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Rita Ora’s husband Taika Waititi has revealed that actor Robert Pattinson played matchmaker by proposing to them for the first time, sparking a friendship that blossomed into romance.
The director, who married the singer earlier this year, shared that he knew the Hot Right Now hitmaker for three years before they started dating in 2021.
Speaking during Louis Theroux’s Interviews series. Taika said that his and Rita’s relationship works because they were “best friends” before their romance blossomed.
Cozy: Rita Ora’s husband Taika Waititi has revealed that actor Robert Pattinson played matchmaker by proposing to them for the first time
When asked about their first meeting, Taika told Louis, “We’ve actually known each other for years, before we got together.
“Everyone thinks we met in Australia last year. Do you know who brought her to my house? Robert Pattinson. He persuaded her.
‘I had a little barbeque and we just got talking, we hit it off, we became friends. Then for years, for the next three and a half years, we were just good buddies.
Setting up the stage! The director revealed that Robert (pictured in 2019) brought Rita to his house where they ‘hit it off’, and he and the singer were friends for three years before dating
Happier than ever! The romance between Rita and Taika came to light in 2021 and earlier this year it was reported that the pair were married (pictured earlier this month)
Candid: Taika spoke to Louis Theroux during his Interviews series and explained: ‘We’ve actually known each other for years, before we got together’
“We had several relationships, and every time we hung out, we picked up where we left off, and it was a good friendship, and we decided to screw it all up.
“I just love the fact that we work hard, and we both have our own jobs and are independent, but are also best friends.
“We are from different parts of the world, she is from Kosovo and I am from New Zealand, they are very far away, but our backgrounds were quite similar.
“We both grew up poor in working-class families her dad had pubs and she hung out in pubs a lot when she was a kid and my mum worked in pubs and a lot of my family like to be in pubs so I was in pubs a much like a child.
Truth: ‘Everyone thinks we met in Australia last year. Do you know who brought her to my house? Robert Pattinson. He brought her here,” he added
Blooming: Taika continued, “I was barbecuing and we got chatting, we hit it off, we became friends. We were just good friends for years after that, for the next three and a half years.”
“The background of the Maori communities is very similar to the Kosovan communities, as if our sensibilities are quite aligned, I think.”
Asked if Rita has seen any of his movies, Taika, who previously directed Thor Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, added, “I don’t care if she’s seen my stuff or now, my mom’s seen my stuff and she likes it nice, that’s enough. ‘
When Taika joined Rita in her dressing room, the singer gushed that he was her “best friend.”
Cute: Taika joked, “We had several relationships, and every time we hung out, we picked up where we left off, and it was a good friendship, and we decided to screw it all up”
During her interview with Louis, Rita reflects on her decade in show business, also highlighting the constant focus on her love life while enjoying “focusing on me and my work” – with relationships a positive addition.
The singer settled down when she met the man of her dreams Taika after a series of high-profile relationships.
The Hot Right Now hitmaker’s most serious boyfriend before that was Calvin Harris who she dated for a year in 2013.
Besides Calvin, she also made headlines for affairs with some more unexpected stars, including Rob Kardashian, singer James Arthur, Andrew Garfield and Travis Barker.
Insight: During her interview with Louis, Rita reflects on her decade in show business, also highlighting the constant focus on her love life while enjoying focusing on me and my work
Talking about her love life, she told Louis, “I love love, I love being in love, it’s amazing and so much fun.
‘Who not? I live life to the fullest. I am an extremely passionate person when it comes to love, but I don’t base my life on relationships.
“I don’t base my moments on, ‘Oh, I’ll remember this because of that relationship,’ that’s just adding to my life.” I’ve always been very determined to focus on myself and my work.’
Opening: Rita also shared how she has ‘always dreamed of getting married’ since she was a child, amid her secret marriage to husband Taika
Rita continued, “Look, we’re women. Men are not asked, “Oh, you’ve had 100 boyfriends or girlfriends.” Sometimes they do, but usually they don’t. It’s part of the territory, it’s part of the world you’re in.’
Rita also shared how she has “always dreamed of getting married” since she was a child, amid her secret marriage to husband Taika.
Rita was reported to have tied the knot with the film director, 47, in a low-key ceremony this summer, and while she has never explicitly confirmed the marriage, her close friends have.
Speaking about her thoughts on pre-wedding marriage, Rita said, “Getting engaged has definitely been a conversation. I’m happy.
Claims: Rita was said to have tied the knot with the film director, 47, in a low-key ceremony this summer, and while she has never explicitly confirmed the marriage, her close friends have
“Getting married is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, and he’s definitely an amazing human being. He’s great, I’ve reached a point where I’m very composed and settled.’
In August, it was reported that the couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in London.
The singer is said to have already changed her last name and will now be known as Mrs Waititi-Ora.
In the months following their marriage, Rita and Taika have both been pictured wearing gold bands on their ring fingers.
Rita and Taika started dating in March 2021 before going public with their romance in August.
The couple got engaged in June and sources now claim they are planning a huge party to celebrate their secret wedding with friends and family.
Candid: Speaking about her thoughts on marriage before her wedding, Rita said, “Getting engaged has definitely been a conversation. I’m happy’