I watched The Voice last year for the very first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was let down only by the simpering Kylie, draping herself provocatively over every young man within a ten metre radius.
This season then I was looking forward to something different, so imagine my despair when it turned out that Rita Ora was even worse. Seriously, did you see her with the firefighter? It was pathetic.
It’s not just pathetic, it’s actually offensive. If she was a man behaving this way with women would we think it was acceptable? What would we have to say to a man who felt it appropriate to go up onto the stage and start touching one of the contestants in a bid to secure them for his team?
This is the woman of course who last year actually ripped off Zac Efron’s shirt on stage at an award ceremony, so we should have known what to expect. What is the matter with this woman? If a man decides he fancies a look at a woman’s breasts and rips her top off in public for a look is that now totally fine??
(I am not going to put a picture of the incident in here, although the internet is plastered with it because obviously it’s completely acceptable behaviour.)
It’s so frustrating to watch as a woman. How can we properly fight against the objectification of women with people like Rita Ora going around behind us undoing years of campaigning for equality, for a society where people aren’t judged on their looks or gender?
How must the contestants feel when the only thing she can think to say is how handsome they are? This isn’t a beauty parent – these people are hear to be judged on their voice. That’s the whole point of the show isn’t it? Her childish, sexist behaviour completely undermines the entire ethos of the programme.
You sense that even the other judges are starting to feel uncomfortable. There was a moment a few weeks ago where Rita was bleating on about some young boy being handsome and Ricky made a comment about how he turned for their voice, not because of their looks. Ouch.
I can’t be the only one who finds her ridiculous can I? What do you think of her as an addition to The Voice?
Excellent blog post. Excellent point. I was annoyed at Kylie and I’m even more annoyed at Rita Ora. Treat men with the respect we want from them!
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Exactly! Do unto others and all that. She makes me cringe.
I completely agree with you on this. It happens so often (far too often!) and as you say if it was the other way round there’d be bedlam!
This may have been meant to be amusing but this is not entertaining. This fawning debases women. Excellent point too, Anna, about respect.
Light hearted entertainment anyone? Anyone notice that attractive young women like to show their body? Men like flirting too and pop stars of all sexes are a bit sexier than the rest of us? Shall we tell flirty young women to shut up? That doesn’t seem very free to me.
I feel exactly the same. I do get rather cross with Ricky’s outrageous flirting too but at least he doesn’t go up and touch women!
I do agree with you and she lacks brains as well!!!
she really irritates me! she often compliments someone on their looks (or talks about it more) than their actual voice. which is why they went on the show. if i was on that show for some reason i’d be giving her some side eye.
I think she is so inappropriate!! I find it almost awkward to watch as she is so flirty with the men, and I hate the way after saying something sleazy she will then go and touch them. She’s the female equivalent of a pervy builder! x
ugh, just ugh. I completely agree with you! I’ve watched it a few times and have definitely noticed she likes to comment on peoples looks more than their voice – It’s called the bloomin voice for a reason?!
I am endlessly frustrated by the way female singers represent themselves, really has gone too far. Well said.
ha we don’t have TV so I don’t think I’ve ever watched this (I know I’m a granny) but I’ve heard lots of people say the same thing on FB! x
I really enjoyed the two previous series of The Voice but haven’t tuned in this time, partly because I just wasn’t that into Rita Ora and I think I might have been right to do so! x
It’s been cringeworthy. I’d be ashamed, very publicity seeking. I’m sure she’s not like it all the time though…just a front.
This personalized attack against Rita is uncalled for! This is the Voice! This is entertainment! It is not some academic conference, political event, Parliamentary hearing or formal event that call for some formal behaviour. Rita has done well really. If Rita is ‘accused’ of flirting, then Emma’s touching and embracing contestants should be counted as flirty. Then Sir Jones’ comments regarding Sasha should be considered flirty. Then the hugging and kissing between coaches and their contestants should be considered flirty. I don’t expect anything less from Rita. Her behaviour are typical with events like the Voice. Jesse J, Kyle Minogue were no different. Rita should not be singled out for lampoon. All female judges on the X-factor do the same. I don’t see any reason why such behaviour demean women! No. It does not. If it were some other formal events, then I could agree more but for an entertainment show like the Voice, Rita’s performance has been superb!