British singer-songwriter, actress, and producer Rita Ora made a memorable appearance at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where she joined Deadline’s studio for an in-depth conversation about her ambitious new projects. Best known for chart-topping hits like “R.I.P.” and “Anywhere,” Ora is expanding her creative footprint into theater and Disney storytelling. Two major upcoming works were the focus of the talk: the irreverent stage musical Fyre Fest The Musical, co-produced with her husband, Oscar-winning director Taika Waititi, and her reprisal of the villainous Queen of Hearts in the Disney franchise The Descendants: Wicked Wonderland.
A Musical Comedy Born from Infamy
Ora revealed that Fyre Fest The Musical is a stage musical comedy centered on the catastrophic 2017 Fyre Festival, a luxury music festival that famously turned into a disastrous scam, leaving attendees stranded on a Bahamian island. The festival’s founder, Billy McFarland, served prison time for fraud. The musical’s creative team is impressive: “Skyfall” songwriter Paul Epworth is composing the score, The Pirates of Somalia director Bryan Buckley is writing the book and directing, and Hamilton set designer David Korins is crafting the visual world. Ora herself was nearly a performer at the real festival, a detail that adds personal resonance. “The reception we got when we announced it was so surprising,” Ora said. “We wondered ‘What are people going to think of this?’ But we knew that we loved the story. I was actually a part of the ‘Should I go? Should I not go?’ as a performer. What’s interesting is that journey and understanding the importance of how far will individuals go to want to be a part of something. The psychology behind that whole thing was interesting for us. With my husband’s humor and his filmmaking, and my music background, we were just like ‘Let’s see what happens.'”
London vs. Broadway: A Homecoming in the West End?
When asked about the musical’s eventual stage debut, Ora was coy but teased a potential London launch. “Who knows that it won’t start in London? I’m an English girl, you know. The West End is what I know but I love Broadway too. It depends where the energy sits once the project is finalized,” she said. This aligns with her deep roots in the UK entertainment scene. Ora, born in Pristina, Kosovo, and raised in London, first gained fame as a featured vocalist on hits like DJ Fresh’s “Hot Right Now” before launching her own successful music career. Her connection to London’s West End is authentic; she has performed at major venues and even served as a coach on The Voice UK. The choice of London would also offer a fresh take on the Fyre Festival narrative, which is often seen through an American lens.
Returning to Wonderland: The Queen of Hearts
Ora is also gearing up to reprise her role as the Queen of Hearts in The Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, the fourth installment of Disney’s popular Descendants franchise, which reimagines the children of classic Disney villains. “It’s such an iconic role. Helena Bonham Carter and so many women have played it. I really wanted to come from a different perspective and so, to have my version of it, it’s really cool,” Ora explained. She first portrayed the Queen of Hearts in the 2024 television film Descendants: The Rise of Red. In the new film, she shares the screen with Brandy Norwood, who plays Cinderella and has been a longtime idol. “Brandy, who plays Cinderella, is my idol musically on and off screen. I’m happy to be a part of this big project,” Ora said. The Descendants franchise has been a massive hit among young audiences, blending music, magic, and moral lessons. Ora’s Queen of Hearts brings a pop-star energy to the tyrannical ruler, and she has hinted at new songs in the upcoming film.
Rita Ora’s Multifaceted Career
Beyond these two headline projects, Ora’s career is a tapestry of music, fashion, and acting. She released her debut album Ora in 2012, which topped the UK charts and spawned hits like “How We Do (Party).” Her second album, Phoenix (2018), included the global smash “Let You Love Me.” She has also acted in films such as Fifty Shades of Grey (as Mia Grey) and the 2023 thriller Wonderwell. On television, she has appeared in The X Factor (as a guest judge) and America’s Next Top Model. In 2021, she married Taika Waititi, the New Zealand director behind Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit, and Our Flag Means Death. Waititi’s irreverent comedic style is likely to influence Fyre Fest The Musical, as Ora acknowledged. The couple’s collaboration is a natural fusion of their talents: Ora’s pop sensibility and Waititi’s sharp satire.
The Enduring Fascination with Fyre Festival
The Fyre Festival has become a cultural touchstone for hubris and social media deception. Documentaries like Netflix’s Fyre and Hulu’s Fyre Fraud have dissected the scandal, which involved influencers like Kendall Jenner and models promoting an event that had no infrastructure. The musical, by contrast, takes a comedic approach. Ora’s involvement as a performer who almost attended adds a meta-layer: “Should I go? Should I not go?” she recalls. The psychological pull of being part of an exclusive event—even a fake one—is a theme she finds ripe for exploration. With Paul Epworth’s score (he won an Oscar for Adele’s “Skyfall”) and Bryan Buckley’s directorial experience (his short film Witness was Oscar-nominated), the musical aims to balance humor with insight.
Behind the Scenes of the Fyre Fest Musical
During the interview, Ora emphasized that the project is still in development but moving quickly. “We’re in the room with some incredible people,” she said. “Paul’s music is phenomenal, Bryan’s vision is sharp, and David’s sets are going to blow everyone away.” She also teased that the show would feature original songs that capture the absurdity and desperation of the festival-goers. The musical’s narrative will follow Billy McFarland’s rise and fall, but also the experiences of attendees and workers. Ora and Waititi’s production company, Piki Films, is behind the project. Waititi, who won an Academy Award for Jojo Rabbit, brings a reputation for blending dark humor with heart—a perfect fit for a story about a luxury disaster.
Descendants: A Wicked Wonderland Awaits
In The Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, Ora steps further into the role of Queen of Hearts, a character first introduced in The Rise of Red. That film saw her daughter Red (played by Kylie Cantrall) team up with the daughter of Cinderella to prevent a coup. The new installment promises more musical numbers and deeper exploration of Wonderland. Ora recorded original songs for the film, blending her pop style with Disney’s theatrical tradition. Working with Brandy, who famously played Cinderella in the 1997 TV movie, has been a highlight. “She’s a legend,” Ora said. “Singing with her was surreal.” The Descendants franchise has sold millions of records and attracted a loyal fanbase, and Ora’s role as a villain is a fan favorite.
Looking Ahead
With the Red Sea Film Festival providing a global platform, Ora’s announcements have generated significant buzz. She also hinted at new music on the horizon, though she kept details under wraps. For now, her focus remains on bringing Fyre Fest The Musical to life and enchanting audiences as the Queen of Hearts. “I’ve never been more excited about a project,” she said. “Both of these feel like the right challenges at the right time.” As her career continues to evolve, Rita Ora is proving she can navigate the worlds of pop music, film, television, and theater with equal flair.
Source: Deadline News