Rita Ora FINALLY discusses THAT 'Becky with the good hair' cheating rumour
Beyonce's smash hit 2016 album Lemonade featured poignant lyrics about cheating and she sang about the mysterious 'Becky with the good hair' in her track Sorry.
Fans widely speculated it referred to alleged infidelity by Beyonce's husband Jay-Z with a woman called 'Becky', and theories began circulating online about her identity.
Rita, 34, found herself at the centre of the rumours as she was wrongly accused of having an affair with Jay-Z, with the singer forced to hit back and deny the claims.
Now, Rita - who was represented by Jay-Z's Roc Nation label at the time - revealed she was so upset by the claims because Beyonce has always been her 'protector'.
Speaking on Davina McCall 's Begin Again podcast, Rita explained: 'Behind closed doors, [Beyonce] is literally my fairy godmother, she was my protector - that's what's insane because there was nothing but love.
'And, you know, again, being signed to Jay-Z, her husband, she being my biggest inspiration, she came to my first show in New York at The Box and I sang Say My Name in front of Beyonce when I was 21.'
Rita admitted she was 'genuinely' upset and 'confused' by the storm because Beyonce is a 'big sister' who has always 'looked after' her in the industry.
The For You hitmaker revealed she still sees Beyonce often to this day as she doubled down on her denial that she was 'Becky'.
'It wasn't real,' Rita insisted, before jokingly adding: 'I wish I had good hair!'
'None of that was real. That was the first time I experienced what it means to be in a messy situation, I guess,' she added.
Rita - who has been married to Taika Waititi since 2022 - firmly put the rumours to bed by taking a selfie with Beyonce at the 2016 Met Gala.
'Then it was gone,' she added. 'Because there was never anything there in the first place.'
It is not the first time that Rita has addressed the 'Becky with the good hair' storm as she shut down the speculation on Louis Theroux's podcast in 2022.
Rita became at the centre of the speculation when she posted a photograph of Snapchat in April 2016 of herself wearing a lemon bra while wearing an initial necklace, which fans thought was the letter J.
Though fans were convinced it was a response to the controversial song lyric, Rita insisted: 'Oh my God, it literally was a coincidence.'
'I didn't even think about it, I swear,' she told Louis. 'And it wasn't a J, it was an R. They flipped it round and then it looked like a J.'
She also addressed another famous image which saw her wearing a semi-sheer bra from her Tenezis collaboration with specially-placed lemons.
She said of the lemon-inspired shoot: 'No, it had nothing [to do with it]. No, that was my own design with an underwear company called Tezenis that I was working with.
'This is what I mean, man - a pinch of salt - you've got to take things with a pinch of salt. And that's what's insane.'
Rita said that her 'good friend' Katy Perry gave her a 'hilarious badge that said 'Not Becky'''.
On Beyonce's critically-acclaimed album Lemonade, which won her a pair of Grammy victories, Beyonce made multiple allusions to Jay-Z allegedly cheating on her.
Sorry included the lyrics: 'You only want me when I'm not there/You better call Becky with the good hair.'
Many famous names were caught up in the rumours surrounding 'Becky's' identity including fashion designer Rachel Roy, the ex-wife of Jay-Z's one-time business associate Damon Dash - who also denied the claims.
Beyonce's co-writer Diana Gordon – formerly known by the stage name Wynter Gordon - clarified that 'Becky' doesn't actually refer to any one person in particular.
She said of the reaction: 'I was like, 'What day in age from that lyric do you get all of this information?'' Is it really telling you all that much, accusing people?'
Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles also clarified that it wasn't referring to one specific person but discussing marriage in general.
'It could be about anyone's marriage,' she shared at the time.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Brooklyn Beckham & Nicola Peltz look loved up on romantic break amid family feud
LOVEBIRDS Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz have only got eyes for each other on a recent romantic break. The couple put rumours of a family rift behind them, cuddling up to watch the sunset on a US beach in North Carolina. 4 4 Actress Nicola, 30, was dressed in a black halterneck bikini top and trousers while Brooklyn, 26, plugged his hot sauce business by sporting a Cloud23 T-shirt. Brooklyn is reported to be estranged from his parents David and Victoria and publicly failed to acknowledge their 26th wedding anniversary on Friday. Brooklyn and Nicola looked smitten in a new fashion campaign after the shoot fuelled rumours of a family feud. The pair flew to London for the advertising campaign in May, days after snubbing his dad David's 50th birthday celebrations. It came after they missed David's 50th party in Miami, his fishing trip with his sons Cruz and Romeo, an intimate dinner at their Cotswolds home and his star-studded birthay bash in London. Sources said the snub was a "dagger to the heart" for his parents. Two weeks later the couple, who live in Los Angeles, jetted to London for the Moncler shoot but failed to meet up with Brooklyn's family. The photos for the Italian fashion brand have finally been released and show Brooklyn snuggling into Nicola in a series of romantic moments. The Sun revealed they landed the six figure deal with the designer firm and shot the photos minutes away from the Beckhams' home in West London. They were also up the road from where David was, attending the Chelsea Flower Show with King Charles and Queen Camilla. Brooklyn Beckham's family rift deepens as he turns back on UK by splashing out £11m on LA mansion with wife Nicola Peltz 4 4
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
RHOC star David Beador seen with wife Lesley days after filing restraining order AGAINST her
Real Housewives of Orange County star Shannon Beador's and ex-husband, David Beador was seen with his current wife, Lesley Beador, just days after he filed a restraining order against her. The 60-year-old former Bravo star was photographed with his younger estranged wife, 41, at the Montage Big Sky Resort in Montana on Wednesday. Images showed the former couple sitting on a couch next to one another as they were shared on social media including on popular fan Instagram account Bravo And Cocktails in addition to Reality Blurb. No doubt it was an interesting reunion as David had taken legal action against Lesley in a filing made on June 17. has reached out to David and Lesley but have yet to hear back. In the images which have surfaced on social media, David had a drink in his hand as Lesley scrolled on her phone. It must be noted that she was wearing the same polka dot headband, black top, and gold jewelry in Instagram photos shared on Wednesday. She posted a selfie with she and David's four-year-old daughter, Anna, with the caption: 'Mini.' Lesley shared multiple photo dumps on Instagram of the scenic vacation including one caption naming the resort which read 'Whoopin' it up, under the Big Sky's!' and another that said 'Montana you have my heart!' The vacation together came at an interesting time as People reported just a day prior that David had filed for restraining order against Lesley due to her alleged physical abuse. The weekly obtained legal documents in which David filed for protection against Lesley and requested that she be ordered to stay 100 yards away from him, his home, and his work. The only exception which was requested was for custody exchanges of their daughter Anna Love. According to People, David's petition read: 'Lesley has physically abused me on several occasions and only a small portion of those incidents have been detailed in previous domestic violence actions. 'Lesley is a pathological liar and she will state under penalty of perjury literally anything that will benefit her.' He then went on to allege that his estranged wife, who is nearly two decades his junior, married him for money. He claimed in the legal documents: 'Lesley and I have had many ups and downs in our marital relationship, with prior [divorce petitions] filed and dismissed and domestic violence restraining orders. 'I have always been concerned that Lesley's relationship with me has been primarily based upon her desire to live a luxurious standard of living. in our case [it's] not just a cliché that Lesley married me for my money. In our case it is a fact, she has made that very clear to me literally.' David also went on to claim that he and and his estranged wife had an argument on June 11 in which 'Lesley physically attacked me, gouging large chunks of skin out of my arm.' He alleges that she had also shoved her fingers in his mouth, accused him of biting her fingers, and slapped him in the face multiple times. People also reports that two days after this alleged altercation, Leslie accused David of being gay, which he denied. In addition to staying 100 yards away from him, his home, and his work, Lesley was also forced to vacate his Newport Beach, California home so then she headed to their home in Montana. Lesley brought their daughter Anna in addition to her children from a previous relationship Inga and Indris Pukke. The two have had a rather contentious split as David was served divorce papers by Lesley back in September. In court documents, obtained by In Touch at the time, Lesley filed to end their nearly four-year marriage due to 'irreconcilable differences' on September 17, 2024. Lesley was awarded a temporary restraining order for domestic violence against David the week prior. Lesley listed her date of separation from David as September 8, 2024. She is seeking primary legal and physical custody of their little girl and has 'proposed David be awarded visitation.' While she is seeking spousal support, Lesley wants the court to 'terminate David's right to collect any support' and for him to pay her 'legal fees in the case.' As for their community property, In Touch noted that Lesley said that 'various community property assets, the full extent, nature and location are currently unknown at this time.' In response to her Lesley's petition, David challenged the the date of their split. He claimed they broke up on September 17, not September 8 as she had listed. He also wants joint legal and physical custody of their daughter and 'Lesley be paid spousal support per the terms of their prenuptial agreement.' Per, their prenup, he is willing to pay Lesley $10,000 a month. He noted that their prenuptial agreement, which they both agreed to on October 9, 2020, 'covers all assets and debts.' David also requested the court have Lesley pay her own legal fees. Lesley's divorce petition was filed days after she received a temporary restraining order against David, who she accused of being verbally abusive and creating a 'hostile environment for her and her children.' Lesley shares her two eldest children with a man named Eriks. On September 9, 2024 she claims David 'stormed outside' when her ex came to pick up their kids and yelled 'obscenities' at him. 'All the children were present and witnesses [David's] behavior toward Eriks. It was very scary. I recorded this whole incident and will provide the videos to the court,' Lesley said. She continued: 'After this incident I received about 59 harassing texts from [David] in a row telling me I was 'having sex with him,' 'I should go have sex with him,' and was accusing me of all kinds of things that could never be possible. [David] truly needs help. He gets in an obsessive mania state.' David has vehemently denied his estranged wife's abuse allegations. 'Lesley routinely tells me I am abusive when I disagree with her or make my opinions known. She has a habit of texting me consistently for hours at a time, trying to spark a reaction out of me. I believe Lesley is angry because I cut off the unlimited spending ability on her credit cards over the weekend,' he claimed. He went on to accuse Lesley of trying to extort him and insisted 'she is upset because' he 'cancelled her credit card with unlimited spending.' 'I am not required to sustain her lifestyle,' he stated. 'Lesley will spin whatever story she needs to spin in the correct circumstance to get what she wants.' A judge, ultimately, granted Lesley a temporary restraining order against David, which requires him to 'stay 100 yards away and out of their home until a hearing next month.' David was previously married to Shannon Beador between 2000 to 2019. The pair share daughters Sophie, 23, and twins Stella and Adeline, 21. In 2023, David previously filed for divorce from Lesley. The former reality star cited celeb-favorite 'irreconcilable differences' for the reason behind the filing and interestingly listed the date of separation as September 15, which was same date as the divorce filing. David and Lesley were married in October 2020 and welcomed their little girl just four months later. After the initial court filing in September 2023, Lesley had claimed that she was filing for divorce after he had his dismissed, but hers was also dismissed eventually. Then, in May 2023, the pair each filed for divorce again. She filed for divorce on May 29 while he filed for divorce one day later on May 30.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Sabrina Carpenter stays in same posh £25k-a-night London hotel as fellow pop queens
Scroll down to find out what Sabrina is doing to ensure her performance is flawless B&BEY Sabrina Carpenter stays in same posh £25k-a-night London hotel as fellow pop queens Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BEYONCE, Mariah Carey and Sabrina Carpenter are all regarded as music royalty – and I can reveal they all have the same taste in hotels. I have been told that Sabrina has hired out the £25,000-a-night penthouses her fellow pop queens stayed in at the five-star Corinthia London. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 9 Sabrina was spotted testing a crane in Hyde Park Credit: Supplied The Manchild hitmaker was at the swanky hotel during her sold-out British Summer Time gigs in Hyde Park this weekend. A source said: 'Sabrina only wanted to stay at the very best during her time in the capital. 'She has been working around the clock to perfect her performances and having a peaceful night's sleep is paramount to her. Working hard 'Stars love the Corinthia's old-school English charm. READ MORE ON SABRINA CARPENTER X-PRESSO How Sabrina Carpenter swapped Disney for controversy… from sex shock to affairs 'It is the place to be when staying in London.' Last month our sister column Bizarre revealed that Bey moved out of the plush hotel to make way for Mariah, who flew into London for Capital's Summertime Ball. The Crazy In Love singer was staying at the Corinthia's penthouses for her gigs at the Tottenham Stadium. Sabrina performed at BST Hyde Park last night and is due to take to the festival's Great Oak Stage tonight where she will be supported by singers Amber Mark, Olivia Dean and Clairo. And I have heard that the Espresso singer has been working hard to make sure her performance is flawless. An insider told me: 'Sabrina spent four days in Hyde Park last week rehearsing for her shows — that is the most an artist has ever dedicated to getting their set perfect. Sabrina Carpenter's new hit music video 'Manchild 'She had three backstage areas at BST — one for her band, another for her dancers and a private space for herself. 'The private area had its own veranda and a bed for her.' In Hyde Park earlier this week, she was spotted testing a crane, which forms part of her jaw-dropping show. Sounds like Sabrina will reign over the capital. 9 Sabrina has hired out the £25,000-a-night penthouses at the five-star Corinthia London Credit: Getty WORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY 9 Beyonce clamps her gnashers on a bottle of bubbly while wearing an eye-catching outfit Credit: Instagram 9 Jennifer Lopez looked super sweet as she posed with cupcakes Credit: Instagram BEYONCE got her teeth into Independence Day celebrations, clamping her gnashers on a bottle of bubbly while wearing an eye-catching outfit in Maryland. The Crazy In Love hitmaker, above, wowed in a star-clad chainmail bodysuit with a faux fur coat of the US flag draped over her shoulders at her concert at the Northwest Stadium on Friday. Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez looked super sweet as she posed with cupcakes, marking the special date on Instagram. Smiling J-Lo wished her 248million followers 'happy fourth of July' as she playfully held two of the iced treats over her bust. FAREWELL SABBATH FOR OZZY 9 Ozzy Osbourne took to his throne as the Prince of Darkness for his final performance Credit: Getty OZZY OSBOURNE took to his throne as the Prince of Darkness for his final performance with Black Sabbath last night. The Iron Man hitmaker was joined by his original bandmates Tony Iommi, Terence 'Geezer' Butler and Bill Ward for the Back To The Beginning concert at Villa Park in the band's home town of Birmingham. Ozzy, who has publicly battled Parkinson's disease in recent years, perched with his cloak draped ceremoniously around him. He was supported by wife Sharon Osbourne. His son Jack Osbourne spoke ahead of the momentous gig. Asked if Ozzy was nervous, he said: 'I think it is every emotion. He is so excited about performing again and so excited about getting on stage. 'December 2018 was the last time he did a full gig – that is how long it has been. 'This is the reunion that normally only happens, sadly, at someone's funeral – but it is so great to be here. It is the history of heavy metal in one venue. That kind of sums it up. It is a rollercoaster. 'I think this is most likely going to be his last full performance. But he still intends to make music.' And in true Ozzy style, he did not hold back with his final look. Ozzy's tailor Sir Tom Baker told Biz on Sunday that he had designed a leather 19th-century frock coat with a two-and-a-half metre train for the music legend. Sir Tom, who spent weeks on the outfit, explained: 'It's very high shine – it looks like water. We decorated it with leather trimming and gold skull buttons. It has dramatic, ghoulish shoulders.' Meanwhile, punk rocker Yungblud said he was invited by Sharon Osbourne to sing at Villa Park in support of Ozzy. He told me: 'I've known Ozzy for years. Uncle Ozzy, man. He gave me a gold cross a couple of years ago. So I've given him back one in return. 'To be a close personal friend of his now, and to be a member of the family with him – he's my blood.' Sir Tom added: 'Ozzy and Sharon are lovely people. They are stronger than ever – she dotes on him. It's lovely to see. 'They seem to trust each other implicitly. She has a say over matters, but he is just as strong in the balance.' Yungblud, who performed a cover of Black Sabbath ballad Changes last night, added of the gig: 'It's an honour to be a part of it. Ozzy has been one of my idols since I was two.' PAUL ON TIME FOR GRACIE 9 Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones among the crowd at British Summer Time in London's Hyde Park Credit: Eroteme 9 They were watching Paul's girlfriend Gracie Abrams perform Credit: Getty PAUL MESCAL and his Normal People co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones were still in the Glastonbury spirit on Friday night. The pair were among the crowd at British Summer Time in London's Hyde Park watching Paul's girlfriend Gracie Abrams perform with US singer Noah Kahan. An onlooker said: 'Paul was cutting it fine as he rushed through and grabbed his ticket. 'He beelined to the VIP section to watch from the Diamond area.' Last week I revealed Paul was singing along to Gracie's set on Glastonbury's Other Stage alongside pal Daisy. Meanwhile, Lewis Capaldi made a surprise appearance on the Great Oak Stage on Friday night following his comeback at Worthy Farm last week. Lewis, who is No1 with his new single Survive, joined Noah for the latter's track Northern Attitude at Hyde Park. Festival season is still in full swing. JUNGLE KING IN TV BLOW 9 Former King of the Jungle Sam Thompson Credit: Getty SAM THOMPSON is not returning to the spin-off show I'm A Celebrity: Unpacked as a permanent presenter. Instead former King of the Jungle Sam, who was a mainstay last year alongside Joel Dommett and Kemi Rodgers, will get a guest stint. A source said: 'Sam isn't returning full time, but Joel and Kemi definitely are. 'Apparently there was a schedule issue, but he's still part of the ITV family – in fact he's a busy man. "He's got DNA Journey which is now on air and was recently announced as part of (new prank show) Celebrity Sabotage.' Sam's been unlucky in love, after splitting with Zara McDermott and then Samie Elishi. Hopefully, his bromance with Pete Wicks is still going strong. MARGOT AI ALERT MARGOT ROBBIE has revealed her fears about using AI in the film industry. The Barbie actress, who founded production company LuckyChap Entertainment with her husband Tom Ackerley in 2014, said at Glastonbury's Pilton Palais cinema tent: 'I think filmmakers using it as a tool to enhance their vision is the best version of it. 'I think the fact that it is progressing so much faster than anyone can keep up with – and to create any sort of rules around it – then it is going to cause problems in our industry.' CROCKED SAM SCRAPS EURO FESTIVAL DATES 9 Sam Fender has suffered a vocal haemorrhage Credit: Redferns SAM FENDER has been forced to pull out of his European festival tour due to a vocal haemorrhage. The Seventeen Going Under singer revealed that he received the devastating diagnosis after headlining the British Grand Prix Opening Concert at Silverstone on Friday night. He posted on Instagram after his performance: 'At the beginning of the week I got my voice checked by my ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor and the cords were slightly swollen. 'After a few days' rest I was advised by my team that I was okay to perform. 'On stage at Silverstone I could feel that things were a lot harder than usual, I felt I needed to push a lot harder to sing – this is never a good sign. 'I've just been checked by my ENT again today, as I was concerned about it, and it's transpired that I have had a haemorrhage on one of my vocal cords.' Sam, who recently wrapped a huge UK summer stadium tour, has cancelled his upcoming performances at Rock Werchter in Belgium , Down The Rabbit Hole in The Netherlands, NOS Alive in Portugal and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. He added: 'I'm so sorry to everybody who is coming to those festivals with our show in mind. 'Our fans are the most important thing to us. 'I hate letting people down and I hate not being able to sing for weeks as it is my only real passion in life.' I hope you are back to feeling your best soon, Sam. ED'S TOP SONG FAILS TO SHAPE UP FOR HIM STREAMING service Apple Music has celebrated its tenth anniversary by crowning Ed Sheeran's 2017 hit Shape Of You as its most popular song, with more than 930 million plays. But Ed told Apple Music's Zane Lowe he has never considered it his best track. He said: 'I've never seen Shape Of You as that song for me, as the song that I will be remembered for. 'But it's weird – everywhere I go in the world, because we travel everywhere and we play everywhere, and we went to Bhutan recently, and that song kicked off there.' CAPITAL Radio host Will Manning has revealed that his wedding to girlfriend Georgia Haldenby will be filled with his favourite artists. He told Biz on Sunday: 'Mimi Webb is singing, Zak Abel and Tom Grennan.' The DJ, who recently released his latest track I Believe, will spin some tunes for his wedding guests at the Four Seasons in Hook, Hants, next month. STRICTLY star Tasha Ghouri has revealed that the BBC dance show has 'opened doors' for her career. The former Love Islander told me at the TRIC Awards in London: 'My demographic is bigger now, which is lovely. 'Strictly has definitely opened many more doors – especially with the BBC.' Tasha, who finished as runner-up last year, added: 'I have got some stuff coming up. 'I can't say, but it is super exciting.'
