Rita Ora Describes Her Nerve-Wracking First Meeting With Madonna

EXCLUSIVE: She's been announced as the new face of Madonna and Lourdes Leon's Material Girl line – now Rita Ora tells Marie Claire how the partnership came about

Rita Ora on stage at the Chime For Change concert
Rita Ora on stage at the Chime For Change concert
(Image credit: Rex)

EXCLUSIVE: She's been announced as the new face of Madonna and Lourdes Leon's Material Girl line – now Rita Ora tells Marie Claire how the partnership came about

Rita Ora has opened up about her very fist meeting with Madonna, following the announcement that she's the brand new face of the star's Material Girl fashion line.

Rita is following in the stylish footsteps of Kelly Osbourne and Taylor Momsen, who've both fronted the high street line, which was launched by Madonna and her daughter Lourdes (Lola) Leon back in 2010.

Rita Ora performs on stage at Sony Music's HQ

Rita Ora performs on stage at Sony Music's HQ
(Image credit: Sony)

At this week's Sony Xperia Access launch, held at Sony Music's London HQ, we caught up with Rita for an exclusive chat, during which she told us about her very first meeting with the Queen of Pop.

Talking about the first time they met, she revealed: 'It was actually at Chime For Change, I met her for the first time. We shot the campaign around London and it was such a fun campaign to do because those were the kind of clothes that I would buy before I was doing any singing and [they are] that same price range.

'And I really support the mother and daughter combination. I’m really close to my mum so it’s like… it really made sense to do it and on top of that… it’s Madonna! When Lola kind of mentioned me to her mum I was so flattered. Long story short, I met her, I walked in and I felt like I was going to puke.

Madonna wears Dolce & Gabbana on the red carpet

Madonna wears Dolce & Gabbana on the red carpet
(Image credit: Rex)

'It was like meeting my generation’s version of Elvis Presley, do you know what I mean? I’m not even exaggerating, I was so, so… like I’ve never felt that before in my life where I felt like I had nothing to say.

'I just stood there and was like… ‘thank you’. And she said "This is a very organised meeting". And I was like: "No, this is just like an honour".'

She added: 'It was the biggest compliment in the world for a singer to ask me to the the face of their line.'

So what can we expect from the first photoshoot?

Rita says: 'Just a lot of fun, like I’m around London sitting on phone booths, messing around and stuff.'

Sounds fabulous.

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