Rita Wilson celebrates International Women’s Day in partnership with Zumba® with her new electrifying track, “Hello World” out today. Along with visually colorful music video, featuring Zumba instructors and students from over 15 countries. “Hello World” 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 Rita, Raja, 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.
On the heels of the single release, Rita 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. More information and registration for the class is available here. Additionally, Zumba instructors in 186 countries will be using “Hello World” today 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. Rita 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. Rita 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 Rita’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.
Wilson comments, “The joy that comes from being able to move or dance, without inhibition or judgment, and just for the delight of it, is what inspired me to collaborate with Zumba to co-write and perform this song, ‘Hello World.’ 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 in your backyard! In any event, I am honored to say ‘Hello World.'”
Sergio Minski from Zumba adds, “What started as an introduction to Rita through her Zumba Instructor Michele LaRocque, has developed into a song with three extremely talented artists and a powerful message that is needed now more than ever. Zumba has always been a platform that connects people and music all over the globe, and we are excited for everyone to feel as inspired by ‘Hello World’ as we are.”
