N.L. contest winner an extra in 'the magic that is Magic Mike XXL'
One of this summer's most anticipated movie releases isn't much of a family flick.
Magic Mike XXL opened at cinemas across Canada this week, and one Newfoundland woman got to be an extra on the side of the stage.
"Well, put it this way: they call it XXL for a reason," says Karen Hanlon, from St. John's.
Hanlon was the only Canadian winner of a contest through Entertainment Tonight Canada to play an extra on Magic Mike XXL.
There were more than 30,000 entires, Hanlon said, and only 15 winners.
"They informed me I was the only Canadian winner of this prize, so I got to go to the set, I got to meet the cast, but most importantly, I got to be an extra in some pretty sexy dance numbers — and let me tell you, they were pretty sexy," she said.
But it wasn't just sitting and watching for Hanlon and her fellow winners. These extras were responsible for keeping the energy going — and, yes, tossing cash at the actors.
"Basically, it was our job to keep the momentum going and keep the fun going and scream and throw money at the stage and just hoot and holler and do everything that you would possibly do if you were in the strip club watching guys get naked," said Hanlon.
"I mean, it's pretty hard too, right? They did multiple takes of this scene that we were in, so you know, poor us now, having to watch Channing Tatum strip down multiple times. Yeah, that was pretty hard to take."
'It's worth your $12'
According to Hanlon, she and the other contest winners were "treated like royalty" while on set and had a special green room to hang out in after their take to watch the rest of filming.
In addition, Hanlon got to meet the entire cast, including Channing Tatum, who plays the title character.
"He was an absolute gem, sweetheart. He is completely committed to the fans," she said.
"They couldn't have provided a more wonderful fan experience for us."
Warner Bros. also provided Hanlon with a private screening for her and her 50 closest friends before Magic Mike XXL opened across Canada — something she said that wasn't even part of her contest winnings.
Hanlon said there's a good story in the movie that's not just about the stripping, "but it is a lot of stripping," and people should be ready for that.
"Listen, it's worth your $12. Please go and see the movie," she said.
