After years of being a beloved judge on The Masked Singer UK, Rita Ora has bid farewell to this quirky singing competition that has captivated audiences with its blend of mystery, music, and elaborate costumes.
The show, which features celebrities performing while concealed in extravagant disguises, has become a global phenomenon, with versions running in multiple countries. Including the US one.
Rita Ora leaving the UK panel, where she served her role alongside Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, and Mo Gilligan, much to no one's surprise, comes as she gears up for a more demanding and busy schedule in 2025.
The singer-turned-entrepreneur's departure has generated debate among fans, particularly as she is also joining the US edition of the show, replacing Nicole Scherzinger, indicating a savvy career move rather than a full departure from the brand owing only to scheduling conflicts.
The truth behind Rita Ora’s exit from The Masked Singer UK
In a candidly revealing Instagram post, Rita Ora gave the world a quick rundown of her goals and commitments for 2025, explaining why she has to take a step back from her UK judging responsibilities.
The actress-singer-entrepreneur-judge, who recently played the Queen of Hearts in Disney's Descendants 4, revealed that her calendar is jam-packed with both, artistic and business projects.
Her involvement in many cinematic projects, including Tin Soldier, Descendants 5, He Bled Neon and Voltron, appears to have influenced her choice to quit the UK show.
Adding to her already overflowing plate, Ora has ventured into the beauty industry with Typebea, a haircare brand co-founded with entrepreneur Anna Lahey. The brand focuses on hair growth stimulation, strengthening, and revitalization, marking Ora's first major step into the cutthroat industry of the beauty business sector.
This combination of film commitments, business ventures, and her transition to The Masked Singer US suggests a strategic career pivot rather than any dissatisfaction with the UK show.
What’s next for The Masked Singer UK?
The show's future looks about as bright as a shiny penny with Maya Jama stepping into Rita's almost unfillable shoes, though the choice hasn't come without controversy. While Jama brings her characteristic charm and rather extensive TV hosting experience to the panel, some fans have expressed concern about the lack of professional singers among the judges, on a singing competition.
A fair enough concern to raise, however, supporters have been quick to point out that The Masked Singer's primary focus is on celebrity detection rather than vocal critique. The emphasis, one can suppose, has always been on the 'masked' and not the 'singer' necessarily.
Jama herself seems mostly unfazed by the debate, choosing instead to express genuine enthusiasm for her new role. "I'm such a Masked Singer fan," she shared chirpily, "so joining the panel alongside Davina, Jonathan, and Mo—and of course working with Joel—is going to be so much fun!"
Her excitement about the show's signature unmaskings and performances suggest she's ready to bring fresh energy to the panel if not years and years of popstar experience. But hey, she seems to know the show as a fan, and that puts a new spin on upcoming seasons of the show.
For Ora, this period marks an exciting evolution in her career. While she's leaving the UK version, her move to the US panel indicates she's not done with the franchise yet, and she's making some cross-continental steps to shine as brightly as she possibly can in the spotlight.
Her packed 2025 schedule, balancing film roles, business ventures, and television appearances, suggests this was less about leaving The Masked Singer behind and more about career growth.
As she put it herself on Instagram, it's about "making the most of every moment" – something she seems determined to do as she embarks on this brand new chapter in her life (American edition). Talk about New Year's resolution goals.
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The Masked Singer UK is set to land its next series on ITV1 early next year.
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