Rita Ora and boyfriend Taika Waititi cosy up at Kate Beckinsale’s 48th birthday party… after THAT three-way kiss with Tessa Thompson
Thor director Taika Waititi and singer Rita Ora went public with their unlikely romance just three months ago.
And the couple looked loved-up on Tuesday as they attended Kate Beckinsale’s lion-themed 48th birthday party.
Photos from the soirée show the pair cosying up in Kate’s LA home, while rubbing shoulders with other famous guests, including Australian actor Jai Courtney.
Going strong! Taika Waititi and Rita Ora looked loved-up on Tuesday as they attended Kate Beckinsale’s 48th birthday party in LA. Pictured (L-R): Kate Beckinsale, her daughter Lily Sheen, Taika Waititi, Rita Ora, Dave Schechter (crouching), Jai Courtney and Damson Idris
Other photos show Rita, 30, and her New Zealand-born beau, 45, pulling silly poses while standing next to decorative lion statues in the backyard.
Proving the maxim that ‘couples who dress together stay together’, the lovebirds both wore matching all-black outfits.
Also attending the exclusive bash was American actress Laverne Cox, British actor Damson Idris and Kate’s daughter Lily Sheen.
It’s Leo season! Kate posted photos of the backyard decorated with realistic lion statues
Time to party! Kate uploaded a video of herself being serenaded by guests as a cake topped with sparklers ignited in front of her
Taika and Rita made headlines in May when they were spotted engaging in a three-way kiss with actress Tessa Thompson, 37, on the balcony of his Sydney home.
The trio locked lips after partying through the night during a break from filming Marvel sequel Thor: Love and Thunder, which is slated for a May 2022 release.
Tessa plays Valkyrie, the first LGBT character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while Rita was in Sydney filming her judging role on The Voice Australia.
No dramas: Taika and Rita made headlines in May when they were spotted engaging in a three-way kiss with actress Tessa Thompson (left, in July 2019) on the balcony of his Sydney home
Taika later insisted the kiss was ‘no big deal’, despite reports he was ‘reprimanded’ by Marvel executives for his behaviour.
When asked if he was upset by the media attention the photos received, the filmmaker told ET Canada: ‘Not really. I think in the world of the Internet, everything goes away pretty quick.
‘And also, “Is it that big a deal?” No, not really. I was doing nothing wrong. It’s fine.’
Work and pleasure: Taika later insisted the smooch was ‘no big deal’, despite reports he was ‘reprimanded’ by Marvel executives for his behaviour. Pictured on June 26
While there is no suggestion he did anything wrong, reports later emerged that executives at the Disney-owned Marvel Studios weren’t happy.
‘[It’s] not exactly the image they’re looking to project in relation to one of their biggest franchises,’ an industry insider said at the time.
The source added that Taika’s reputation for being a ‘party animal’ was no secret at Marvel, but the photos nonetheless ‘crossed the line’.
Taika was married to fellow Kiwi filmmaker Chelsea Winstanley from 2011 to 2018. The former couple share two children, Te Hinekaahu, eight, and Matewa, five.
Famous role: Tessa plays Valkyrie, who is noted for being the first LGBT characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Pictured here in 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok
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