Entertainment Twist star Rita Ora has always loved Charles Dickens

15:26 27 january 2021

15:26 27 january 2021 Source: msn.com

Rita Ora 'paid £1M to appear on latest season of The Masked Singer'

The 30-year-old singer, who returned to screens on the ITV show on Boxing Day, is said to be earning double the pay packet of new recruit Mo Gilligan, 32. A source told The Mirror: 'Rita received a whopping £1million-per-series deal for her role as a returning judge. © Provided by Daily Mail Big payday: Rita Ora has reportedly been paid an eye-watering £1million to appear on the second series of The Masked Singer, after proving to be a hit with fans in the first 'They were really keen to secure her return as she had been such a big hit in the first series. But they also really wanted Mo, too.

Rita Ora was thrilled to be cast in 'Twist' as she is a huge Charles Dickens fan.

Rita Ora holding a sign posing for the camera

The 30-year-old pop star plays Dodge – a female incarnation of the Artful Dodger – in the new take on 'Oliver Twist' and was delighted to land the part as she is a "book nerd" and loves the works of Victorian era novelist Dickens, whose other lauded works include 'Nicholas Nickleby', 'A Christmas Carol' and 'Great Expectations'.

Speaking to Capital Radio, Rita said: "I am a big Charles Dickens fan.

"I actually love reading, I know people don't know that about me but I am a bit of a book nerd."

The 'Anywhere' singer stars alongside Sir Michael Caine, who plays Fagin in Martin Owen's movie, and explained how she appreciated the way that the acting legend works.

Exclusive: Raff Law says Twist is actually faithful to Charles Dickens

Even though it is a "twist on Twist".Oliver is now streetwise graffiti artist Twist and Fagin (played by Sir Michael Caine) is more of a cuddly grandfather figure to the gang Twist gets involved with, which includes a gender-flipped Artful Dodger called Dodge, played by Rita Ora.

Gallery: 10 facts about High School Musical (BANG Showbiz)

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Get your head in the game!

It’s been five years since ‘High School Musical’ first premiered on Disney Channel. The hit film made stars of Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale and spawned two sequels as well as a television show. Here are 10 things you never knew about the hit franchise...
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It wasn’t supposed to be called HSM

The film was given the working title ‘High School Musical’ until the writers could think of a better name. However, by the time they had wrapped filming they still couldn’t think of anything. Instead, the producers stuck with the title and things ultimately worked out pretty well.
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Ashley Tisdale auditioned for Gabriella

Tisdale landed the role of Sharpay Evans after she originally auditioned for the lead role of Gabriella which later went to Vanessa Hudgens. Monique Coleman - who played Taylor - also auditioned for Gabriella but knew she was “terrible”. She said: "I just knew that I was terrible. I didn't really feel equipped to sing and dance."
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HSM was meant to be a Grease sequel

The film was original written as a third instalment to the hit movie Grease, starring John Travolta as Danny and Olivia Newton-John as Sandy. It would follow their kids in a plot similar to ‘HSM’ but with more references to ‘Grease’. Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake were reportedly signed on to star.
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Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel hated each other

The co-stars played twins Sharpay and Ryan Evans but did not originally connect well on set. Grabeel revealed: "I remember auditioning with Ashley and hating her because she wanted to rehearse a lot.” However, they soon became close friends after taking some time to understand each other.
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HSM2 is the highest-rated Disney Channel movie

The second instalment is still rated as the highest-viewed Disney Channel Orginal Movie of all time. 17 million fans tuned in to watch the film on the Disney Channel, smashing the record of its predecessor by over ten million. It also ranked as the highest-rated basic cable telecast at the time.
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Fans voted for Miley Cyrus to make a cameo

Miley appeared in the final sequence for the song ‘All For One’. Fans were asked to vote which Disney star should make a cameo in the film as well as other suggestions. They also voted for what desert Zeke should give Sharpay.
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HSM3 was meant to be a Halloween special

Disney bosses originally planned for the final film to have a haunted theme but quickly scrapped the idea. Efron confirmed: "I don't think the haunted thing lasted very long.” Tisdale added: "I think they just kind of threw that out there.”
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HSM3 was the only film released in theatres

The third and final film was the only one to be released in cinemas worldwide as the first two movies premiered on Disney Channel. It banked over $250 million with critics praising the film as an improvement from the first two instalments. ‘HSM3’ held the title for biggest opening day for a musical film until ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ premiered in 2015.
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Selena Gomez was offered a role in HSM3

The Disney Channel alum was offered an unspecified role in the last instalment but turned it down to focus on more serious roles. She explained: “I passed on it because I didn't want to do it. I plan to take other roles in acting that are challenging for me. After Disney, I want to be taken seriously as an actress for many years." Fans have since speculated she was up for the part of Sharpay’s assistant.
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Zac Efron pranked everyone

The now 33-year-old star was the biggest prankster on set. He would often keep “everyone on their toes” by throwing water balloons at his co-stars and putting caution tape over their trailers. They eventually got him back in the third film by covering his trailer with toilet paper, attacking him with water guns and dumping a bucket of water on him.
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Rita explained: "He has a certain way of working, I think he always has, and I just got on to his wave.

CCTV at restaurant Rita Ora held lockdown birthday bash was turned off, police say

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"That's the way you have to be when you are with a Sir, you have to work how they work."

Rita previously said how she felt "super powerful" playing a usually male role in the movie.

She said: "It's going to be amazing to see.

"The Artful Dodger is usually played by a man, so it was great to get my female perspective of the character. I felt super powerful and really inspired."

Ora revealed that she aspires to be like Lady Gaga and Madonna who are known for both music and acting.

The pop star and actress – who has also appeared in the 'Fifty Shades' films – said: "I'm obsessed with the Madonnas and Gagas. They do it all. I'd love to put out as much as possible and just keep it rolling."

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