THE Masked Singer’s Rita Ora has hit back at the trolls criticising the clothes she and Davina McCall wear on the show — saying they dress only for themselves.
In an exclusive interview ahead of tomorrow’s semi-final, Rita, 30, said they could not care less about the abuse.
She also spoke about the ITV show’s incredible success and hinted at some A-list guests still to come.
Trolls have called Davina, 53, an “old” woman who “should cover up” while singer Rita has also seen some of her style choices criticised.
But hitting back at the trolls, Rita said: “I really think style is a totally personal thing — if someone doesn’t like something I wear, they don’t have to, that’s totally fine.
“What’s important is I just need to feel confident about me and how I feel — that’s all that matters to me with my style. I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”
ITV chiefs have been overjoyed with the runaway success of The Masked Singer, which gets more than eight million viewers every week.
The show sees celebrities perform anonymously in costume as part of a guessing game for the show’s fans and panellists, who also include Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan.
And Rita believes the twist on the conventional talent show format has come at exactly the right time.
She said: “We don’t really critique the singers. This is a guessing show so it’s quite different to your average talent show with judges.
“The characters are already very successful and talented. Some have won multiple awards, so we are not there to judge them, we are there to guess who they are.
“The people on the show already have massive fan bases, but I like that we’re all having fun too. It’s such a fun show, it’s the mystery that makes it, it’s compelling.
“Guessing games have always been the best when we were all growing up and this is like the ultimate guessing game for the nation. The outfits are insane too — I love them so much.”
This year’s series has so far seen Mel B, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Martine McCutcheon, Glenn Hoddle, John Thomson, Lenny Henry and Morten Harket unmasked.
And Rita said she has been impressed that no details have ever been revealed about who sings on the pre-recorded show.
She said: “It’s amazing that the names never leak — even among the judges. The team do such a good job keeping the identities a secret.
“They even walk around backstage with masks on. They don’t even take them off when they walk in the building — it’s very genuine guessing.
“We have no idea when they first come out. There have been some really good ones this year already, which had me totally stunned when it was revealed who they were.
“Mel B was just a dream. My first concert I went to was The Spice Girls, so I was blown away by her being there.”
Rita is watching the show herself from an enforced 14-day quarantine in an Australian hotel room, where she is preparing to join The Voice.
And she believes much of its success is down to the relationship between the panellists — who have also included Alan Carr as a guest last week, with comic Matt Lucas joining tonight.
Rita said: “They are all hilarious, and I think the dynamic is so brilliant you have a bit of everything between us. We have the best chemistry, we genuinely have such a laugh, and I think it’s exactly the sort of show people are looking for at the moment.
“People can’t wait to see it every week — it’s such a laugh, so funny and warm-hearted, how could you not love it?
“It’s something that the whole family can sit down and watch together and I think that’s what makes it so special. Keep watching though because there are some more amazing guests to come. You will not believe who there is!”
As well as The Voice in Australia, Rita has revealed plans for a musical comeback with an EP out next week, which she worked on with DJ David Guetta.
And she is hopeful she will soon be able to return to touring and performing live. Rita, who was born in Kosovo, said: “The highlight of being a musician has always been performing. There is nothing more rewarding than touring and playing live.
“Working with David Guetta has been an amazing experience. He’s fantastic and so professional. He says work comes first, nothing else matters apart from your work, which he is so right about — and good work always stands out.
“I’ve had 13 top ten singles in the UK without being born here, and only hard work got me here — along with the support of my family, friends and fans.
“So I’m determined to keep going. I want to do more films, more TV and more fashion. I want to create on all platforms because I grew up watching my idols like Madonna, Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, Cher and Marilyn Monroe.
“They showed you don’t have to stick to one thing, you can do everything. Creating isn’t limited to one department — and that’s what I love about what I do.”
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