Rita Ora Clears the Air: Addressing Throuple Rumors with Taika Waititi and Tessa Thompson, Plus Her Journey to Love and Fame

In the often-intense spotlight of celebrity life, few things ignite public conversation quite like speculative romance. For global pop superstar Rita Ora, the spring of 2021 brought a particularly viral moment when photos emerged showing her getting cozy with her now-husband, filmmaker Taika Waititi, and actress Tessa Thompson. The images, capturing a playful and intimate moment in Sydney, Australia, immediately sparked rumors of a “throuple” – a polyamorous relationship involving three people. Nearly two years after the initial buzz, Ora, 32, has finally broken her silence on the widespread speculation, revealing why she chose to “not acknowledge” the talk at the time and setting the record straight on what truly transpired.

Speaking candidly in an interview with GQ, Rita Ora dismissed the entire “throuple” narrative as “ridiculous.” Her explanation painted a picture far removed from the sensational headlines, attributing the perceived intimacy to a simple, alcohol-fueled night out among friends. “Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve had a lot of drinks, and everyone’s your best friend?” she queried, drawing a relatable parallel to the fleeting connections made in social settings. “And then the next day, you’re like, ‘I was talking to this person in the smoking area for four hours, and I’ve got no idea who they are?’” According to Ora, the widely circulated photos were nothing more than “just a bunch of friends having a good time.” She emphasized that both Taika and Tessa were navigating “a crazy schedule” at the time, and the gathering was an opportunity for everyone to “let loose.” Her concluding sentiment on the matter, “I love that. Each to their own,” underscored her personal philosophy of living life freely and without judgment, even when faced with intense public scrutiny.

The public fascination with Rita Ora’s romantic life, and indeed the lives of many celebrities, often comes with a significant toll. Taika Waititi, 47, and Rita formalized their bond in August 2022, entering into marriage amidst the lingering whispers and constant media attention surrounding their relationship. This level of public scrutiny, Ora confided to GQ, has led to moments where it has felt “unbearable.” Such intense examination of one’s personal life can understandably prompt moments of doubt, causing celebrities to question whether the immense pressure is truly “worth it.” Yet, Ora’s dedication to her craft and her dreams remains steadfast. She articulated the struggle of balancing her personal well-being with her professional aspirations, stating, “But you don’t want to give up your dream and everything you’ve done to get to this point for a moment in time that will eventually just move on.” Her resilient mindset emphasizes the importance of not “bit[ing] the bait and ruin[ing] everything you’re doing.” For Rita, who often describes her career as “the dream job” and acknowledges the sheer “insane” reality of singing for a living, stepping away from her passion is simply not an option, even when navigating the unique challenges of a life lived so publicly.

Beyond addressing the viral photos, Rita Ora also shed light on the beautiful evolution of her relationship with the acclaimed What We Do In The Shadows director, Taika Waititi. Their love story, she revealed, didn’t ignite overnight but rather blossomed from a deep-rooted friendship spanning six years. The pivotal moment, she recalled, occurred when she traveled to Australia for work. Taika was also there for separate professional commitments, and the vast continent felt less daunting with a familiar face nearby. “We didn’t really know that many people out there,” she explained, highlighting the comfort of their established connection. It was in this shared, yet foreign, environment that their universes “just collided,” fostering a bond that transcended friendship. The realization that Taika was “the one” for her wasn’t a dramatic epiphany, but a subtle, profound shift. She simply observed that her life “just became better,” a testament to the quiet strength and positive influence he brought into her world. This organic progression from platonic companionship to a life-changing romantic partnership offers a deeper understanding of the genuine connection that underpins their marriage, making the earlier “throuple” rumors all the more incongruous with their personal narrative.

Interestingly, Rita Ora isn’t the only one who has weighed in on the infamous “throuple” photos. Taika Waititi himself addressed the situation in a July 2021 interview withThe Sydney Morning Herald, offering his perspective with a characteristic laid-back attitude. When directly asked whether the photos had caused him any distress or concern, the celebrated director simply shrugged off the notion. “Not really,” he stated, reflecting a pragmatic view on internet virality. His rationale was rooted in the ephemeral nature of online discourse: “I think in the world of the internet, everything goes away pretty quick.” He further minimized the incident, asserting that he perceived no wrongdoing in their actions. “I was doing nothing wrong. It’s fine,” he concluded, reinforcing the idea that the moment was a harmless interaction among friends, blown out of proportion by the ever-hungry media cycle. This shared sentiment from both Rita and Taika provides a consistent narrative, emphasizing the casual and innocent context of the photos that had captivated so many.

The “throuple” photos weren’t the only instance where Rita Ora found herself at the center of widespread, and often misinformed, public speculation. Shortly before clarifying the Taika/Tessa situation, she also used a prominent platform to finally put to rest a long-standing rumor that had shadowed her for years: the assertion that she was “Becky with the good hair” – the mysterious other woman referenced in Beyoncé’s critically acclaimed 2016 album, Lemonade. The origin of this particular rumor was a seemingly innocuous Snapchat clip Ora shared in 2016. In the clip, she was seen wearing a lemon-printed bikini top with a front snap that, to many eagle-eyed members of the “Beyhive” (Beyoncé’s dedicated fanbase), appeared to resemble the letter “J,” leading to the assumption it stood for Beyoncé’s husband, Jay-Z.

Addressing this persistent claim on the Louis Theroux Interviewspodcast, Rita Ora expressed her disbelief at how a simple fashion choice could snowball into such a significant controversy. “Oh my god, it literally was a coincidence,” she exclaimed, explaining the simple misunderstanding. She clarified that the snap was not, in fact, a “J” at all, but rather an “R” for Rita, which had been inadvertently “flipped ’round” in the photo or video, making it appear as a “J.” The widespread nature of the “Becky” speculation meant that Ora had to “just sit through that” period of intense public scrutiny, unable to effectively counter the narrative until much later. The humor in the situation, however, was eventually provided by a good friend, fellow pop star Katy Perry, who gifted Rita a hilarious badge that simply read “not Becky.” This lighthearted gesture not only provided a moment of levity but also served as a definitive, albeit unofficial, declaration of Ora’s innocence in the “Becky” saga. From navigating misconstrued PDA to clearing her name in one of pop culture’s biggest mysteries, Rita Ora’s journey in the public eye continues to be a testament to her resilience and her unwavering commitment to her art, all while maintaining her unique and open approach to life.