On Friday, Ms. Rita Ora, aged 34, was seen utilizing the New York City subway system while exploring the borough of Brooklyn. During the outing, she wore a sheer, long-sleeved white top layered over a coordinating bralette, which accentuated her toned midriff. The singer appeared to engage positively with the experience of traveling via public transportation.
While navigating Brooklyn, Ms. Rita Ora opted for a relaxed ensemble consisting of light blue, low-rise flared jeans and black flip-flops. She complemented her outfit with a large black Hermès handbag, adding a subtle element of sophistication to her casual look.
For accessories, Ms. Ora selected a distinctive metal ring and a pair of black-tinted sunglasses. In a caption accompanying an Instagram post documenting her excursion, she wrote, “Brooklyn Bridge 9pm.” At one point during her travels, she was seen retrieving hand wipes from her designer handbag.
In a recent interview on Davina McCall’s Begin Again podcast, Ms. Ora addressed longstanding public speculation linking her to lyrics from Beyoncé’s 2016 album Lemonade. The track Sorry referenced a character colloquially referred to as “Becky with the good hair,” which prompted widespread conjecture regarding the identity of the individual referenced.
Ms. Ora, who was signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label during that period, found herself the subject of unfounded accusations alleging an affair with Mr. Carter (Jay-Z). She has consistently denied any such involvement. Reflecting on the ordeal, she expressed deep personal distress over the speculation, particularly given her longstanding positive relationship with Beyoncé.
She described the global superstar as a supportive figure, stating: “Behind closed doors, [Beyoncé] is literally my fairy godmother—she was my protector. That’s what’s insane, because there was nothing but love.”
Ms. Ora further elaborated on the emotional impact of the speculation linking her to the “Becky with the good hair” lyric from Beyoncé’s 2016 Lemonade album. She recalled her longstanding admiration for Beyoncé, noting that the singer attended her first New York performance at The Box, during which Ms. Ora, then 21 years old, performed “Say My Name” in Beyoncé’s presence. She emphasized the significance of that moment, given her deep respect for Beyoncé and her professional affiliation with Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by Beyoncé’s spouse, Mr. Shawn Carter (Jay-Z).
Ms. Ora described feeling “genuinely upset” and “confused” by the media storm, reiterating that Beyoncé has served as a mentor figure akin to a “big sister,” providing guidance and support throughout her career. She confirmed that their relationship remains amicable and that she continues to see Beyoncé regularly. Reaffirming her denial of any romantic involvement with Mr. Carter, Ms. Ora stated unequivocally, “It wasn’t real,” and, with self-deprecating humor, added, “I wish I had good hair.”
She characterized the episode as her first exposure to the complexities of public scrutiny and misinformation, remarking: “That was the first time I experienced what it means to be in a messy situation, I guess.”
Ms. Ora, who has been married to filmmaker Mr. Taika Waititi since 2022, referenced a photograph taken with Beyoncé at the 2016 Met Gala as symbolic closure to the speculation, remarking, “Then it was gone—because there was never anything there in the first place.”
This is not the first occasion on which Ms. Ora has publicly addressed the controversy. In a 2022 appearance on Louis Theroux’s podcast, she similarly denied any connection to the “Becky” narrative. The speculation originally intensified in April 2016 after Ms. Ora posted an image to Snapchat in which she wore a lemon-patterned bra and a necklace bearing what was perceived to be the initial “J,” which some individuals interpreted as a reference to Mr. Carter.#newsafro_
