Nicole Scherzinger confirms new role in Dirty Dancing television remake

'Can't wait for you all to see it': Nicole Scherzinger confirms new role in Dirty Dancing television remake

By BECKY FREETH FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 10:09, 2 March 2016 | UPDATED: 12:09, 2 March 2016

Nicole Scherzinger has confirmed her part in ABC's forthcoming TV remake of Dirty Dancing.

Sharing her excitement via Twitter on Tuesday, the former Pussycat Dolls singer said she was 'so excited' to join the cast of the 1987 adaptation, which already features Abigail Breslin and Debra Messing. 

The 37-year-old is said to be reinventing the role of Johnny's original dance partner Penny, which was originally played by Cynthia Rhodes almost three decades ago.

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Back to acting: Nicole Scherzinger has revealed that she will join the cast of ABC's television remake of Dirty Dancing

Hawaii-born Nicole told her Twitter followers: 'So excited to join the cast of @ABCNetwork #DirtyDancing remake! Can't wait for you all to see it!' 

And sharing a picture of her health checks and fitness training, the brunette added: #dirtydancing !!! I'm so excited!!! Lol! I'm coming for ya! #imcomingforyou'

Nicole, who went solo from the girlband in 2010, turned her hand to acting in 2014 when she took part in London's West End revival of Cats: The Musical. 

It's back: ABC announced the three-hour adaptation of the 1987 romantic flick, starring Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle and Jennifer Grey, portraying Baby Houseman

In training: Nicole announced the news via Twitter and Instagram on Tuesday as she was pictured doing some physical prep

So excited: The star shared her excitement about playing Johnny's dance partner Penny

The US network announced the remake back in December 2015, naming Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail in the lead role of Baby Houseman.

Penny falls pregnant in the original film and opts for an illegal abortion, forcing Baby to step in and dance with Johnny Prattes, who was originally played by Patrick Swayze. 

Will & Grace actress Debra has been placed in the role of Marjorie Houseman, Baby's mother, though the actor taking on Johnny has not be confirmed. 

The three-hour adaptation is thought to follow the same storyline, though its air date has yet to be revealed. 

Into the role: The role of Penny was originally played by Cynthia Rhodes

Showing her how it's done: Penny falls pregnant and is forced to step down from the dancing role

Stage training: Nicole turned her hand to acting in 2014 when she took part in London's West End revival of Cats: The Musical as Grizabella 

Nicole Scherzinger shares her transformation into Grizabella

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A second film was made about the romantic flick favourite was made in 2003, Dirty Dancing 2, but flopped at the Box Office.

Starring Romola Garai, Diego Luna it was reimagining of the classic boy meets girl, girl is forbidden from seeing boy, boy and girl defy the family's wishes, though it's all set in 1959 Cuba. 

The challenging moves - like the memorable swan lift that Abigail will have to master - will surely be no trouble for dance and musical-theatre trained Nicole. 

She first found fame as part of the Burlesque troupe PCD, but Nicole emerged as the breakout star and went on to have a successful solo career.

Confirmed: Abigail Breslin (left) will play the lead role of Baby Houseman while Debra Messing (right) has been placed in the role of Marjorie Houseman

Tough moves: The infamous swan lift is something that Abigail may have to learn, swiftly

No problem: Dance and musical theatre-trained Nicole will surely not be phased by the dance part

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3472608/Nicole-Scherzinger-confirms-new-role-Dirty-Dancing-television-remake.html#ixzz41mxLZP7i
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Strictly Dirty Dancing: Louis Smith and dance partner Flavia set to recreate famous scenes in Saturday’s show

Back to the 80s for some Strictly Dirty Dancing: Louis Smith and dance partner Flavia set to recreate famous scenes in Saturday’s show

• Gymnast prepares to follow in footsteps of late heart-throb Patrick Swayze
• He and Flavia Cacace will reproduce routines by Swayze and Jennifer Grey
• Photographs from rehearsals show that pair's training is going well

By CHLOE THOMAS

PUBLISHED: 00:00, 19 October 2012 | UPDATED: 08:54, 19 October 2012

You'd have to be a very brave man to follow in Patrick Swayze’s footsteps in only the third week of Strictly Come Dancing.

Well, either that or an Olympic gymnast. Louis Smith looked more than happy to take on the challenge as he practised with professional dance partner Flavia Cacace this week.

The pair are set to recreate some of the famous sequences from the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, starring Swayze and Jennifer Grey.

Turning back the clock: Gymnast Louis Smith and his dance partner Flavia Cacace (left) are to recreate some of the sequences made famous by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey (right)

It takes two: Flavia and Louis look into each other's eyes (top), just as Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey did in the 1987 film (bottom)

Miss Cacace, who was partnered by astrologer Russell Grant last year, seems – understandably – to be making the most of having Smith as her dance partner.

The 23-year-old, who won silver and bronze at this summer’s Games, has impressed the judges so far, and he and Miss Cacace are currently joint top of the judge’s leaderboard.

No doubt keen to maintain that position, the pair have spent hours this week training for their take on Dirty Dancing.

Photos released from rehearsals show them recreating the well-known scenes in which Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman, played by Miss Grey, is put through her paces by Swayze’s Johnny Castle. 

Poised: Louis and Flavia prepare for Saturday's show on a balance beam (top), reminding movie fans of a scene in which Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey move on a fallen tree trunk (bottom)

Practice makes perfect: Louis and Flavia (left) get into position as they seek to recreate another famous move from the film (right)

Up in the air: Louis lifts Flavia in the training gym (top) in a move similar to one performed by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey some 25 years ago (bottom)

Flying high: Leading men Louis Smith (top) and Patrick Swayze (bottom) lift their partners in matching poses

On last week’s show, Smith’s waltz to the song Puppy Love left the judges gushing with praise.

Len Goodman described it as ‘the best dance of the night’ while Bruno Tonioli praised Smith’s ‘great movement and musicality’. And Darcey Bussell spoke of his ‘calm confidence’ and ‘ease’ on the dance floor.

Meanwhile judge, prima ballerina Darcey Bussell spoke of his ‘calm confidence’ and ‘ease’ on the dance floor.

And despite being tipped by the bookies to win the show, Mr Smith said before that he did not feel like the favourite.

Technique: This wider photograph of Louis Smith's lift shows how the gymnast keeps his legs apart to ensure Flavia Cacace can remain balanced above

Take your partner by the hand: Flavia and Louis prepare to practise another dance move

High five: Flavia and Louis touch hands to help them balance on a beam during the practice session

Impressive: Flavia was partnered by astrologer Russell Grant last year and appears to be making the most of having Louis as her dance companion

Well suited: Louis certainly didn't look out of place on the balance beam during the training session

Stretching out: Flavia draws a smile from Louis with a seductive pose on the balance beam

All smiles: Olympic gymnast Louis Smith and dancer Flavia Cacace have clearly enjoyed working together

Guidance: Choreographer Jamie Hughes Ward watches on as Louis lifts Flavia into the air during practice for Saturday's performance

Speaking a few weeks ago before the first live show, he said is learning like everyone else. 

He said: ‘I am learning the cha-cha-cha at the moment and it’s really hard work because it’s so quick.

'I haven’t quite nailed the routine; it’s not realty my dancing skill set.'

But judging by these pictures it seems the Olympic gymnast could end up ‘pommelling’ his way to the final.

Assistance: Choreographer Jamie Hughes Ward helps the pair to get into position as they prepare to take part in Strictly Come Dancing for a third week

Past masters: Flavia and Louis are recreating the well-known scenes from Dirty Dancing where Frances 'Baby' Houseman is put through her paces by her hip-swivelling bit of rough Johnny Castle

How it should be done: Louis laughs as choreographer Jamie Hughes Ward shows him how to perfect a difficult move

Here if you need me: Choreographer Jamie Hughes Ward stands ready to help as Louis tries the lift again

Preparations: Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace have spent hours in training for their take on Dirty Dancing

Graceful: The athletic dancers practise two more lifts in preparation for the competition this weekend

Muscly: Louis and Flavia practise the lift again, but this time the gymnast decides to do it with his t-shirt off

Symmetry: With her arms outstretched in a graceful pose, Flavia looks ready to take on the competition

Well, he is a gymnast... Louis Smith impresses his partner with a backward roll during practice for Saturday

Playing around: Flavia and Louis grin as they roll about on the floor during practice for Saturday's show

Chilling out: Louis and Flavia take a break from practising, but still cannot keep their eyes off each other

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2219865/Strictly-Come-Dancing-2012-Louis-Smith-Flavia-set-recreate-famous-Dirty-Dancing-scenes.html#ixzz29juPMdtv
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