Rita Ora has claimed Sabrina Carpenter is snubbing her and “won’t text her back” in a candid new interview, though she later walked back the remark as a joke. The pop singer, 34, said Carpenter, 26, now appears uncontactable even though the two previously hung out and sparked speculation of a collaboration.
Ora shared the claim during the In Your Dreams With Owen Thiele podcast, recounting a New Year’s Eve invite that she extended to Carpenter when the latter hadn’t yet reached global fame with Espresso, Carpenter’s hit from the following year. “They [Sabrina] came and it was amazing. I think it was like the peak before Espresso [Sabrina’s hit track] and you can’t get hold of Sabrina any more,” Ora said, describing a moment she framed as lightheartedly tongue‑in‑cheek. “It was that time she would text me back.”
The remark prompted laughter on the show, but Ora quickly clarified that she had exaggerated for comic effect. “No, I get it. I’m busy too. No I’m so... I’m exaggerating. She does text me back. She’s so sweet,” she added, insisting there is no real estrangement between them. The exchange sits against a backdrop of renewed fan interest in whether the pair might collaborate, fueled in part by past social media posts that hinted at a possible project.
The exchange comes about a year after Ora sparked online chatter about a Sabrina Carpenter collaboration when she shared throwback snaps of the two stars together. One gallery post featured Ora alongside Carpenter and South African singer Tyla at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve party, which Ora co‑hosted. In accompanying captions, Ora hinted at momentum for 2024 goals, writing that it wasn’t too late “to start that thing you’d said you’d do.” The post fed fan speculation about a future joint project, but Ora subsequently walked back those insinuations as well, reiterating that Carpenter texts her back and is “so sweet.”
Sabrina Carpenter’s orbit has been marked by high‑profile attention in recent years, including a controversial album cover for Man’s Best Friend that drew backlash from some fans who found the imagery provocative. Carpenter defended the creative direction in the wake of online criticism, but the controversy underscored how closely her every move is scrutinized in the public eye.
Meanwhile, Ora has faced growing attention in another corner of the London lifestyle beat. Reports surfaced last month that she was entangled in a dispute with neighbors over plans for a state‑of‑the‑art gym in the garden of her £7.5 million Grade II‑listed home. The Sun reported that her architect’s plans envisioned a sunken courtyard facility that would sit adjacent to a block of flats, drawing objections from residents who argued the development could bring artificial lighting, amplified sound, and a loss of privacy. The objections highlighted concerns about maintaining the neighborhood’s tranquil character and peaceful living standards in an area steeped in history and architecture. The Daily Mail reached out to a representative for Ora for comment at the time.
Regardless of the real status of any potential collaboration with Carpenter, Ora’s public remarks have kept the spotlight on how two young pop stars navigate friendship, fame, and the rumor mill in the age of social media. Both artists have continued to release music and perform at major events, but their on‑record interactions have become a talking point for fans who monitor every social cue for hints of a joint project.
The period of scrutiny around Ora and Carpenter coincides with a broader wave of entertainment news that blends glossy party photos, online speculation about collaborations, and the sometimes brutal reactions that accompany a celebrity’s creative choices. In Ora’s case, the mix of humor and clarification suggests an awareness of how fast a single offhand remark can travel—from a private moment at a party to a possible future hit and, ultimately, to the gossip pages of major outlets.
As both artists pursue their separate career paths, fans can expect continued attention on their public appearances, new music releases, and any official word about collaborations. For now, Ora’s latest remarks appear to be a reminder of the blurred lines between friendship, networking, and narrative in contemporary pop culture.