Honestly, nobody saw it coming. When Disney announced that British pop star Rita Ora would be stepping into the iconic, terrifying shoes of the Queen of Hearts for Descendants: The Rise of Red, the internet had questions. Could the "Anywhere" singer actually pull off the "Off with their heads!" energy? Or would it just be another case of a famous face being dropped into a franchise for the sake of a billboard?
As it turns out, she didn't just pull it off. She owned it.
Rita Ora Queen of Hearts isn't just a casting choice; it's a total reinvention of a character we’ve seen a dozen times before. Forget the shouting, bumbling version from the 1951 animated classic. Ora brought something much more calculated—and surprisingly vulnerable—to the screen.
Breaking Down the Rita Ora Queen of Hearts Vibe
It’s all in the eyes. Seriously. If you watch her scenes closely, especially the moment she sentences Cinderella to a grim fate, there’s this wide-eyed, slightly deranged look that feels genuinely unsettling. It's not just "Disney villain" scary; it’s "unpredictable tyrant" scary.
Ora has been pretty open about her process for this. She didn't want to just mimic Helena Bonham Carter’s version from the Tim Burton films. Instead, she went to "villain training camp." She looked at drag queens for inspiration—studying how they use grace, silence, and sudden, sharp movements to command a room.
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The result? A Queen who doesn't need to scream to be heard.
She moves with a cold, subtle stiffness. It’s like she’s a coiled spring waiting to snap. And let’s be real, wearing those costumes probably helped. Ora mentioned in interviews that the outfit was basically a structural feat of engineering. We're talking three layers of skirts, two corsets, and a headpiece so heavy it made her worry about her neck during long shooting days. But that physical restriction actually helped her find the character’s "less is more" movement style.
The Mother-Daughter Messiness
What makes the Rita Ora Queen of Hearts stand out in the Descendants universe is the relationship with her daughter, Red (played by the talented Kylie Cantrall). Most Disney villains are just... bad. They want power. They want the crown.
But this version of the Queen of Hearts is driven by a deep, lingering hurt.
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The Rise of Red is basically a time-travel heist movie. Red and Chloe (Cinderella’s daughter) have to go back in time to stop a prank that supposedly turned a sweet girl named Bridget into the bitter, red-obsessed monarch. This adds a layer of "nature vs. nurture" that the earlier movies didn't always dive into.
Ora and Cantrall decided early on to keep the relationship "cold." No hugs. No warmth. Just a psychological power struggle. It makes the ending—where the timeline is altered—feel a lot more earned, even if some fans felt the resolution was a bit too fast.
Why "Love Ain't It" is a Certified Bop
You can't have Rita Ora in a movie and not give her a song. "Love Ain't It" is easily one of the highlights of the soundtrack. It’s a massive, theatrical number where she basically explains her philosophy of life: power is the only thing that matters, and love is a weakness.
The vocals are vintage Ora—strong, pitch-perfect, but with a new "growl" she added for the character. She’s not just singing; she’s performing a manifesto. It’s campy, it’s dark, and it perfectly bridges the gap between her pop career and her new identity as a Disney antagonist.
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What’s Next for the Queen?
If you thought The Rise of Red was the end, you’re in for a treat.
Disney has already confirmed a sequel, currently titled Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, set to drop in the summer of 2026. Rita Ora is officially returning. This is a big deal because it means we’ll get to see the "new" version of the Queen of Hearts—the one from the altered timeline.
Fans are already speculating on Reddit about what this means for her wardrobe. Will we see more pink? Will the "Bridget" side of her personality start to leak into her adult self? Early production rumors suggest the sequel will explore the Wonderland we haven't seen yet, and Ora is reportedly leaning even further into the theatricality of the role.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you're a fan of the franchise or just curious about how Rita Ora managed this transition, here is the takeaway:
- Study the "Villain Arc": If you're a writer or actor, look at how Ora used physical stillness. Sometimes the scariest characters are the ones who don't move at all.
- Watch the Prequel Context: To really "get" Ora’s performance, you have to see Ruby Rose Turner as young Bridget. The contrast makes Ora's performance much more tragic.
- Keep an Eye on 2026: With Wicked Wonderland on the horizon, expect a shift in the Descendants aesthetic. The "red vs. pink" color palette is likely going to be a major theme in the upcoming merchandise and marketing.
Whether you're there for the music, the time-travel shenanigans, or just to see what kind of wild crown she wears next, one thing is certain: Rita Ora found her niche as a villain. She’s already said she only wants to play baddies from now on. Honestly? We should let her.