Rita Ora Talks New Music, Working with Prince & More in Paper Magazine April 2014

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Rita Ora covers Paper Magazine April 2014 wearing dress by Alexander Wang, crowns by Jennifer Behr and a choker by Eddie Borgo

Rita Ora covers Paper Magazine April 2014 wearing dress by Alexander Wang, crowns by Jennifer Behr and a choker by Eddie Borgo

UK pop star Rita Ora covers the April 2014 issue of Paper Magazine , where she dishes on her forthcoming album, working on new music with the legendary Prince , her mother being her role model and so much more.

The pressure is on for the singer/actress/model, who is readying her U.S. takeover. She’ll kick things off with her Calvin Harris assisted single I Will Never Let You Down ,” which will hit stateside radio this summer. The song is featured in her new commercial for Rimmel London’s Colour Rush .

The new album will follow Rita’s UK chart-topping 2012 debut, Ora , which went certified platinum.

For her Harper Smith -photographed Paper spread, titled “beautiful ora,” Rita wears selections by Alexander Wang, Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana and more chosen by stylist Solange Franklin .

Her blonde tresses are styled by Ursula Stephen for Motions/Epiphany Artist Group, Inc., with makeup by Renee Garnes and manicure by Dawn Sterling using Chanel Le Vernis.

Enjoy a few excerpts from her interview with DJ Nick Grimshaw and photos from her shoot below.

Rita Ora wearing top and skirt by Miu Miu, bracelets by Cartier, earrings by Laruicci and rings by Gold Philosophy and P1nk Noise for Paper Magazine April 2014

Rita Ora wearing top and skirt by Miu Miu, bracelets by Cartier, earrings by Laruicci and rings by Gold Philosophy and P1nk Noise for Paper Magazine April 2014

Rita Ora wearing dress by Marc Jacobs, earrings by Deborah Pagani, rings by Deborah Pagani and Gold Philosophy, bracelets by Cartier and ribbons by Mokuba for Paper Magazine April 2014

Rita Ora wearing dress by Marc Jacobs, earrings by Deborah Pagani, rings by Deborah Pagani and Gold Philosophy, bracelets by Cartier and ribbons by Mokuba for Paper Magazine April 2014

On walking in Jeremy Scott’s Moschino show at Milan Fashion Week and friendship with Naomi Campbell:

“Yeah, me and Naomi Campbell are like best friends… No, I’m joking. She’s so cute. She was looking after me at the [Philipp Plein] show. I was really nervous because I felt fat — everyone was so skinny and tall. So she gave me a pep talk and walked me in. Then we ended up having drinks by the bar and she was being really cool.”

Rita Ora wearing dress by Alexander Wang, a crown by Dolce and Gabbana and chokers by Alynne Lavigne for Paper Magazine April 2014

Rita Ora wearing dress by Alexander Wang, a crown by Dolce and Gabbana and chokers by Alynne Lavigne for Paper Magazine April 2014

Rita Ora wearing dress by Alexander Wang, a crown by Dolce and Gabbana and chokers by Alynne Lavigne for Paper Magazine April 2014

Rita Ora wearing dress by Alexander Wang, a crown by Dolce and Gabbana and chokers by Alynne Lavigne for Paper Magazine April 2014

On her mother being one of her role models:

“Yeah she is. She’s a very influential human being. She’s friendly, fun and very honest. And she kind of came from nothing. She had so much shit going on in her life but now she’s a doctor and also knows how to have fun. She’s never backed down from anything. I mean she’s a mom, she’s a wife, she’s a doctor… She is. Everything. She’s major.”

Rita Ora wearing dress by Marc Jacobs, earrings by Deborah Pagani, rings by Deborah Pagani and Gold Philosophy, bracelets by Cartier and ribbons by Mokuba for Paper Magazine April 2014

Rita Ora wearing dress by Marc Jacobs, earrings by Deborah Pagani, rings by Deborah Pagani and Gold Philosophy, bracelets by Cartier and ribbons by Mokuba for Paper Magazine April 2014

On her U.S. debut:

“Conquering America for a UK artist is incredible because that’s what everybody wants and dreams about. And I guess it’s the same for the US acts; they’d like to crack the UK. The accomplishment is dominating a market which you aren’t familiar with. So yeah, I am a bit nervous. I am a bit scared, I’ll be honest, but I am so fuckin’ excited because the tour we’re doing is going to be so fucking massive. I just can’t wait for it because we have so much more to play with now. The first tour was obviously just me and the band and I was new and now I’m new again, but in another part of the world and we have dancers and loads of decorations and things you’ve never seen before. I don’t want to give too much away but it’s like a completely different planet.”

Rita Ora wearing a coat and shoes by Dior, bracelets by Cartier and rings by P1nk Noise and Gold Philosophy for Paper Magazine April 2014

Rita Ora wearing a coat and shoes by Dior, bracelets by Cartier and rings by P1nk Noise and Gold Philosophy for Paper Magazine April 2014

On her relationship with boss Jay-Z:

“Now we’re at a place where I’ve grown up a little bit; it’s been two years since my last album. When I met him I was 17, and I am 23 now, so he’s watched me grow and now it’s about me having my own opinion and making my own decisions, which he understands. It’s more of a brother-sister relationship really. He really cares about me and it’s nice to see a boss who also really wants you to succeed and he’s really doing everything in his power to make this perfect.”

Rita Ora wearing coat and shoes by Dior, bracelets by Cartier and rings by P1nk Noise and Gold Philosophy (left); dress by Alexander Wang, a crown by Dolce and Gabbana and chokers by Alynne Lavigne for Paper Magazine April 2014

Rita Ora wearing coat and shoes by Dior, bracelets by Cartier and rings by P1nk Noise and Gold Philosophy (left); dress by Alexander Wang, a crown by Dolce and Gabbana and chokers by Alynne Lavigne for Paper Magazine April 2014

On the new album and working with Prince:

“My single ‘I Will Never Let You Down’ is obviously a very important song to me because it’s a love song, but it reminds you of Whitney. And that was the vibe we were on. We just wanted to feel good. You know that feeling of “How Will I Know” with the synth? It just makes you feel happy; that’s what I wanted to create. We have this amazing song “Young Dreamers” with Macklemore and it’s so cool. It’s for the kids, and it’s liberating and so fun. I did some stuff with Prince… We did a few tracks together. I flew to Minneapolis and went to Paisley Park, which is like his iconic studios and we just made music. I was there for a week. It was the best thing I have ever done in my life.”

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