Masked Singer Double Elimination Stuns Audience with Major Celebrity Reveals
Viewers of The Masked Singer were left reeling during Wednesday's episode as not one but two major celebrities were dramatically unmasked in a shocking double elimination. The elaborate costumes of Scarab and Handyman were removed to reveal Hollywood A-lister Taraji P. Henson and iconic rapper Tone Loc, sending waves of surprise through both the live audience and the judging panel.
Oscar-Nominated Actress Behind the Scarab Mask
Following a spirited performance of Cyndi Lauper's classic Girls Just Want To Have Fun, the mysterious Scarab was revealed to be none other than acclaimed actress Taraji P. Henson. The star, who received an Oscar nomination for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, shares a notable connection with Brad Pitt from that very film. Her unmasking prompted audible gasps from the crowd and judges alike.
Host Nick Cannon had announced early in the evening that two contestants would be leaving the competition, setting the stage for the dramatic reveals. Judges Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong, Rita Ora, and Robin Thicke had been given clues throughout the episode before locking in their final guesses.
Judges' Reactions and Correct Guesses
Rita Ora emerged as the only judge to correctly identify Henson behind the Scarab mask, while McCarthy speculated it might be Angela Bassett. Thicke guessed Regina King, and Jeong thought it could be Cynthia Erivo from Wicked.
"I finally made it," Henson told the cheering audience after her reveal. Ora immediately responded with excitement, saying, "No, I mean this is crazy. I can't believe we've got you on the show!"
When Cannon asked Henson about playing the powerful Scarab character, the Hidden Figures actress revealed, "I had a lot of confidence. There's a lot of things you can do hiding behind a mask. Because no one can see you! So you can get down. She was getting jiggy with it. But you can't lip sync."
Rapper Tone Loc Unveiled as Handyman
Minutes after Henson's elimination, Handyman was also unmasked, revealing legendary rapper Tone Loc, best known for hits like Funky Cold Medina and Wild Thing. Robin Thicke correctly identified the music artist, while Ora thought it might be Ice-T. McCarthy guessed Chuck D, and Jeong speculated it could be Mr. T from The A-Team.
The rapper shared that his children had dared him to appear on the show, saying, "My kids just dared me big time to come up here. Like, 'Dad, you're not gonna do that.' But I had a good time, and I love it." He added triumphantly, "Proved them wrong! I'm 59-years-old and I'm still having fun."
Before leaving the stage, Tone Loc treated the audience to a snippet of his classic track Wild Thing, bringing nostalgic energy to the dramatic evening.
Social Media Erupts with Reactions
The double elimination sparked immediate reactions across social media platforms, with fans expressing both shock and excitement about the celebrity reveals. One viewer exclaimed, "TF YOU MEAN THEY SENT HOME TARAJI P. HENSON???" while another celebrated, "@Taraji P. Henson was just showing her skills on #TheMaskedSinger."
Other fans shared their satisfaction with correct predictions, with one posting, "Yep it WAS Tone Loc and Taraji P. Henson!" and another declaring, "I knew it... #ScarabMask is Taraji P. Henson!!!"
The dramatic episode marked a significant moment in the fourteenth season of the popular singing competition, demonstrating that even established Hollywood stars and music legends are willing to embrace the anonymity of elaborate costumes for a chance to showcase their talents in unexpected ways.
