What happened to Hollywood? Maisie Smith embarks on a theatre career with new musical role after quitting EastEnders ‘to crack America’
She left EastEnders in December last year to focus on other prospects and reportedly was hoping to ‘crack Hollywood’.
But Maisie Smith has now turned to musical theatre, as she prepares for her new role as the leading lady for Strictly Ballroom: The Tour.
The 20-year-old will star alongside Kevin Clifton in the show, which is based on the 1992 film of the same name and directed by Craig Revel Horwood.
What happened to Hollywood? Maisie Smith, 20, has embarked on a musical theatre career as she is set to play the leading lady in Strictly Ballroom: The Musical
Appearing on Lorraine on Wednesday morning, Maisie and Kevin revealed the exciting news for the first time.
Kevin gushed over Maisie during the appearance, noting that she ‘smashed the audition’, while the actress explained that she was ‘so excited’
She also explained that while she has a dance background, her recent appearance on Strictly Come Dancing elevated that, detailing: ‘I just fell in love with ballroom and Latin’
Big news! Appearing on Lorraine on Wednesday morning, Maisie announced the exciting news for the first time
Excited: She and Kevin explained their excitement for the show while appearing on the daytime show
And it’s not the first time that Maisie and Kevin have danced together, after being paired for the 2019 Children in Need special of BBC’s Strictly.
Admitting that she was ‘amazing’ during their short dance partnership, Kevin told Lorraine: ‘We hit it off straight away when we danced for the Children In Need special, Maisie was amazing.’
And she should settle in well with the rest of the team, after spending a large amount of time dancing for Craig in her most recent Strictly stint.
Supportive: Kevin gushed over Maisie during the appearance, noting that she ‘smashed the audition’, while the actress explained that she was ‘so excited’
Co-stars: Maisie will star alongside Kevin Clifton in the show, which is based on the 1992 film of the same name and directed by Craig Revel Horwood
Maisie was a runner up in the 2020 series of the dance show, partnering with Gorka Marquez for the competition.
The new role follows on from her departure from EastEnders, after spending 13 years on the soap.
Looking to swap Albert Square for the big screen, a source told MailOnline that Maisie was looking to break Hollywood.
They explained: ‘Starring in movies is a personal goal and seeing how well Ben (Hardy) and Himesh (Patel) have done, it’s given her hope she could be the next box office star from EastEnders.’
Strictly: Ballroom kicks off on September 26 at Portsmouth’s Kings Theatre.
Strictly: Maisie was a runner up in the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnering with Gorka Marquez for the competition. (pictured)
Sweet: Maisie (pictured far left in 2011) joined EastEnders in 2008 when she was just six years old, and after leaving in 2014 returned four years later