‘America’s Next Top Model’: Rita Ora Is Actually A Very, Very, Very Good Host

Pop culture internet has a punching bag and her name is Rita Ora.

Rita Ora is an international superstar whose fame beguiles American critics. Sure, she’s pretty. Yes, she can sing. She did “co-star” in 50 Shades of Grey. And once upon a time she was Taylor Swift’s ex-boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend. The thing is a lot of Americans know that they should know who Rita Ora is, but they don’t really know why or how or what they know her from. Because she exists in an odd Bermuda Triangle of fame, where she is simultaneously famous, not famous, and famous for being maligned as “not famous” all at once, Rita Ora has morphed into something of a punchline among twitter and blogger circles. The tag “WHO” accompanies all Ora articles on Jezebel and a September 2016 post on Oh No They Didn’t was titled “the newly appointed patron saint of ‘who?’ rita ora to perform at the vatican.” Behold the first comments:

So when Ora took over the reins of America’s Next Top Model, some people were skeptical. Could the pop star/actress/entrepreneur/whatever really live up to Tyra Banks’ legacy? Our own recapper, Rae Sanni, shaded Ora in her first introduction, dubbing her “Not Rihanna.” And if you think we’re being harsh, Binta Dibba (the last contestant eliminated from the show), blanked on Rita Ora’s name in her exit interview!!! This is a thing that happened! You can watch the video here because it’s real!

The plot twist? It turns out that Rita Ora is actually a very, very, very good host of America’s Next Top Model. In fact, she’s not just good — she’s pretty freaking great. She’s charming, empathetic, and composed. She rides the line between being a perfect example of a boss and the epitome of that popular girl you wish would be your best friend. She has a natural ease on camera that’s hard to find. In short, I’m beginning to wonder if this is what Rita Ora should have been doing this whole time: hosting reality show competitions.

Tyra Banks’ voracious ego was once one of the sterling hallmarks of “old” America’s Next Top Model. Her photos were hung everywhere. She literally sang the opening credits song — and designed an elimination challenge around its music video. She made the contestants partake in humiliating challenges that mirrored important moments in her own life. Oh, and she dressed up like a superhero as much as she possibly could.

Unlike Banks, Ora floats in and out of the show when needed. You get the sense that she has other things going on and that hosting America’s Next Top Model is her good deed for the week. When she does visit the girls before a photo shoot, she’s there to offer sincere support. Ora gives the contestants a boost of confidence and then mugs just enough for the camera to assert her own status. She winks at her own stardom, but never makes herself the focus outside of a key joke or two. In other words, she acts like the show’s host and not the show’s star.

Rita Ora really shines where it counts the most: in “Judges’ Panel.”

I’ve noticed a trend with Ora’s critiques: she’s effusive for the best, harsh on the middling, and sweetly disappointed in the worst. I think this is a really effective strategy for mentoring! These shows are always riddled with messy mind games (and the rest of Ora’s panel is more than happy to snarl at any of the girls’ perceived weaknesses), but Ora illustrates tactics that reward success and buffer the blows of defeat. When she sees someone failing to deliver, she explains that she’s upset because she wanted to see more from them — intimating that the keys to success are there, just hidden. For the girls who are complaining, coasting, or self-sabotaging (but safe), she strikes tougher hits. Why? Because these are the ones who need a little bit of a kick to get out of their own heads. There was a great moment in Monday night’s episode where Courtney started explaining that her photo sucked because she had allergies and Ora literally started laughing. It makes Ora seem like less of a judge and more like a big sister (who can fire you via a dissolving digital photo whenever it suits her).

My favorite Rita Ora moment this season actually happened early on. In Episode 2, 18-year-old Justine’s dreams are crushed when she’s the first finalist cut from the competition. As she slumps to the floor like a couture rollypolly bug, Ora gets on the ground to meet her. What does Ora say to comfort her? When she was 18-years-old, she was just selling sneakers in a shop. So from Ora’s point of view, the sky is still the limit for the despondent teenager. Tyra Banks was fond of these kinds of speeches, but they always veered into bragging. Ora’s story didn’t just smack of humility, but she delivered it with what seemed to be legitimate heart.

So, yeah, I’m kind of a big Rita Ora fan right now. I know, I’m surprised, too, but she’s an awesome America’s Next Top Model host and I’m not afraid to say it. That said, I also have trouble remembering any songs she’s recorded. There’s one about love, right? It has a dance beat?

America’s Next Top Model switches to its new time slot, Wednesdays at 10/9 C, tonight on VH1.

Stream 'America's Next Top Model' on VH1