⁠The Masked Singer's Rita Ora and Taika Waititi relationship explored 

When Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi removed the Lucky Duck mask on the April 30 episode of The Masked Singer, no one was more stunned than his own wife, judge Rita Ora.

"Are you kidding me?" she exclaimed as confetti showered the stage.

This surprise revelation showcased just one moment in the couple's intertwining personal and professional lives.

The Masked Singer turned out to be an unlikely stage for one of Hollywood’s most fun-loving couples to share a surprise moment, only this time, Rita Ora had no idea her husband was in on the act.

Taika Waititi’s undercover performance not only shocked the judges but also gave fans a glimpse into the playful bond he shares with Rita. The two started out as friends for six years before things turned romantic in 2021, and they’ve been navigating the world of music, film, and TV together ever since. Rita has even called their relationship her “fairytale,” and this surprise appearance just added another chapter filled with mystery, music, and a whole lot of love.

Rita Ora and Taika Waititi’s journey to marriage

The foundation of Rita and Taika's relationship was built on friendship long before romantic feelings emerged. During a February 2023 appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Rita revealed the origins of their connection.

"He's so, so great. We're friends, and we met long before we decided to ruin everything,We were friends for six years," she quipped.

Their shift from friends to partners happened while both were working in Australia. The public first caught wind of potential romance in April 2021 when Rita posted a photo embracing Taika on Instagram, captioned with a heart emoji.

By August 2021, they made their first official appearance as a couple at the Los Angeles premiere of The Suicide Squad, in which Taika played Ratcatcher.

The couple quietly married in 2022 in what Rita described as a "very small" and "just nice and perfect" ceremony. She officially confirmed their marriage during a January 2023 Heart Breakfast interview, declaring:

"I am officially off the market, people!"

Their partnership quickly expanded beyond personal boundaries into professional collaboration. Together, they co-hosted the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards in Düsseldorf, Germany, an event Rita had previously hosted twice before.

Taika's influence became particularly evident in Rita's 2023 album "You & I." The title track was written the day after their wedding, with Rita telling PEOPLE magazine she approached producer Cirkut, saying:

"Listen dude, I got married yesterday. I'm very hungover, but I think we should write the ultimate wedding song."

The album's first two singles featured music videos directed by Waititi himself. Rita appreciated their creative synergy, noting:

"I love bouncing ideas with him. It's really cool and easy, and he's got really great perspective and taste."

The Masked Singer surprise

Their most unexpected collaboration occurred on The Masked Singer's 13th season. While Rita served as a regular judge, the mysterious Lucky Duck character made periodic appearances throughout the season.

During the April 30 The Masked Singer semi-finals, Lucky Duck performed Queen's "I Want to Break Free" before the big reveal—it was Taika all along. Rita's genuine shock made for compelling television as she playfully scolded her husband.

"I thought you were the most annoying thing on this whole show," she joked while approaching him for a kiss.

She then added supportively:

"This is kind of your dream come true. You've always wanted to be a pop star. This is your moment."

When host Nick Cannon asked how Waititi kept his participation secret, he explained:

"The main reason I wanted to do this is because it's the only way I was going to see my wife 'cause you guys got her working so hard I never see her. How I kept it a secret, she's always here, so it was easy."

What makes Rita and Taika's relationship distinctive is their ability to maintain individual careers while finding meaningful ways to collaborate. Rita once told PEOPLE:

"My biggest supporter and advocate is Taika," highlighting how their personal connection strengthens their professional endeavors.

Their The Masked Singer moment represents just one chapter in an ongoing story of creative minds finding harmony both on and off screen. From red carpets to recording studios to reality TV surprises, the couple continues to blend their bond with professional pursuits.

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The Masked Singer airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on FOX and streams the next day on Hulu and FOX Now.