Rita “American Takeover-er” Ora covers Elle Canada’s February Issue. I love the fashion in the editorial, but it’s 70s/80s influenced so it speaks to me – you can see it here. Rita has a dynamite body and I love her new short spikey do. I mention the hair because in the interview she is waffling about wearing short or long hair to meet someone and I am sure my opinion will matter to her.

Rita is always game to tell you how amazing Rita is, which makes my job much easier. Although Rita is one of the many eye-roll exercises I perform regularly, I don’t have a problem with her hustle. I love to watch a good hustle. Generally, I prefer a good hustle with something worth hustling behind it but Rita has her thing:

Ora worked tirelessly on creating a brand that centres on—you guessed it—connection. “It has always been a dream of mine to create this cult,” she says. “Back in the day, when punk was a lifestyle, people used to gather in under­ground raves and punk out. I know it’s different now because everything is so much more exposed. But even if it’s only 10 people, it’s my movement.”

When asked how she has changed the most since being signed by Jay Z and releasing that first album, the conversation quickly turns to fame. “I wonder what makes everyone so interested in me,” ponders Ora. “It has made me really think about every move I make; it has made me more self-conscious. I always wanted the attention, but then when I started to get it, it made me second-guess everything.”

Since 2012, Ora’s follow-up album has been imminent, but it was held up for unknown reasons. “I just haven’t been prepared to put it out, and that’s the truth. But I’m happy that I delayed the album because otherwise I don’t think the people who haven’t heard my music would have the right impression of me because that isn’t who I am.”

[From Elle Canada]

To me, forming a cult from scratch is a bit ambitious. Maybe start with a coffee circle, grow into a book club and expand into a happy hour crowd that eventually evolves into your cult; don’t sprint out of the gate. Props to her for owning the fact she wanted the fame; she may overestimate our interest in her but she is never going to pretend she isn’t chasing it like a $20 bill caught in the wind.

As for the mythical album, it has been promised for 3 years. This album will be a reintroduction to Rita and her music. It’s not that the album isn’t finished; she just hasn’t released it yet… *Deep breath* Here’s the thing, it’s okay to have an album delayed or cultivated or germinating alongside your underground Book Club Cult but hyping it as a “reintroduction” is a rocky slope. Rita has released two songs since Ora and although there is some deviation from sugary pop, the pervasive drumbeat is in the background and the up-beat still wins out – she didn’t go dark, just sepia.

Note by Celebitchy: Rita has sued Jay-Z’s Roc Nation record label in an attempt to get out of her contract, which has been in force for seven years. Her lawsuit states that they have lost interest in her due to management changes and that she is footing the bill for her own promotion. You can read more here.