Rita Ora Receives Flak From Dancers Because Of 'Insulting' Advert For Her 'Poison' Video

Rita Ora is currently under fire from dancers because of an advert allegedly from TalentTalks.co.uk calling for Londoners to take part in the singer’s music video for “Poison.” While many would jump at the opportunity to be part of a music video, many dancers took offense the stipulation on the ad that their work would be voluntary and hence, unpaid.

Daily Star UK reports that not all dancers found TalentTalks.co.uk’s advertisement for London dancers, notwithstanding their age, sex or ethnicities to take part in Ora’s new music video, exciting. The dancers found it insulting instead that the company would undermine their work and not give them compensation for their dancing. They particularly found the note on the advertisement, stating “This is an unpaid shoot and you would be attending voluntarily” as offensive.

Even though some would consider dancing for a world-renowned singer such as Ora as an exciting “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” majority of the dancers think being unpaid is undermining their hard work and value as dancers. According to one dancer, who tweeted Ora directly to air his hurt feelings, dancers also spent years training in order to be good, just like other skilled workers. The hashtag #paythedancers were also used widely be more dancers who claimed they would not work for free. Another tweeted that he could not understand why “highly trained professionals” are being asked to work without pay.

Rita Oras’ rep were quick to respond to these accusations by telling Daily Star Online that the production company was not asking dancers to appear in the video. Instead, the company is inviting all of the singer’s fans to take part. "The casting agencies were not authorised by the production company and have no involvement in the video,” the rep stated.

The issue also caused TalentTalks.co.uk to remove the said offensive ad and issued a statement to Daily Star Online as well. According to the talent website, because the advert contained “misinformation about a music video casting call received from an illegitimate source,” removing it would be the best recourse. TalentTalks.co.uk also clarified that neighter Rita Ora nor her representatives had asked for the “unpaid people” to be part of the “Poison” music video.

The song has received positive feedbacks, with Time magazine claiming that it proved Rita Ora has something to show for, despite her botched attempts to enter the U.S. market. Time also claimed that the song showed why Ora has enough reasons to keep trying in the music industry.

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