Ever wondered what songs have shaped the life of platinum artist Rita Ora? Let our February 2022 cover star tell you while jamming to her favorite tunes on set. After wrapping up the cover spread in a series of high fashion looks courtesy of Versace, Giorgio Armani, Prada, and more, the singer gets further into her element and opens up on a topic close to her heart: music.
As the nostalgia-inducing beats of George Michael’s ‘Freedom’ hit her ears, Ora points out that it was one of her favorites before sharing a cherished memory. “I actually performed this song in front of Donatella Versace at the British Fashion Awards and I was wearing head-to-toe Versace like I’m doing right now, can I add?” Next up, is the chart-topping ‘Heart of Glass’ by Blondie led by vocalist Debbie Harry, which the star reveals is her fashion icon. She adds, “She represents attitude. She was the movement.”
Bopping her head to Michael Jackson as one does, the singer-songwriter holds up her phone playing the music video of another favorite: ‘In The Closet’ starring supermodel Naomi Campbell. “It’s just so beautifully done, [it’s] black and white, and it just made them both look so strong and powerful,” says the 31-year-old. “When I first saw it, I couldn’t get it out of my mind.” Many can relate to Ora on her next loved song, which is the iconic ‘Purple Rain’ by Prince. “It has every part of emotion it needs for it to achieve its goal, which is to touch people; that’s what this song is,” says a sentimental Ora. “It’s the best connector, I think. [It] brings people together, and I think that is just beautiful.” Finally, gushing over the voice behind her next favorite, ‘Honey’, the singer shares, “I love Mariah Carey. That video was epic. It was just cool to be like the woman amongst all these amazing rappers, and to be able to stand on her own two feet and just also be herself. It was amazing.”
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