Rita Ora made a bad decision, and now she's paying for it.
The British pop star turned 30 on Nov. 26. To celebrate — despite strict COVID-19 rules in effect in London as coronavirus cases surge — she threw a party at a West London restaurant on Nov. 28 that, according to The Sun, was attended by about 30 friends.
The breach drew the attention of police and upset some fans. A source told The Sun that Rita voluntarily paid a £10,000 fine (about $13,000). Authorities were photographed paying her a visit at home on the morning of Nov. 30.
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Early the same morning, Rita posted an apology on her Instagram Stories. "Hello all, I attended a small gathering with some friends to celebrate my 30th birthday. It was a spur of the moment decision made with the misguided view that we were coming out of lockdown and this would be OK… I'm deeply sorry for breaking the rules and in turn understand that this puts people at risk," she began.
"This was a serious and inexcusable error of judgement. Given the restrictions, I realise how irresponsible these actions were and I take full responsibility," she continued.
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Rita added, "I feel particularly embarrassed knowing first-hand how hard people have worked to combat this terrible illness and being fully aware of the sacrifices that people and businesses have made to help keep us all safe. Even though this won't make it right, I want to sincerely apologise."
The pop star further told The Sun she is "deeply sorry for breaking the rules."
According to The Sun, models Poppy and Cara Delevingne were among Rita's guests at Casa Cruz restaurant in London's Notting Hill neighborhood.
"Rita and her sister came to the restaurant first, all dolled up and clearly looking forward to a good night," an insider told The Sun. "There were a number of guests, all dressed up very glamorously, and everyone entered the building through the back, with security watching the front to make sure no one else went in. It went on until the early hours."