‘The Masked Singer’ host Nick Cannon.Photo:Michael Becker / FOX
Michael Becker / FOX
The Masked Singercertainly cranked it up to 11 on Wednesday’s season 11 premiere.
The new season sawRita OratakeNicole Scherzinger’s seat on the panel alongside returning judgesKen Jeong,Jenny McCarthyandRobin Thicke.Nick Cannoncame back as the host and received an unexpected shock when the first season 11 contestant unmasked.
But first, Goldfish kicked off the night.
“When I first started out, I made a splash overnight,” Goldfish said in their clue package. “But all that success made me feel like I was living in a fishbowl with everyone’s eyes and expectations on me.”
The fish’s clue package also showed a jar of hearts, two kisses and a glass slipper. “I had big decisions to make: I could play it safe or dive into deeper, darker, edgier waters,” Goldfish shared.
“That performance gets you all the way to the final,” declared McCarthy, 51.
Goldfish performing on ‘The Masked Singer’ season 11.Michael Becker / FOX
Ora, 33, called the rendition “perfect.”
The Men in Black brought out an additional clue for each contestant after they performed and for Goldfish, they delivered a gold record to the stage.
“Let the record the show that gold is my lucky color,” Goldfish stated.
The judges thought Goldfish could beHilary Duff,Selena Gomez,Lucy Hale,Lea MicheleorCarly Rae Jepsen.
Starfish followed up with their bubbly sense of humor.
“When I was just starting out, I was serving steaks to the stars,” Starfish said in her clue package, which also showed a four-leaf clover, PA’s sunscreen, a doll,Steve MartinandWhitney Houston.
The marine invertebrate revealed that she eventually came out on top. “Now I have it all — and I can afford it!” Starfish continued. “So trust that your ‘yes’ is coming, or just find a rich sugar mama like me!”
Starfish performing on ‘The Masked Singer’ season 11.Michael Becker / FOX
Starfish aptly coveredMadonna’s “Material Girl.”
“I’m in love with a starfish,” Ora declared afterwards.
For Starfish’s additional clue, the Men in Black presented the number “50 billion.”
“I’ve been streamed for 50 billion minutes, and that was just in one year,” Starfish explained.
Catherine O’Hara,Cheri OteriandMolly Shannonarose as options for Starfish’s identity.
“When I hit the scene as a young, handsome Ugly Sweater, I was the epitome of style,” the garment began in his clue package.
But things took a turn for Ugly Sweater. “I went from living in penthouses to sleeping on park benches,” he said.
Ugly Sweater on ‘The Masked Singer’ season 11.Michael Becker / FOX
The package showed a blue record and a rabbit in a hat and concluded with Ugly Sweater declaring, “Now, I’m back on top.”
“I think we’ve got an icon, a legend on our hands,” McCarthy declared.
The Men in Black brought out a sweater with the word “featuring” on it for Ugly Sweater’s extra clue.
“Ugly Sweater’s always in style — must be why the biggest stars want to work with me,” Ugly Sweater said.
The panel tossed outRonald Isley,Eddie Levert,Aaron Neville,Verdine WhiteandCharlie Wilsonas possibilities for Ugly Sweater.
Lovebird flew up next.
“What can I say? I’m a hopeless romantic,” Lovebird said in their clue package. “Every decision I’ve made in my life has been because of love, either hoping to find it or the fear of losing it.”
Lovebird performing on ‘The Masked Singer’ season 11.Michael Becker / FOX
“I’ve had success in many fields, but I always followed my heart,” Lovebird added.
“I may make for a great Lovebird, but you know, I’m even better as a leading man,” Lovebird said.
Football playersOdell Beckham Jr.andTravis Kelceand formerBachelorNick Viallcame up as suggestions for Starfish’s identity.
Book closed the book on the premiere.
“I have stories for days and a vocabulary that’s really, what’s the word? Good!” Book said in his clue package that featured an Animals 101 book, a detective badge, a ghost and an open mic night sign. “And I owe it all to my mom. See, my brother was a troublemaker, a real crime novel. So my mom had to lay down the law on me.”
The tome added that he “was good at everything, from school to sports,” but “these days, I’m a bestseller, making over $4 billion in the box office.”
Book performing on ‘The Masked Singer’ season 11.Michael Becker / FOX
Thicke, 46, guessed Book could beKevin Hart, but before Book could give the other judges a change to take a stab at who he might be, the page-turner decided to unmask and reveal himself. “How do I get out of here?” Book asked.
Once Book popped out of his pages, Hart, 44, appeared. “I got you Nick!” theLiftstar declared.
Kevin Hart as Book on ‘The Masked Singer’ season 11.Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty; Michael Becker / FOX
Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty; Michael Becker / FOX
A completely shocked Cannon, 43, asked Hart for an explanation.
“This is a prank!” Hart continued. “You had no idea. You had no idea that I’m coming here, Nick. And guess what, Nick? Guess what? It’s nothing you can do about it!”
Cannon and Hart have a longstanding prank war, and thefather of 12thought the comedic actor gave “the worst performance ever on the history of this show” while trying to pull one over on him.
“On purpose, Nick!” Hart responded.
Cannon couldn’t take the joke. “You embarrassed yourself,” he told theHart to Hearthost. “Dude, that was stupid.”
“I don’t look stupid. I look put together, Nick,” Hart retorted. “There’s nothing stupid about me. You know who looks stupid? You, in that stupid jacket.”
Hart didn’t care. “That’s not my problem,” he said. “That’s your problem.”
As a result of Hart’s premature unmasking, Cannon declared the rest of the contestants safe before making Hart sing one more time.
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The Masked Singerairs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
source: people.com
