Rita Ora: The support of Albanians has played a key role in my journey

Screenshot of Erjon Veliaj and Rita Ora while online at Diaspora Speaks 2020 conference

 At the end of the conference, Diaspora Speaks 2020 the guest of honor was the Albanian singer Rita Ora in a conversation with the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj.

The two guests had a friendly conversation and among other things discussed many things, starting from the pandemic in Tirana and London, as well as the career of the Albanian star who represents Albanians with dignity with her international success.

Rita Ora also talked about her roots and origins, traditional Albanian food, and emphasizes that everything she has done in life comes from family and the way she grew up.

Erion Veliaj in conversation with Rita Ora asked her: You are one of the stars of the world, it happens that you are Albanian and everyone is proud of that. What does it mean to be a megastar?

"First of all, to be an Albanian woman in such a crazy industry, dominated by men, you have to have a lot of determination, work ethic, self-confidence, but for me who has seen my parents work hard I realized that it all depends on how much you want to do something, and i really believe that the journey to success is the family you have around you and being from the place i come from and where everyone has their eyes on you, understands that family is everything and feel very determined to always push myself, my limits, trying to be a business woman, in the sense that i can grow and inspire other girls who are watching this interview now that they are currently at home , in the living room, sad, feeling trapped and probably not able to get out and feeling stuck, I was that kind of girl too and thinking I'm still living in my 20s, for a few days I turn 30, I started very young with the support of my country and the Albanian community, the role it has played for me is indescribable and I have no words to describe the importance of the role of that community to really support me in my crazy journey."

While you have been talking about this crazy journey for decades, I am curious to know, how is your day? What does Rita do on a typical day? This was the question addressed to you by the mayor Veliaj.

"My first thought when I wake up may sound strange but I meditate, do not touch the phone for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Some people just wake up touch the phone, but it is very important in this pandemic to take care of mental health. I have never been more responsible for mental health than since this pandemic started. I try to meditate and calm down for 30 minutes, then get up. Breakfast is my favorite. I love breakfast because my mom has always cooked very good breakfasts. I'm not kidding if my favorites are, peppers with cheese, eggs in the pan and I do not know if I'm wrong, also the plums my mom makes with jam and honey. I am not saying it is healthy but very tasty and then I move on to other things.

The mayor directs questions again to quench the curiosity of all followers: A question that many people ask: How do you manage fame and popularity because some people go in the wrong direction, become arrogant, while people like you use fame as a gadget, to do well, how do you cope with all the fame?

"People always ask me this question and for someone who has been in this industry for more than 10 years I have realized that career longevity is really based on the behavior and respect you show to others, for me, you have to treat them. People who work for you, or people you want to engage in with the same respect that you will be treated, so I think that comes with discipline, but it also applies to the fact that you have to be emotionally strong to understand that you will not to always get yes, because life is not like that, sometimes things don’t work out. I feel that I had a lot to give as a woman, but also as a woman who came from a culture of Albanian origin to have the opportunity to become very strong because we deserve this way of appreciation from other women, for have been an inspiration to the community and young people, but not only to them but also to women in general, to men and to everyone else. I have always been enthusiastic about speaking so openly and having the title of Honorary Ambassador of Kosovo, because it was one of the best moments of my life, because I am very proud of where I come from and my parents raised me speaking Albanian at home and with the spirit of heritage culture and with that comes to pride, determination, discipline and you just become more determined by what you are, I feel so happy to see famous artists coming from my country”.