Rita Ora returns to Kosovo homeland for new project away from music

NOT content with being a chart-topping star, actress and fashion designer Rita Ora is adding another string to her bow.

The Hot Right Now singer has teamed up with the team behind Nirvana’s latest ­documentary to produce her own film about youth ­culture in her native Kosovo.

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Rita said: “I am in the middle of shooting a documentary about the underground culture of the kids [in Kosovo].

“Sixty per cent of our population is under the age of 35 which is super-young.

“It shows there is so much anger and frustration going on underneath all of the restraints that we have had to see in the ­history of our country.

“I have been working with producers who are really passionate about Kosovo and where I am from.

“Doing music and being outspoken is definitely controversial.”

Rita headed back to her homeland last weekend to celebrate her 33rd birthday with husband, movie director Taika Waititi.

Opening up about the trip Rita revealed she took time out from her break to film some scenes for her upcoming documentary.

She added: “I go there and they look at me other-worldly.

“Like it is not a real thing to them but the hope of just being able to do something that is what I do.

“I do the job of my dreams but I have worked my ar*e off to get where I am, but when I go back I still can’t connect the dots of that little bit of hope that they have lost.

“It was emotional for me.”

Empty promise

Speaking at Soho Farmhouse for a Business In Fashion talk, Rita recalled her own struggle to make it in the industry after being signed by Jay Z aged just 17.

She went on to sue his music label, Roc Nation, after claiming she had been sidelined by them and the pair later settled outside of court.

Rita, who released her third album, You & I in July, said: “I don’t like talking about it as it is so traumatic.

“It was not having the belief from the team who told me all my dreams were going to come true.

“It was like an empty promise and I thought our course was over and I had to go against the biggest people in the music business just to survive.

“You don’t want to mess with people who have so much power.

“It was either that or it was over for me.

“It was a respectful separation but you want the end goal for everyone to win.

“I ended up ­putting my own album out this year with my own songs.”

Sing song merrily with Spice

SHE might be one fifth of our biggest female group, but Spice Girls star Geri Horner decided to save her voice and smile instead when she got around a piano for a star-studded sing-song at her husband Christian’s 50th birthday bash.

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Geri grinned as she posed with her old bandmate Emma Bunton, Take That star Gary Barlow, who was busy at the ivories, Sir Rod Stewart and Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood.

Ginger Spice put on a night to remember – or forget, depending on how much champagne was consumed – for Formula 1 boss Christian.

She organised the bash as a surprise and as well as calling together their celebrity pals, laid on a free bar and posh food for their guests.

And naturally there was a cake that was almost bigger than Geri herself.

Happy Birthday, Christian.

Maybe pop a painkiller for the headache.

Soft spot for Daisy

DAISY LOWE let her hair down with pal Vick Hope at a bash in London’s Tufnell Park.

The model and Strictly star, who welcomed her first child, daughter Ivy, in April, enjoyed a night on the tiles at the party thrown by American Express.

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Daisy wore a leopard print top and smart trousers for the event while Radio 1 DJ Vick dressed down in a cropped jumper and jeans.

After becoming a mum for the first time, Daisy said she had been given a shock by how hard parenting can be.

She said: “I have wanted to be a mum all my life, but nothing can prepare you.

“All of the fantasising about what being a mum is, it’s worlds apart to what it’s like in practice, but I’m so grateful that my little girl is here.”

Just wait until Ivy starts walking, Daisy.

You’ll need eyes in the back of your head and a stiff drink.

Barbie hits battle it out

DUA LIPA is hoping to add an Oscar to her collection of accolades after her smash hit, Dance The Night, from the Barbie film was put forward for Best Song at next year’s ceremony.

The singer will learn in a few weeks if she has made the cut.

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But she faces competition from Billie Eilish and previous Oscar winner Ryan Gosling.

I have been told that the makers of Barbie have put all three songs up for contention but only two songs from the same film can go into the shortlist.

It means Dua’s Dance The Night will be up against Billie’s What Was I Made For and Ryan’s comedy song, I’m Just Ken.

A member of the Academy voting panel said: “This category is one of the most hotly contested categories.

“Dua’s track was a global hit and deserves to be shortlisted for its chart achievements alone but the Oscars can be snobby.

“Billie’s song is a classic tune of the kind the voters normally love to pick.

“She is also well liked before from her No Time To Die performance.

“And Ryan is hugely popular with the Academy too.

“It’s going to be a close call.”

Dance The Night became a runaway hit for Dua after it was released as the lead single from the Barbie soundtrack.

The song went straight to the No1 spot in the UK’s Official Singles Chart and in the video features a cameo from Barbie director Greta Gerwig.

The Oscars takes place on March 10 next year and I’ve heard there could be a spectacular live Barbie performance to open the show.

If Margt Robbie is there, I’ll be watching.

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GIRLS ALOUD are in for a seriously busy summer after their comeback tour sold 200,000 tickets in the space of a couple of hours.

Demand has been so great that the group, made up for Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts, announced they have put on 14 additional dates.

As well as bringing the start of The Girls Aloud Show forward by a day in Dublin to fit in another gig on May 17, they will play extra dates in Belfast, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, Nottingham, Leeds, Birmingham and Liverpool.

Girls Aloud have also added two more slots to their London dates, with the group now booked to perform at the O2 Arena from June 22-26.

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Ricky predicts it’ll be a riot

FANS will be rockin’ around the Christmas tree at music charity ­Nordoff & Robbins’s carol service – with the Kaiser Chiefs headlining.

The band and other stars will perform at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea, West London, on December 12.

Frontman and Virgin Radio DJ Ricky Wilson said: “We’ve played a lot of memorable shows, including a brilliant, intimate gig for Nordoff & Robbins a few years back, but this one really stands out.

“We can’t wait to be a part of this festive institution and rock the pews with some of our anthems.

“What Nordoff & Robbins’ music therapists can do with music’s power is remarkable.”

Tickets at nordoff-robbins.org.uk.

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MIKE SKINNER rounded off the second year of Amex Gold Unsigned with an epic DJ set in North London.

The Streets star took to the decks following an impressive showcase from some of the UK’s most ­exciting emerging acts at the refurbished venue The Dome in Tufnell Park.

In a move away from the X Factor-style “winner takes all” format, all six finalists will receive industry mentoring, a record deal and label support.

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Ella braced for glitter makeover

IF I needed another excuse not to head to the gym, hearing what happened to Ella Henderson has put me right off.

The singer revealed she was rushed to A&E after an accident during a workout when she was doing step-ups.

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She said: “I went funny on my ankle and I was laid on the floor, in a gym class, on my back like a beetle, saying, ‘Stop the music’.”

Speaking to Alan Carr on his Life’s A Beach ­podcast, Ella added: “I’ve been told it’s a grade three sprain, and I’m there at A&E and all I’m praying for is that it’s not broken,

“It’s my ligament that I’ve torn, so I’ve got to wear this ankle brace whenever I’m doing anything like performing for a while, so we might have to get a glittered version of that.”

I’m sure she’d pull that look off.

Scott has ‘vision for Abba

SCOTT MILLS thinks ABBA could perform at Eurovision next summer 50 years after they won the competition.

Group members Born Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson shut down reunion hopes earlier this year when they said they wouldn’t perform with Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad ever again, not even for one night.

But digital versions, dubbed Abbatars, were created last year for the group’s groundbreaking virtual concerts at the purpose built Abba Arena in London and radio host Scott says the technology should head to Malmo next year.

In an exclusive chat, he said: “We’re not going to be able to do the contest without mentioning the elephant in the room, 50 years since they won, so something has to happen if they’re not there in real life, surely.

“Benny and Bjorn have definitely said no, so they should bring new Abbatars for Eurovision.

“I don’t know whether it’s possible in an arena like in Malmo but the technology is bonkers so that would be the answer.”

The Eurovision commentator said discussions about who will represent the UK are already ongoing.

He said: “Since the summer, we’ve had meetings with loads of heads from Radio One and Two, collaborative meetings which is unheard of really.

“We all did post-it notes of who we want, who won’t do it and who might not be right, it was proper like The Office.

“There’s so many good new artists but also a real thirst for that nostalgia.

“Look at S Club and Girls Aloud coming back, JLS on a tour, we’ve got a lot of options.

“I’d like the Sugababes, obviously they’d have to find a new banger but they were known all around Europe.

“But the powers that be might decide to go for someone brand new, a bit like Sam Ryder who had a massive following on TikTok before and absolutely smashed it.”