Collaboration featuring international stars Claudia Leitte & Raja Kumari
Rita Wilson celebrates International Women’s Day in partnership with Zumba with her new electrifying track, “Hello World.” The track is a dance-infused, infectious collaboration featuring guest vocals from Brazilian star and Zumba international ambassador Claudia Leitte and famed Indian-American rapper Raja Kumari (Gwen Stefani, Fall Out Boy). Co-written by the multi-talented group of Wilson, Kumari, Lindgren (BTS, Dua Lipa), Melanie Fontana (Justin Bieber, BlackPink), Sam Hollander (Panic! At The Disco, Katy Perry) and Sergio Minski (Head of Music, Zumba), it was also produced by Lindgren, Sergio Minski and Melanie Fontana. The visually colorful music video features Zumba instructors and students from over 15 countries.
On the heels of the single release, Wilson will host a free Zumba class on March 8th commemorating International Women’s Day. For every person who registers for the class, Zumba will donate $1 (up to $10,000) to Women In Music, the industry’s leading non-profit working to advance the awareness, equality, diversity, heritage, opportunities, and cultural aspects of women in the musical arts through education, support, empowerment and recognition. The class will be led by one of their top instructors, Gina Grant. Additionally, Zumba instructors in 186 countries will be using “Hello World” in their live and virtual classes available on zumba.dance.
“Hello World” is a bridge connecting women of all backgrounds and ages through the power of music, movement, diversity and strength. After a universally challenging year, the song is a welcome anthem filled with a renewed sense of hope. Its high-energy, pulsating beat is coupled with musical influences from around the world, resulting in a melting pot of styles and sounds topped with an inspirational message. Wilson sings, “We can dance til we fall, we just gonna move on through the dirt and the hurt. So we learn to be strong, set a fire in your soul. Let it burn, let it burn. Keep rising up. Enough’s enough – say hello world.” The track shows a fun new musical side of Rita whose more intimate music straddles the pop/country space. The music video reflects the track in its joyous optimism, representing women around the globe and features Rita along with an international cast of influencers in the world of Zumba doing what they love – dancing.
The origins of “Hello World” were completely organic. Wilson was visiting a health spa and became enthralled with Zumba, the wildly popular international exercise fitness program. She immediately clicked with her instructor Michele LaRocque. LaRocque, in turn, admired Wilson’s singing/songwriting talents, leading her to introduce Rita to the Zumba team. The two parties instantly clicked, quickly began collaborating on a song and “Hello World” was born.
“The joy that comes from being able to move or dance, without inhibition or judgement, and just for the delight of it, is what inspired me to collaborate with Zumba to co-write and perform this song, ‘Hello World,’” Wilson shares. “My Zumba instructor, Michele LaRocque was such a positive force through her energy and spirit, I saw her and said, ‘I’ll have what she’s having!’ I truly hope this song will make people want to blast some music and dance to their hearts content. You simply cannot be in a bad mood when you get those endorphins going. To be dropping the song for International Women’s Day, along with the talents of Claudia Leitte, and Raja Kumari, highlights how women have always worked together to get things done. See you on the dance floor, or maybe your backyard! In any event, I am honored to say ‘Hello World.’”
Despite its challenges, 2020 has been a richly prolific period for Wilson with all-things music. She is featured on “PINK” – a new single released to support the fight against breast cancer. The song features Dolly Parton, Monica, Jordin Sparks, Sara Evans and Wilson, and is a special collaboration benefiting Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization. Wilson returned to the Grand Ole Opry on October 24th to perform the song live at their annual Opry Goes Pink event.
Additional recent releases include the inspirational “Pray For Peace,” “What I Would Say,” co-written by Rita and GRAMMY Award-winning team of Jesse Frasure (Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan) and Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban) and addresses dealing with a loved one who is afflicted by addiction. “Where’s My Country Song?” is a moving tribute to women everywhere, especially essential workers on the front lines. HuffPost noted it’s “a track about women that feels particularly poignant right now.” Her stirring ballad “Everybody Cries,” from the film The Outpost is generating Oscar buzz, mentioned in Variety’s Oscar predictions here. Co-written by Wilson, director Rod Lurie, and Larry Groupé, American Songwriter called it “beautiful” and “understated.”
In March of 2019, Wilson received a Star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame in honor of her rich film career. A celebrated actress, film producer, and philanthropist, her first love is music. With four studio albums under her belt she has toured the world over performing on such iconic stages as The Sydney Opera House and Walt Disney Concert Hall and coveted music festivals including Stagecoach and CMA Fest.
