After many years of silence, British singer Rita Ora has finally opened up about the emotional toll of being accused of being “Becky with the good hair,” the woman Beyoncé sang about in her 2016 hit album Lemonade, allegedly referring to someone who had an affair with her husband, Jay-Z.
It has been nearly a decade since the release of Lemonade, an album that shook the entertainment world. One of its most talked-about songs, “Sorry,” features Beyoncé referencing a mysterious woman who may have been involved in the troubles within her marriage. The line “He only want me when I’m not there / He better call Becky with the good hair” sparked endless speculation and finger-pointing.
Among those caught in the crossfire was Rita Ora, who was signed to Jay-Z’s label, Roc Nation, at the time. Fans were quick to accuse her of being the so-called Becky, partly because she posted photos on social media wearing a bra with lemon designs — seemingly a nod to Lemonade. These coincidences led many to believe she was subtly confirming her involvement.
However, in a recent interview with E! News, Rita Ora opened up about how deeply hurt she was by the rumors, which she says unfairly damaged her public image and caused her to lose fans. She also expressed her gratitude to Beyoncé for showing her kindness during that turbulent time.
She said, “First of all, I absolutely love Beyoncé and have the utmost respect for her — not just because she’s an incredible artist, but also because she’s a genuinely kind human being. The truth is, none of those rumors were true. Nothing ever happened… uuuh, I was shocked myself.”
Rita firmly denied ever being the mysterious “Becky with the good hair,” and said it was painful to be seen as someone who would try to break up a family — especially one she deeply admired.
