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You know what they: no matter what, the show must go on! And that's apparently the mantra the Drag Race UK season 2 production team had to utter to themselves when British singer-songwriter and guest judge Rita Ora was a no-show for last week's episode...

The British singer-songwriter, who is probably best known for her years-old tracks like "I Will Never Let You Down," "RIP," and "How We Do," reportedly didn't show up to taping last November (when last week's Drag Race UK episode was filmed) due to disagreements about her entourage.

Luckily, the Drag Race UK team was quick to act and replaced Rita (who has guest judged for Ru before during a 2019 episode of All Stars 4) with someone they knew wouldn't flake out on them: a bearded mannequin named Mickey. (Or rather, Mickayyy!)

\u201clol 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\u201d
— Jarett Wieselman (@Jarett Wieselman) 1615819728

"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 unnamed, inside source told the Daily Mail. "Surprisingly, it worked out okay and became a running joke."

And now, Mickey is the delight of the internet!

\u201cSo I hear Rita Ora cancelled her guest judge spot on #DragRaceUK and they replaced her with a mannequin. \n\nBet the mannequin was more talented and pleasant to work with.\u201d
— Hannah-Jayne Wild (@Hannah-Jayne Wild) 1615899189

\u201cCan they replace Rita Ora on The Masked Singer with the mannequin as well? \ud83d\udc40\u201d
— Craig Mitchell (@Craig Mitchell) 1615823892

\u201cListening to the newest @whoweekly and multiple people on the train turned and stared at me because I was not able to contain my cackling at @lindseyweber correctly observing that \u201cRita Ora would not have been able to give what the mannequin gave.\u201d\u201d
— Michael Salaz\u00e1r (@Michael Salaz\u00e1r) 1615923841

Has a new superstar just been born?!? We guess so!

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Raffy is a Los Angeles-based writer, editor, video creator, critic, and digital director of Out Magazine. The former editor-in-chief of PRIDE, he is also a die-hard Rihanna and Sailor Moon stan who loves to write about all things pop culture, entertainment, and identities. Follow him on Instagram (@raffyermac) and Twitter (@byraffy), and subscribe to his YouTube channel.

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Rita Ora Didn't Show Up For 'Drag Race UK,' So a Mannequin Stood In

When the British popstar was a no-show, a bearded mannequin had to step up to the plate!

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Raffy Ermac

Digital Director, Out.com