Hold onto your seats, because The Masked Singer just dropped a bombshell that left fans in utter disbelief! In a jaw-dropping double elimination, the show unmasked not one, but two iconic stars—a 90s rapper and an Oscar-nominated actress. But here’s where it gets controversial: could you have guessed who they were? Let’s dive in.
On the January 20 episode, the singing competition said goodbye to Handyman and Scarab, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. Handyman, the first to be unmasked, hinted in his clue video, ‘I’ve always stood out,’ but a painful accident once changed his voice overnight. Yet, he didn’t let that stop him. ‘My voice grabbed people’s attention,’ he shared, ‘and suddenly, I was everywhere—radio, movies, even kids’ shows.’
The judges were stumped, with Jenny McCarthy guessing Chuck D, Ken Jeong suggesting Mr. T, and Rita Ora throwing out Ice-T. But it was Robin Thicke who nailed it, recognizing the voice of 90s rapper Tone Loc, famous for hits like ‘Funky Cold Medina’ and ‘Wild Thing.’ Tone, now 59, revealed his kids had dared him to join the show, and he admitted, ‘I’m still having fun.’
And this is the part most people miss: Scarab’s emotional journey. During her clue segment, she shared that her late father had predicted her Oscar nomination, which tragically came just a week after his passing. ‘It was hard to smile that night,’ she confessed, ‘but my mom and I made the most of it.’ Her heartfelt performance of Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’ tugged at everyone’s heartstrings.
The judges guessed everyone from Sheryl Lee Ralph to Cynthia Erivo, but it was Rita Ora who correctly identified Taraji P. Henson, the Oscar-nominated actress from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Host Nick Cannon joked, ‘We’ve been waiting 14 seasons for you!’ Taraji, however, playfully asked, ‘Who voted me off, though?’
Controversial Question: Did the judges drop the ball by not guessing Taraji sooner, or was her disguise just that good? Let us know in the comments!
Taraji admitted she loved the anonymity of the mask, saying, ‘You can really let loose when no one knows it’s you.’ She ended the show with a powerful rendition of Adele’s ‘Set Fire to the Rain,’ proving she’s still got it.
The Masked Singer airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on Fox. Who’s next to be unmasked? Stay tuned to find out—and don’t forget to download the E! News App for the latest updates!
