The Masked Singer 2026: Why Rita Ora isn't on the ITV show and her reason for quitting
The singer is one of the original judgesThe Masked Singer is back – but fans are wondering why Rita Ora still isn’t on the ITV show.
Rita is one of the OG judges and helped launch The Masked Singer in the UK with Jonathan Ross and Davina McCall.
But she still isn’t back on the panel and Maya Jama is still sitting tight in her space.
Here, we explain why Rita Ora isn’t on The Masked Singer UK and her reason for quitting.
The Masked Singer UK: Why Rita Ora isn’t on
Rita joined the judging panel of The Masked Singer UK when the show first launched on ITV in 2020.
She was a regular judge on the show for the first five series, overseeing the unmasking of winners including Nicola Roberts (Queen Bee), Joss Stone (Sausage) and Danny Jones (Piranha).
Initially, Rita sat alongside Jonathan, Davina and fellow OG judge, Ken Jeong. But after the first series, Ken was replaced by Mo Gilligan, who is still a judge today.
But in September 2024, it was announced Rita had quit The Masked Singer. Maya Jama was revealed as her replacement.
Why did Rita quit?
Initially, Rita did not address why she had quit The Masked Singer. The news she had left was only confirmed when ITV announced the judging line-up for the 2025 series.
Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment & Daytime Commissioning at ITV, said at the time: “The Masked Singer is back and promises to kick off 2025 with a bang.
“TV’s favourite guessing game welcomes the sensational Maya Jama who will be joining our expert detectives, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan all alongside Joel Dommett. We can’t wait.”
Rita later posted a look at her jam-packed schedule for 2025 on Instagram, and it included plenty of music gigs, film work and commercial brand partnerships.
She had already ducked out of several episodes of series 5 of The Masked Singer due to a conflict of schedules – and it seemed she just couldn’t make it work.
Is Rita Ora on The Masked Singer US?
In late 2023, it was confirmed Rita would also be joining the judging panel of The Masked Singer US.
She initially signed up to the American version of the show as a guest judge to replace Nicole Scherzinger.
At the time, Rita gushed online: “So happy the secret is finally out. I’m joining the @maskedsingerfox US! Can’t wait to try and guess who’s behind the mask with the other panelists.”
However, since then, Rita has remained in the job permanently. And she is still on the show today. Rita sits alongside Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg and – her old pal – Ken Jeong.
The new season of The Masked Singer US, featuring Rita as a judge, is due to premiere on January 7, 2026.
Filming for the new American series took place between October and November 2025. The UK version was also shot in September and October last year. This makes it impossible for Rita to appear in both shows.
Is Rita Ora ever coming back to the UK version?
The jury’s out on whether Rita will ever return to the UK version of The Masked Singer, as she has never formerly addressed her exit.
But from all the evidence, it appears she feels more at home on the US show than over on this side of the pond.
The Americas have also really warmed to the British-Kosovan star. Earlier this week, Rita took a starring role when ringing in the New Year in New York.
This is the third time Rita has co-hosted New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest from Times Square. The 2025/26 show was its longest yet, lasting a whopping eight hours.
Rita said to her Instagram fans on the day: “Currently in prep mode which is hectic with little sleep (except in the car between press haha), but I love every minute of it. I can’t wait for the buzzy energy of the countdown at 11:59… it’s unlike anything else!”
Bye then, Rita. Sob.
Read more: The Masked Singer 2026: ITV confirms Perrie Edwards and other celebrity guest judges
