Rita Ora is a triple risk in Descendants: The Rise of Red, the new musical from Disney that spins new, family-friendly lore based mostly on classical films and fairytale characters.
Ora takes on the position of the Queen of Hearts – whom chances are you’ll know finest for saying “Off with their heads” in Lewis Caroll’s Alice In Wonderland. In Descendants: The Rise of Red, nonetheless, Ora additionally turns singer and rapper along with her entry music “Love Ain’t It,” which additionally options actor-singers Kylie Cantrall (her on-screen daughter, Red) and Malia Baker (taking part in Chloe Charming), plus R&B star Brandy (who performs Cinderella).
The British pop star particularly talks about her music as a “reality shock moment” in the film’s narrative. Speaking over a video name with Rolling Stone India, Ora says, “It’s the first time you get to see this kind of worry in everyone […] Everyone kind of becomes really scared and the song starts playing, and it’s kind of a very powerful moment for the Queen of Hearts.”
British pop star Ora isn’t any stranger to the movie world – you’ve possible seen her in Fifty Shades of Grey – however she’s doing a Disney film for the first time. Ora went to highschool for musical theater and has loved the stage earlier than (“It’s sort of in my DNA,” she says), however that is her first time being half of a musical movie. “I think as a musician, it’s like a natural growth to go into movies and do musicals. I’d like to challenge myself. I would like to do something next that feels a little bit more unexpected,” she provides.
Ora is taking part in, in her personal phrases, “an iconic character” that’s been depicted in a number of other ways in popular culture over the years, together with film diversifications. She provides, “It was really fun to do my own interpretation of her, especially, her feeling and going through a lot in her childhood, which you get to see in the film.”
No doubt this was a villain position, however Ora says she’s beloved every thing about Descendants to this point – the Disney franchise began off in 2015 – and feels that this “feels kind of like a new era” in the narrative. “It was really nice to just be a part of that,” she provides.
More than a villain position, Ora performs mom to Kylie Cantrall’s Red in the film. She says, “It was the first time I played a role where I was a mum. I liked the idea of looking after her, and we really got so close, and she’s so funny, and she’s a superstar.” She additionally bought to share singing area with Brandy, whom Ora calls “just the best.” She provides, “Me being from music, that was a huge moment for me because I’ve loved her [Brandy] since I can remember.”
Including “Love Ain’t It,” the soundtrack to Descendants: The Rise of Red traverses rap, pop, digital and good old style, harmony-rich musical songs. “It’s just so uplifting, and there’s so many emotional moments as well. At the same time, it’s such a beautiful movie to watch with your family, and there’s amazing clothes and fashion, and it’s just a really fast, quick-witted family movie,” Ora says.
Her favourite half about being in Descendants: The Rise of Red was “seeing it all come to life,” in phrases of the music, choreography, digicam work, outfits and performing. “It takes a lot of people to put on a movie like this. The choreographer, the music department… everyone was so, so amazing.”
Ora was in India final yr along with her husband, filmmaker Taika Waititi, however solely as vacationers. “Hopefully I’ll come and see you guys and we can do a concert one day,” she added by means of a message to her followers in India.
‘Descendants: The Rise of Red’ is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
