Rita Ora announced as headliner of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Atlantic Records/Warner Music Group

Rita Ora has been announced as the headline act of this year’s scaled-back Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebrations.

The ‘Bang’ singer will take to the stage at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 6 March 2021. The entire parade will take place inside the venue, as opposed to all over Australia’s biggest city as in previous years.

While no floats are permitted, organisers are expecting 5,000 marchers.

Other performers at the ticketed event will include Electric Fields, Montaigne and G Flip.

“I’m so honoured”

In a statement, The Masked Singer star Rita said: “I’m so excited to announce I will be performing at this years @sydneymardigras at SCG!

“I’m so honoured to be able to celebrate with my LGBTQI+ family and everyone down under! I’ll be performing songs from my new EP Bang and some fan requests!”

Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger added: “The Parade is such a special event for the community. It is a loud, proud and welcoming celebration of community spirit and connectedness.”

“The move to the SCG has presented us with a unique opportunity to add to the spectacle of the Parade with some truly awe-inspiring performances and we are thrilled to have a worldwide superstar in Rita Ora join this once-in-a-lifetime Parade.

“As always we have a few more surprises in store for the night, so keep an eye out.”

Rita, also known for hits like ‘How We Do (Party)’ and ‘Lonely Together’, is currently in Australia to work as a coach on The Voice.

Her trip follows huge controversy here in the UK late last year, after the Twist actress broke lockdown rules to celebrate her 30th birthday with a gathering of friends at a restaurant.

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