This is likely to be a career first, and last.
Rita Ora was replaced with bearded mannequin after reportedly cancelling her guest appearance at the last minute on the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
The 30-year-old singer allegedly pulled out from the episode, which filmed last November, due to a disagreement about her entourage. Producers had no time to book a replacement.
So they went with the next-best option — a tongue-in-cheek mannequin stand-in named Mickey, named after EastEnders character Mick Carter, played by actor Danny Dyer.
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The challenge that week was also EastEnders-themed, and Mickey had plenty to say.
“Everyone on set was anticipating Rita’s arrival but, when she didn’t show up, producers had to use their heads and came up with the idea of decorating a mannequin,” an insider told The Sun.
“Surprisingly, it worked out OK and became a running joke,” they added.
The episode aired last week, and reviews were mixed:
lol apparently we got that stupid mannequin on #DragRaceUK this week because Rita Ora just didn't show up to guest judge https://t.co/4bGdXHtu75 pic.twitter.com/dBeRkI9ui8
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) March 15, 2021
Can they replace Rita Ora on The Masked Singer with the mannequin as well? ? pic.twitter.com/rYZEaaotK1
— Craig Mitchell (@craigmitch1991) March 15, 2021
I hate the mannequin but I would have him 100x over Rita ora
— António Santos#TeamLawrence (@thatscoldtea) March 15, 2021
The fact that Rita Ora was replaced with a mannequin, makes the last episode even more HILARIOUS. Mickay, was certainly the right choice. #dragraceuk
— ria (@at_elria) March 15, 2021
James (controversial2019)
We loved Mickaaaay! Didn’t realise it was because Rita was a no-show, but she was definitely not missed as it was hilarious.
Ronbo
Yes. Best judge ever!
trell
What is it with Drag Race US, that they seem to be recycling the same old guest judges all the time? If it’s not TS Madison, it’s either Lony Love or Nicole Byer. Is it a COVID thing?
In the UK, why does Graham Norton need to be a guest judge? He’s an opinionated over-the-hill twat. Allan Carr is much funnier, and seems to actually make efforts to engage with the girls rather than just sit there and make snobby remarks about someone else’s makeup.
As for Mickaay, he was great! A proppa’ geezer, and his comments on the well fit birds cracked me up. Stuff Rita Ora! Mickaay had more personality than a lot of the other guest judges of late
KiraNerysRules
Yes. It was a COVID thing.
Catholicslutbox
I’ll take Norton over the chubby one on the US version any day of the week.
Now, THAT guy is annoying.
Sounds like she wanted to bring a group of people with her, but the producers didn’t want to increase the odds of people catching Covid.
smartguyd
Drag Race US had to use a small group of guest judges who were LA locals, experienced with working on WOW productions, and could judge multiple times if needed while maintaining all the covid restrictions required for the full filming schedual
James (controversial2019)
Because Norton rocks. Everyone here prefers Norton over Carr.
BLAKENOW
I am replying to the guy that is fat shaming Ross Matthews as the “chubby one” in the US , For your informations Ross has lost about 25 kilos if not more and he is entertaining and far from annoying. now as for Carson Kressley they need to just send that horse riding out to pasture. His out of touch arrogance, and (comments BTW that are scripted) are either snobby or mean or not funny. He brings nothing fresh to the show and its time for a change
Cam
Probably Covid is making it tougher. Remember they had Ann Hathaway only on Video, my guess is that if there wasn’t Covid she may have been there as a judge.
MISTERJETT
it’s a covid thing. perfectly understandable!!!!
Garath99
I’m older than graham so must be ‘over the hill’. Go FK yourself.
craigbear
Yes, it was a COVID thing. Instead of having a different guest judge come in every week, they tried to keep the set as closed as possible by having a couple of guest judges come in several times each.
jackscott
Rita = DIVA…. she isn’t even that talented. However, I’m sure the Drag team could have pulled someone in for a paycheck. There are plenty of out of work actors (stage & screen).
juantana
Rita who now? ?
Cam
It sounds like she wanted to bring in a ton of people to a Covid isolated set?
What a pain.
Gabby
I absolutely hate ALL GUEST JUDGES on drag race. i find it insulting that these guest judges get to come on the show for the day and critique the queens. “Like, what experience do you have in the drag world that allows you to critique these professionals?” If i was a queen on the show and a guest judge was reading me, it would take will power that I do not think I have to tell them to shut up!
Gabby
And another thing, who is still trying to Make Rita Ora famous? It is not happening.
Godabed
Given the fact that she has been dodging quarantine she shouldn’t be there. Google it, she got roasted in the British media for the stunts she was pulling. So good for her for not showing up.
BaltoSteve
The Hubs and I were wondering who did the voice for Mickaaay!
@dusyk
Rita Ora exactly Who?
TimberWolf
the reason was a disagreement over her entourage, seriously? sounds more like a spoiled brat syndrome
cuteguy
Rita Whor-a is plastic so it makes sense
trell
‘Garath99 – I’m older than graham so must be ‘over the hill’. Go FK yourself.’
Okaaaay…..methinks someone’s a bit touchy about their age, hun, but I wasn’t talking about his age. I was talking about his career in comedy, but if you can get tetchy about the phrase or about someone’s opinion on a light hearted LGBT newsgroup, maybe you need to take a Horlicks to bed or up your dosage X