By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
FOX Television aired the first episode American adaptation of the South Korean television show King of Mask Singer. The Masked Singer brings together 12 celebrities who are “household names” and have disguised them in 12 elaborate costumes. The panelists (Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke, and Jenny McCarthy) and the audience must determine the identity of each performer. Who are these singers behind the mask? Read on to find out!
Entertainment Weekly’s Kristen Baldwin reported that the masked singers would face off in duos, which might remind viewers of The Voice’s Knockout Rounds. Tonight, there were three rounds. Up first was the Peacock versus the Hippo. The Peacock strutted their way to the stage and hinted that he was a friend to Michael Jackson. When the Peacock performed “The Greatest Show,” I thought either Ricky Martin or Antonio Banderas. All four judges praised the performance and predicted either Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and even Teller of Penn and Teller was The Masked Singer.
The Peacock’s rival, the Hippo, took the stage. The masked singer proclaimed that he was a baller and had a $10,000 bill at a diner. The Hippo performed an abysmal version of Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative” and immediately the panel predicted that the masked singer was an athlete. The judges guessed Odell Beckham, Jr., Deion Sanders, and Allen Iverson. Both the studio audience and the panel gave immunity to the Peacock, while the Hippo was in danger of being unmasked.
The second matchup of the night was between the Monster and the Unicorn! The James P. Sullivan-like Monster performed Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” and there were many R&B vocal runs in his voice. His voice reminded me a lot of Ruben Studdard, but it could also be Brian McKnight. However, the panel predicted Gucci Maine, Diddy, and even Justin Bieber. Meanwhile, the Beverly Hills-raised Unicorn performed Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song.” I predicted Kesha or Nicky Hilton, while the panel stated it might be Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, or Ireland Baldwin. The Unicorn surprisingly won the round and put the Monster in danger.
Finally, it was the Deer versus the Lion! The Deer revealed that he was competitive and cried out: “Ravens Beware!” He performed “Thunder” and there were country music tones in his voice. However, the panel thought that he was not a singer, but an NFL athlete. Finally, this “Hollywood Royal” Lion performed Fergie’s “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” and blew the audience away! I thought Leona Lewis, but the panel thought it was Lady Gaga, a former member of Fifth Harmony, or either Michelle Williams or Kelly Rowland.
However, the panel will have to wait to learn Lion’s identity for another day as she walked out victorious. That left the Deer, the Monster, and the Hippo in danger of going home. The first unmasked singer of the season was the Hippo! The Hippo’s true identity was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Antonio Brown!
Next week, another singer is unmasked!
