Rita Ora hints at real reason she quit Masked Singer after being replaced by Maya Jama-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Rita Ora announced she had stepped away from The Masked Singer UK after four years (Picture: Fox TV / Backgrid)

Rita Ora may have given the reason why she left The Masked Singer UK with Maya Jama stepping in to take her spot on the judging panel.

The Hot Right Now singer, 34, has not publicly addressed her departure four years after joining the ITV show when she took over from Nicole Scherzinger.

However, on Instagram, Rita hinted her busy 2025 schedule may have made Masked Singer UK commitments an impossibility with her other projects.

Referencing her hair care brand, the Poison popstar wrote: ‘What’s your 2025 plan? Mine’s @typebea and music and being apart of the coolest films and spending time with family and friends and making the most of every moment. You?’

It was previously claimed by a source Rita – who is married to Hollywood director Taika Waititi – had left The Masked Singer UK due to a ‘huge film commitment’.

In previous seasons, the booked and busy star has regularly been replaced by guest panellists, including the likes of Busted’s Charlie Simpson, for episodes she cannot attend.

However, Rita will still be part of The Masked Singer universe as it was recently confirmed she will be on the judging panel again for the US spin-off in 2025 along with Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, and Ken Jeong.

Speaking about her decision to join the show, she previously told EW: ‘‘I just felt like a 100% [yes], because I already knew the show so well, and I just love it and I love the excitement of it.’

In September, it was confirmed that Love Island’s Maya, 30, had replaced Rita on The Masked Singer. She joins Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, who all resume their celebrity detective roles, as well as host Joel Dommett.

The TV presenter said: ‘I’m such a Masked Singer fan, so joining the panel alongside Davina, Jonathan, and Mo—and of course working with Joel—is going to be so much fun!

She hinted she had been replaced by Maya due to her busy schedule (Picture: ITV)

Maya said she was thrilled to join The Masked Singer as she was a ‘fan’ of the show (Picture: ITV/Instagram)

‘I can’t wait to figure out who’s underneath all those incredible costumes, vibe to their performances, and get front-row seats to the unmaskings.

‘I’ve watched the show for a long time, so I’m definitely bringing my A-game to the panel!’

Earlier this year, host Joel Dommett revealed Rita once made a huge gaffe on The Masked Singer UK – as she genuinely thought Muhammad Ali, was making his first public appearance since dying in 2016 on the ITV show, singing behind a costume.

‘This is a classic Rita Ora. Think it might have been the first series, might have been the second but someone was on, I can’t remember who, and she genuinely – and there was no joke behind this – this was her serious guess, she thought it was Muhammad Ali,’ Joel revealed on the Chris Moyles Radio X show.

Rita said on Instagram she would be working on her brand, films and music (Picture: ITV)

Rita originally replaced Nicole on The Masked Singer UK (Picture: Fox TV / Backgrid)

Naturally, the Radio X studio erupted in laughter, but Joel confirmed it had to be dropped from the episode.

‘I love her so much. I think it had to be cut from the show for various reasons,’ he said.

The last season of The Masked Singer UK saw Danny Jones crowned winner, after being disguised as Piranha, after competing against the likes of Lorraine Kelly and The Last Leg’s Alex Brooker.

The Masked Singer UK is available to watch on ITVX.

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