he walks into the room and he's like, what the hell is a Valentine's Day? I'm like, no! Anyway, get down on one knee. You got down on one knee. Yeah.

Oh my God. This is so good. Yeah, I think it's cool. This is girl power. That's what I mean. I've always been a huge... Oh, sorry, baby. We're getting excited.

Rob feet, Rob feet. I always get so excited for just, like, doing things out of the norm. You've always been like that. Yeah, and I like... In the way you dress, in the way you perform, like, everything. I break down dreams. I don't want to be boring. I like to keep things as a surprise.

Yeah, and Tyca doesn't know what's coming. And Tyker doesn't know what's coming. And there's nobody more than Tyker that absolutely loved it. Loved every minute of it. He's a Leo, so it's all about him. And was he laughing? He was just like, what? It's happening.

And I was like, oh, no. If you're going to say no, I'm going to have to take my clothes off and do it. But you knew he wasn't going to say no, right? I actually didn't. I didn't know. Really? No. I didn't know.

You've got the thing? Yeah, I know we have the thing. But like, he has his own story with his experiences in that sense. And so I was very like, maybe he doesn't want it. You know, maybe he's okay to just be in a relationship, which was fine with me too. But I just wanted. wanted to like lock him down, lock it down. You know what I mean?

And I did. And he said absolutely, what the hell get up? And I was like, oh my God. And from then on it was, I think, just a couple months. And then we got married, just at home. It was beautiful. And who came? Sorry, am I?

No, it's fine. I've spoken about it. Okay, okay. He's stepkids. And that's it. My parents were on Zoom. Oh. I know, poor parents, but we've always promised them a huge party,

which we still will do. Yes. Maybe that will be this year, and I'll be there. Yes, yes. Oh, I've got to send you the invite. Yes. It's a big one. Great.

Yeah, yeah. I'm going on camera. It's really fun. You talked a bit about being really excited about your future. Yeah. What are your dreams? Oh, Davina. I want to do a lot more movies.

I love film. And I think my husband's become a big part of that for me. He's opened my eyes up to, some incredible films, more movies, a lovely, great album, a great tour. And yeah, then maybe a family. We'll see how we feel. You've always told me, I know, this is going to make you cry.

Right. I know. You're always like, oh, you just have one. I will. Can I just say something, Rita? Do it. You will be a great mom. I know.

That's why I want to time it right. And everyone tells me, you can't time these things. things and blah blah blah your kid deserves you but also deserves my time so i want to make sure that you will make time really rita there is never a right time to have a baby everyone's have a baby i haven't really thought about it honestly that's the truth i haven't thought about it i've been so focused on working but my mother just recently reminded me and i was like oh yeah i think again when the time is right but it's something that i can see that's one of thing I wanted to talk to you about. You just talked about your mum. And I wanted to

quickly just ask you, because I know she had breast cancer. I know she's been clear for a very long time, but I know that that gave you a bit of a real fear about dying. Oh, yeah, hypochondria. Yeah. So can you just talk me through what that was like? It was tough. It was tough seeing something that you believe has always, and always going to be there, just sort of like crumble in front of you, you know, even when you were a kid, I was a teenager. age I was 13 and so I was very confused. I wanted to be with her all the time but she wanted me to go to school. You know, again, I was going to a really great school so that they were paying for amongst all of the treatments that she was doing and, you know, it was a really hard time for them, my parents.

And it's insane that the ratings and the percentages of breast cancer and that definitely got me worried and checked and going to get my checks regularly and it kind of trickled into my whole health, I guess, because I was definitely seeing the whole experience with my mother. I definitely wanted to be there for her, so I didn't realize actually that that was a thing until I started therapy. I was like, oh, maybe I'm going to the doctors too many times. But I do believe that that is the reason, because I saw that happen and that whole, you know, treatment process. She still feels that way too when she gets her checkups. Yes, I mean, scanxiety is a thing.

It's a real... It's a real... ...about that with people with cancer, they go back and... You know, you have to always have your regular checkups, and my mother always has that fear just during that period of what if, and of course, that's PTSD. God knows what that must have felt like to go through it, but... Yeah, it's a never-ending, I think, fear that will happen when you have that one life-changing experience, as you know. And Elena.

Elena! I just want to quickly finish on Elena. Yeah, my thing to mean to you because she's been such an integral part of, I don't know, protecting you in a way or through your life. Yes. And keeping, well, helping you feel safe, it feels like. Yeah. She's my older sister. She has given me a lot.

of her life and her time and sacrificed a lot for me, as I have for her. You know, we've definitely helped each other out. We've basically built a brand together, you know, from nothing. And I really want her now to know I'm really grateful and I love her. And, you know, I'm always going to be there for her just like she is for me. Well, Rita, I just want to say, we've put it out to the universe. We've manifested more movies. I know more movies.

We've manifested a marvellous, brilliant album. And tour. A fantastic tour. Yes. So please, Universe, you just listen, okay? And let's do that. And let's let the rest of the Universal handle. Yeah, exactly.

And babies! Here she goes for aita. Love you. I love you. Thank you. I love you anytime. And I'm so proud of you. I love you so much.