Chiseled

This ‘Drag Race’ guest judge no-showed so producers replaced her with a bearded mannequin

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.

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:

 

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