Washington DC [US], July 3: Singer-songwriter and actor Rita Ora has revealed that Beyoncé supported and protected her during the intense speculation surrounding the infamous “Becky with the good hair” lyric from Beyoncé’s 2016 album Lemonade, reported People.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Begin Again with Davina McCall podcast, Ora opened up about how Beyoncé came to her defence when rumors falsely linked her to the alleged affair referenced in the song “Sorry,” which features the line: “He only want me when I’m not on there / He better call Becky with the good hair.”
At the time, fans speculated that Ora—who was signed to Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation—could be “Becky,” sparking widespread online scrutiny. Reflecting on the period, Ora clarified, “Because it wasn’t real… none of that was real. That was the first time I experienced what it means to be in a messy situation, I guess,” she said, adding humorously, “I wish I had good hair.”
Ora recalled how, despite the rumors, Beyoncé was nothing but supportive. “Behind closed doors, she was my fairy godmother. She was my protector. That’s what’s insane because there was nothing but love,” Ora shared. She added that Beyoncé even attended her first New York show at The Box, demonstrating her encouragement.
At the time, Ora was filming Fifty Shades of Grey and remembered feeling bewildered by the sudden attention: “I was like, ‘Why is this happening to me? What have I done?’”
Ora shared that she ultimately cleared the rumors by taking a selfie with Beyoncé at the 2016 Met Gala. “Then it was gone,” she said. “Because there was never anything there in the first place.”
In December 2022, Ora again denied being “Becky,” telling reporters the whole situation was “literally a coincidence,” and that she “didn’t even think about it,” reported People.