Some celebrity love stories come with a perfectly timed meet-cute and a tidy origin story. This one? Not so much; and honestly, that’s part of the charm. Rita Ora, 35, and Taika Waititi, 50, have never really laid out every detail of how their relationship unfolded, but over the years, they’ve shared just enough to give fans a clear picture of a connection that grew naturally, privately, and very much on their own terms.
It seems like theirs wasn’t about a viral moment or a flashy debut. Instead, it was a slow burn that eventually turned into something rock-solid. Yep, sometimes the best love stories happen quietly before anyone’s paying attention.
GettyThey First Met Years Before Going Public
While the exact moment they crossed paths hasn’t been revealed, Rita has confirmed when it all began. According to People, the singer reflected on her relationship with Taika Waititi in an Instagram post back in 2022 (which has since been deleted), revealing that the pair first met in 2018.
As the caption to a nostalgic photo taken four years earlier, Rita wrote, “Us. 4 years ago. To now,” before sharing a series of more recent photos of the two together. She added, “Thanks for being cool. And entertaining me forevs… Happy Valentine’s Day bestie ❤️.”
Very Rita. Very affectionate. And very much giving “we were friends first, and then more.”
At the time, fans were still piecing a timeline together, but that post made one thing clear: whatever was happening between them had deep roots. They weren’t rushing. They weren’t performing. They were just… building something real. And let’s be honest, that kind of energy feels rare in celebrity relationships.
GettyFrom Private Romance to Marriage (and a Proposal Twist)
By the time Rita and Taika tied the knot in August 2022, they’d already done things their own way… so it tracks that even their wedding came with a little mystery. Rumors swirled about a European destination ceremony, but Taika shut that down in an interview.
“It wasn’t in London or in France like everyone reported. It was in L.A. with a small group of friends,” he told Vogue, who got an inside look at the wedding a year after it happened, confirming the intimate, low-key vibe.
Then came one of the most refreshing details of all. In June 2025, Rita appeared on Davina McCall’s “Begin Again” podcast and revealed that she was the one who proposed. Yep, you read that right. She explained that she got “down on one knee” and “asked him to marry me.” Casual. Confident. Iconic.
Their mutual admiration hasn’t slowed down since. In November 2025, Taika shared a slideshow of photos and videos celebrating Rita’s birthday, captioning it, “Happy Birthday, Zog. ❤️🎉🧀🍹🍄☃️🍿🍟🏉🏆🚧⛱️💎.” Rita replied with a comment that pretty much says it all: “My partner for eternity. I love you husband. I can’t believe you’re my husband!”
No theatrics. No oversharing. Just two creatives clearly choosing each other, again and again.
