Rita Ora Reveals Egg Freezing in Her 20s Was 'Best Advice' After Mother's Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Rita Ora attends the Welcome Ceremony for the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 at Zayed Sport City Stadium on February 06, 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo Credit: (Photo by Mohammed Elsayed/Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 via Getty Images)
Rita Ora, the 35-year-old British-Albanian singer known for hits like "Hot Right Now" and "I Will Never Let You Down," opened up about her decision to freeze her eggs twice in her twenties. She underwent the procedures at ages 24 and 27, following advice from a doctor who recommended it as an optimal time for preserving egg quality.
A key motivator was her mother Vera's breast cancer diagnosis in 2005, when Ora was 13 years old. The treatment induced early menopause for Vera, prompting Ora to act proactively on her fertility. Ora previously discussed the impact on Davina McCall's Begin Again podcast in 2025, revealing it contributed to her post-traumatic stress disorder and health anxiety. "My mother's treatment stimulated menopause at an early age for her. So I'm trying to get ahead of it and learn about it," she said.
Ora's friend and former Masked Singer co-judge Davina McCall has been vocal about urging her toward parenthood. "Davina is always like, 'Hurry up – you can do it,'" Ora shared, adding she learned much from McCall during their four years on the ITV show.
Since marrying filmmaker Taika Waititi in 2022, Ora has embraced stepmotherhood to his two daughters. Waititi, a New Zealander of Russian Jewish and Māori descent, directed films like Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Love and Thunder. Ora highlighted shared values: "Our common ground of our mothers being our everything was very important. And the idea of working hard. We have lots of similarities in our beliefs and morals and how we were raised – I didn't realise that Albanian and Māori culture are very similar." She described their dynamic as "respecting each other and just being mates and having fun."
On step-parenting, Ora said, "I don't know if anything really prepares you, you just have to figure it out in the moment. I've loved every second – the girls are just a dream. I think I got very lucky. We have a lot of fun – doing nails, going shopping. I love hanging out with them."
Ora's career spans music with four UK number one singles and one number one album since 2004, plus acting in Fifty Shades of Grey, Southpaw, and Pokemon Detective Pikachu. Her story aligns with rising egg freezing trends; the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority reported a 45% increase in patients from 2022 to 2023, with average freezing age at 35 and thawing at 40. The British Fertility Society notes fertility decline often begins in the mid-thirties, though individual experiences vary, and success is not guaranteed. Egg freezing is available on the NHS for those facing fertility-impacting treatments like cancer therapy, subject to criteria.
No specific LGBTQ+ community responses or perspectives were documented in coverage of Ora's interview, though her affirming family narrative underscores inclusive approaches to modern parenthood.
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