Rita Ora has undergone a profound health and fitness transformation since reaching her thirties, implementing a comprehensive strategy to safeguard both her physical and mental wellbeing as she matures. The celebrated singer, now 35, graces the cover of Women's Health UK magazine, showcasing her athletic physique in a striking leotard ensemble complemented by a sports bra and cycling shorts.
A Shift in Mindset at Thirty
Rita explained that during her twenties, she experienced the pinnacle of her career while thoroughly enjoying every moment. However, upon turning thirty five years ago, she observed significant changes in her physical condition that prompted a complete reevaluation of her approach to fitness and health. "I should treat my body like I'm a kind of athlete," she declared, emphasizing that this philosophy extends far beyond mere appearance.
"I don't want people to get confused with my health journey being about me being obsessed with my physical appearance, because I think sometimes that line gets very blurred. It's all to do with how I feel," she clarified during the interview. This holistic perspective has guided her transformation, focusing on internal wellbeing rather than external aesthetics.
Comprehensive Health Strategy
Beyond adopting rigorous weight training, Rita has proactively educated herself about menopause after witnessing her mother undergo breast cancer treatment that induced early menopause. "I'm trying to get ahead of it and learn about it," she explained, noting that she gained valuable insights from Davina McCall while collaborating on The Masked Singer.
Regarding reproductive health, Rita feels particularly secure after undergoing egg freezing procedures twice—first at age 24 and again at 27. "A doctor told me it was a really good time to preserve the best quality eggs," she recalled. "It was actually the best advice, because now I'm in my mid-thirties and I have a lot of friends really trying to figure it out. It will just be more of an expansion when the time comes."
Family Life and Relationships
Rita, who married filmmaker Taika Waititi in a secret August 2022 ceremony after proposing to him herself, has embraced her role as stepmother to his two daughters, aged 13 and nine. "I've loved every second—the girls are just a dream. I think I got very lucky," she gushed. "We have a lot of fun—doing nails, going shopping. I love hanging out with them."
Reflecting on her romantic journey, Rita acknowledged that during her "messy twenties" she wasn't in the right relationships, but when she connected with Taika in 2021 after five years of friendship, everything felt "right and safe."
Mental Health Wake-Up Call
A pivotal moment in Rita's health journey occurred in 2016 when she experienced a panic attack while meeting the then-Prince Charles at a charity event alongside Tom Hardy. "Every time I see that photo of me there, standing next to Tom Hardy, I just remember how I felt. It was like an out-of-body experience," she admitted.
This incident served as a crucial catalyst for prioritizing her mental health. "But it was also a big wake-up call. That was one of the first times I was like, 'Okay, I need to do something about this.' Therapy gave me perspective and I think that's what I wasn't trained in," she revealed, highlighting how this experience fundamentally shifted her approach to self-care.
The complete interview detailing Rita Ora's multifaceted health transformation appears in the April edition of Women's Health UK, available from March 10th.
