Best guesses at Fox’s ‘The Masked Singer’
The first celebrity singer was unmasked Wednesday on Fox’s bizarre (and bizarrely watchable) new reality show “The Masked Singer” and it was quite a shocker. (Spoiler alert: It was Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers.) But that still leaves several celebrities waiting to unveil their identities as they are eliminated from the show over the coming weeks.
As host Nick Cannon reminded us repeatedly, the show is full of hints. In addition to explaining the significance of their costume choice, each celebrity gives us several vague hints about their career and how they became famous. We used those details, combined with social media’s prevailing theories, to take our best guesses on the faces behind the costumes.
THE PEACOCK
What we know about them:
“Putting on a show is in my DNA,” the Peacock told us. He has been performing onstage since he was 5. He was friends with Michael Jackson and was once considered a heartthrob – “it’s probably been a while since your mom had a poster of me on her wall,” he confessed. The unidentified celeb said he chose the Peacock disguise “because we both share a love of the spotlight.” What the judges thought:
Nicole Scherzinger said his voice was “like buttah.” The singer performed “The Greatest Show,” so Jenny McCarthy wondered if it might be “The Greatest Showman” star Hugh Jackman. That was quickly nixed. “Hugh Jack- man’s like 6’5,” Robin Thicke said. “He’s a lot taller than that Peacock.” Thicke said he initially guessed Zac Efron, but changed his mind since the celebrity described himself as a seasoned performer. Ken Jeong just really liked his outfit. Everyone agreed the Peacock gave off a Vegas vibe.
Prevailing social media
theories: Neil Diamond, Donny Osmond, Tom Jones
Our guess: Osmond, no doubt about it. He first performed at age 5 on “The Andy Williams Show,” where he sang “You Are My Sunshine” and teamed up with his famous brothers for a rendition of “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby.” And the singer appears to match the Peacock’s build and vocal range. He’s also a Vegas veteran.
THE MONSTER
What we know about them:
“I was at the top of my game, but the game turned on me,” the Monster told us, not- ing that he had once retreated from the public eye and went into his “cave” (hence the monster duds). When the judges asked if he was a professional singer, he replied: “Not to everyone.” He said he is ready for a comeback and performed Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.” What the judges thought:
The judges admitted they were surprised by the celebrity’s vocal talent. “You’ve got great range and I heard some soul in there,” Scherzinger said. Thicke thought the voice sounded mature, as in not a young celebrity. McCarthy guessed Diddy (“You never know!”). Jeong thought his hiatus may have been a jail sentence, which prompted Scherzinger to think of celebrities with legal issues. “Does Gucci Mane have a brilliant beautiful, mature soulful voice?” she wondered. Prevailing social me
dia theories: Wayne Brady, T-Pain, Jamie Foxx
Our guess: This is a tough one, but we’re going with T-Pain. He was considered a rapper in the mid-aughts when his heavily auto-tuned tracks drew criticism from his peers even as he climbed the charts. What about those pipes? T-Pain has stunned fans over the years with his soulful vocals on underappreciated singles and in that memorable Tiny Desk Concert at NPR. A 2014 New Yorker article, published when T-Pain was 28, referenced a lull in his career and a resulting “depression that left him unmotivated to make any more music.”
THE UNICORN
What we know about
them: She grew up in a rich neighborhood and told us her “childhood should have been magical.” Alas, someone she looked up to told her she was tone-deaf and the Unicorn said she was constantly made to feel unworthy. “Nobody can tell me who I can or can’t be,” she declared before performing Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song.” She later told the judges that her nickname is Bird. What the judges thought:
Thicke guessed Lindsay Lohan, but the singer’s wealthy background steered McCarthy in the direction of daughters raised in prominent Hollywood families including Paris Hilton and Ireland Baldwin. Scherzinger was stumped, but she was certain the celebrity was “someone older and ... definitely not a singer.”
Prevailing social media
theories: Tori Spelling, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie
Our guess: Spelling, but it’s really just a guess. The daughter of the late Aaron Spelling has spoken out about defending herself against claims that her dad was the only reason she got her role on “Beverly Hills, 90210.” She has also talked about her difficult relationship with her mother, Candy Spelling. We’ll admit we don’t know her as a wannabe singer, but she did make a memorable foray into singing in ABC Family’s much-discussed 2012 movie “The Mistle-Tones.”
THE DEER
What we know about
them: He’s competitive like a deer(?) and despite his yetto-be-revealed claim to fame, has always considered himself a singer. He mentioned getting knocked down many times and also gave a shout out to the wild West. He loves horses, but isn’t so fond of ravens. He’s willing to go on national television and sing a song (“Thunder”) by Imagine Dragons. What the judges thought:
The Deer made a big show of taping up its antlers, so the panel initially got wrestler or MMA fighter vibes. Thicke guessed Stone Cold Steve Austin and Jenny McCarthy suggested MMA fighter Chuck Liddell. But the deer’s self-professed competitive streak, affinity for horses and apparent dislike of ravens (Ravens?) led the judges to the NFL. Could it be a current or former Denver Broncos player, Thicke wondered? The Deer refused to say whether he had ever been a professional football player.
Probable theories: Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow, Eric Decker
Our guess: Decker. He’s a retired NFL player who used to play for the Denver Broncos. And he may harbor a secret passion for singing – he and his wife, singer Jessie James Decker, teamed up on a rendition of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” a few years ago.
THE LION
What we know about
them: “Some might say I’m Hollywood royalty,” the Lion announced before declaring that she was stepping away from her pride, where there are “lots of women.” She seemed confident behind the microphone as she belted out Fergie’s “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody.” She also seemed tall. What the judges thought:
Thicke made several mentions of the Lion’s hips and suggested she may be an actress or model with some vocal training. McCarthy really wanted it to be Lady Gaga. The panel realized pride might not necessarily refer to a family, but perhaps a musical group? Scherzinger said if the Lion were a Pussycat Doll, she would know. Other girl groups were thrown out – Destiny’s Child, Fifth Harmony – before Scherzinger confidently declared the celebrity must be Mel B, aka Scary Spice. “No, no,” Thicke countered. “That’s a soulful American singer.”
Prevailing social media theories: Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Rumer Willis
Our guess: Willis! Bruce Willis and Demi Moore’s eldest daughter would certainly be considered Hollywood royalty. And her soulful voice, showcased on Fox’s “Empire” and in Broadway’s “Chicago,” seems to be a match for the Lion. Oh, and she used to have a giant tattoo of a lion on her arm.
So there’s that.