WITH an unending stream of free-flowing booze, a caviar bar, platters of cigarettes and guests becoming ever more raucous on the dancefloor, it was Ibiza's hottest and most exclusive party.
A-listers including Sasha Baron Cohen, Matt Damon and Kate Moss mingled with the internet's sexiest influencers at the Great Gatsby-style bash Rita Ora threw for husband Taika Waititi's 50th last month. And we have the eye-watering inside scoop on what REALLY happened as the sun went down.
As birthday bashes go, this was one for Hollywood actor and filmmaker Taika was one for the Tinsel Town history books.
Wearing a plunging bra top, sheer dress and her megawatt smile, Rita strutted around the luxury Ibiza villa, mingling with the creme de la creme of Hollywood and the internet's top influencers.
Fuelled by free booze, cigarettes and live music, the star and her husband partied into the early hours as guests grew more amorous and rowdy, with insiders describing it as "utter hedonism, oozing luxury and a lot of love".
Most importantly, everyone there knows not to talk.
Party insider
The insider told me: "It's no secret that Rita and Taika let loose when they aren't working. Over the years, there have been some very memorable bashes, and this one was no different.
"Everyone was in very high spirits, and things ended up getting pretty wild."
To ensure that what happened in Ibiza stayed in Ibiza, the pair had hired the holiday home of two close friends – financier Max Gottschalk and his wife Jane – famous for its onsite club.
It was here – thanks to a clever seating plan – that newly single Sacha Baron Cohen, who finalised a £120million divorce from Isla Fisher in June, met the gorgeous OnlyFans model Hannah Palmer.
'Brimming with beautiful people'
As is the case at all events by Hot Right Now hitmaker Rita, the guest list was cleverly curated with the help of her loyal sidekick and party-planner extraordinaire, Vas J Morgan, who appeared on Towie from 2014 to 2019.
It was the former reality star who got his pal Hannah an invite and helped ensure the party was brimming with beautiful people, as well as A-listers including Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso, Cara Delevingne, Sebastian Stan, Joel Edgerton, Kate Moss,and Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan.
A source said: "Only a close-knit group was invited.
"Hannah is a super fun girl and is as clever as she is beautiful. Sacha is a very lucky man to have bagged a date with her. She's a real catch."
The connection between the pair – who were spotted out for dinner after – has since been played down, with insiders saying: "Sacha has given her some advice regarding Hollywood and acting."
The bash boasted a sit-down meal and a top DJ in the private club – but it was the silver platters and bowls of cigarettes that really got people talking.
Fans might have been shocked to see smoking being glamorised and criticised the couple for flaunting their wealth – but those close to party lover Rita say it just reflects her sense of freedom and fun.
'A classic Rita party'
The insider said: "The whole event was very indulgent, very hedonistic – a classic Rita party.
"Beautiful influencers rubbing shoulders with Hollywood A-listers certainly creates an electric atmosphere and most importantly everyone there knows not to talk."
The party was so legendary that Rita has even vowed off throwing another for the foreseeable future.
She told us over the weekend: "I know that I will never organise another party again.
"I was so stressed out. I am scarred – throwing a party is not easy, especially when it is on a level like that.
"His friends are obviously not Joe across the road. I am like, are they going to be fine? Where are they going to sit? Everything was so much stress.
"It was his 50th so I wanted everything to be great – and it was beautiful, actually.
"I am proud that it turned out really well."
Party trouble
It's not the first time Rita's love of partying has hit headlines – back in 2020 she came under fire for hosting a secret 30th birthday bash at a London restaurant during Covid lockdown.
The venue was offered a £5,000 bung to break Covid rules by representatives of the star and she was later had to apologise to fans for her 'selfish antics'.
Prior to that, in 2015, Rita's partying also came under question when neighbours complained about the noise levels from her flat at the time.
The neighbours in her swanky west London apartment allegedly got tired of the loud music and contacted her landlord and after several complaints, Rita was apparently evicted.
A source at the time said: "Rita has been told about the noise before but she ignored it and now the landlord says she has to go.
"This isn't the first time she's been threatened with eviction but it's much more serious now. Rita lives in a nice building with a lot of older neighbours who aren't happy with her."
Just two years later, she faced similar issues in her new flat, with an insider revealing: "Rita has only been living there for a few months but the neighbors are up in arms.
"She plays music loud and late at night, and both she and her boyfriend have guests and friends over at all hours."
It's perhaps not surprising behaviour for a woman whose debut album featured the hit song How We Do (Party), which was all about – you guessed it – partying.
Throuple claims and passionate snogs
Before they got married, Taika and Rita – whose dad owns a pub – also raised eyebrows when they snuggled up to Tessa Thompson on a balcony after one of their parties.
Rumours swirled that they were in a throuple after they were spotted enjoying a three-way smooch.
At the time Tessa was seeing model Zac Stenmark and was even pictured kissing him on the same day she had fun with her Thor director Taika and Rita.
Rita later laughed it of and blaming the booze, saying: "Have you ever been in a situation where you've had a lot of drinks and everyone's your best friend?
"And then the next day, you're like, 'I was talking to this person in the smoking area for four hours and I've got no idea who they are?'
"Literally – that [photo] was just a bunch of friends having a good time. They [Taika and Tessa, who he directed in Thor] had a crazy schedule and everyone was letting loose."
A year later in 2022, Rita and Taika enjoyed a small and very intimate wedding after she popped the question.
It seems being married hasn't slowed down their partying and why should it?
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