One of the world’s biggest superstars, and a five-time Grammy winner, was hiding behind the Robot’s mask on the Season 3 premiere of The Masked Singer on Monday.
Lil Wayne, the 37-year-old rapper, singer and songwriter responsible for hits like Lollipop, A Milli and Go DJ, surprised everyone in the audience when he revealed himself.
‘Are you kidding me?’ judge Ken Jeong, 50, exclaimed as Wayne shook out his dreadlocks and grinned at the audience, as all five of the show’s judges – including guest judge Jamie Foxx – stared at him open-mouthed.
Wayne unmasked: One of the world’s biggest superstars, and a five-time Grammy winner, was hiding behind the Robot’s mask on the Season 3 premiere of The Masked Singer on Monday
Kidding: ‘Are you kidding me?’ judge Ken Jeong, 50, exclaimed as Wayne shook out his dreadlocks and grinned at the audience, as all five of the show’s judges stared at him open-mouthed
‘No! No!’ judge Robin Thicke, 42, shouted, admitting, ‘I’ve done five songs with him. This is the most shocked I’ve ever been on this show.’
None of the judges had even come close to guessing it was Lil Wayne behind the mask, all of them having been confused by his rendition of Lenny Kravitz’s Are You Gonna Go My Way?
Lil Wayne’s video package, which referenced stunts, crashes and being put together by a team, had them guessing it could be Jacka** stars Johnny Knoxville, 48, or Steve-O, 45, skier Shaun White, 33, boxer Floyd Mayweather, 42—even Flavor Flav, 60.
Robin is shocked: ‘No! No!’ judge Robin Thicke, 42, shouted, admitting, ‘I’ve done five songs with him. This is the most shocked I’ve ever been on this show’
Confused: None of the judges had even come close to guessing it was Lil Wayne behind the mask, all of them having been confused by his rendition of Lenny Kravitz’s Are You Gonna Go My Way?
Guesses: Lil Wayne’s video package, which referenced stunts, crashes and being put together by a team, had them guessing it could be Jacka** stars Johnny Knoxville, 48, or Steve-O, 45, skier Shaun White, 33, boxer Floyd Mayweather, 42—even Flavor Flav, 60
From inside the mask, the Robot described himself as ‘one part creativity, and one part grind.’
‘I relate to robots because I’ve always felt the need to put on a tough outer shell,’ he said, as a team of scientists put him together in a lab. ‘I think that makes me come across as inhuman, and it’s stunted my potential.’
Clues to his identity included an elements chart with the sign for Platinum, a video console, a fire truck, and a mention of wanting to ‘tip the scales’ in his own favor.
Inside the mask: From inside the mask, the Robot described himself as ‘one part creativity, and one part grind’
Potential: ‘I relate to robots because I’ve always felt the need to put on a tough outer shell,’ he said, as a team of scientists put him together in a lab. ‘I think that makes me come across as inhuman, and it’s stunted my potential’
Judge Nicole Scherzinger, 41, yelled ‘Who are you?’ at him as he sang, unaware that it was the same man with whom she once performed at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show.
Delighted by the judges’ inability to figure out who he was, the rapper said that he had chosen the robot outfit to appeal to his kids, who were big fans of the show and would be watching.
He explained that the element for platinum referenced his platinum records; the video game controller was a nod to his recent Xbox commercial, and the fire engine to his hit, Fireman.
Nicole: Judge Nicole Scherzinger, 41, yelled ‘Who are you?’ at him as he sang, unaware that it was the same man with whom she once performed at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show
Delighted: Delighted by the judges’ inability to figure out who he was, the rapper said that he had chosen the robot outfit to appeal to his kids, who were big fans of the show and would be watching
Explained: He explained that the element for platinum referenced his platinum records; the video game controller was a nod to his recent Xbox commercial, and the fire engine to his hit, Fireman
The third-season premiere of the program found the first group of six performers, dubbed Group A, singing classic hits while disguised in costume, with 12 more singers to come.
The show’s new singers clearly challenged the judges, though show host Nick Cannon, 39, gave them all a key clue: The six members of Group A had already appeared in nine SuperBowls.
It wasn’t easy to guess, acknowledged guest judge Jamie Foxx, 52, whom everyone had been sure was the Fox on last season’s show. In fact, the Fox had been actor Wayne Brady, 47.
Group A: The third-season premiere of the program found the first group of six performers, dubbed Group A, singing classic hits while disguised in costume, with 12 more singers to come
Host: The show’s new singers clearly challenged the judges, though show host Nick Cannon, 39, gave them all a key clue: The six members of Group A had already appeared in nine SuperBowls
Foxx arrives: It wasn’t easy to guess, acknowledged guest judge Jamie Foxx, 52, whom everyone had been sure was the Fox on last season’s show. In fact, the Fox had been actor Wayne Brady, 47
‘My mom, she comes in my room, she says, ‘I need you to wake up,’ Jamie recalled, laughing. ‘I need information. I got $200 on you. Is you the Masked Singer or not?’
He and the other judges put their skills to the test with White Tiger, an extremely tall and physically strong competitor, who came out with Vanilla Ice’s Ice, Ice Baby.
Before the show, the Tiger said his costume made him feel ‘the most powerful I’ve ever felt,’ and hinted that his life was usually about ‘perfection’ and ‘accomplishments.’
Mom story: ‘My mom, she comes in my room, she says, ‘I need you to wake up,’ Jamie recalled, laughing. ‘I need information. I got $200 on you. Is you the Masked Singer or not?’
Skills: He and the other judges put their skills to the test with White Tiger, an extremely tall and physically strong competitor, who came out with Vanilla Ice’s Ice, Ice Baby
Perfect: Before the show, the Tiger said his costume made him feel ‘the most powerful I’ve ever felt,’ and hinted that his life was usually about ‘perfection’ and ‘accomplishments’
His video package referenced legions of fans, a gold trophy, a boxing ring, a sign that read ‘Ultimate champion for clam shucking: 51 Clams,’ and a picture of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin above words from the Gettysburg Address.
Ken thought the ‘clams’ and ‘boxing clues pointed to Massachusetts native John Cena, 42, a WWE wrestler, while Jamie picked New England Patriot Rob Gronkowkski, 30.
Nicole opted for Aquaman Jason Momoa, 40, for his size and the clams reference.
Package: His video package referenced legions of fans, a gold trophy, a boxing ring, a sign that read ‘Ultimate champion for clam shucking: 51 Clams,’ and a picture of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin above words from the Gettysburg Address
Guesses: Ken thought the ‘clams’ and ‘boxing clues pointed to Massachusetts native John Cena, 42, a WWE wrestler, while Jamie picked New England Patriot Rob Gronkowkski, 30
The Turtle went next, with a professional-sounding version of Seal’s Kiss From a Rose, which captivated the audience, making Jamie look up and say, ‘Oooh.’
His video package pointed toward someone who’d had a lot of success, something Jamie had already guessed at from the moment he walked out. ‘At the start of my career, I was surrounded by hungry newcomers,’ the Turtle told the audience. ‘I watched as many of those stars burned too brightly, too quickly, and fizzled out.’
For his shoot, he stood on a running track, shining a surfboard and flipping burgers as three men in black suits bounced around on yoga balls and tried to beat each other to the finish line.
Turtle: The Turtle went next, with a professional-sounding version of Seal’s Kiss From a Rose, which captivated the audience, making Jamie look up and say, ‘Oooh’
Turtle clues: His video package pointed toward someone who’d had a lot of success, something Jamie had already guessed at from the moment he walked out. ‘At the start of my career, I was surrounded by hungry newcomers,’ the Turtle told the audience. ‘I watched as many of those stars burned too brightly, too quickly, and fizzled out’
Surfboard: For his shoot, he stood on a running track, shining a surfboard and flipping burgers as three men in black suits bounced around on yoga balls and tried to beat each other to the finish line
‘Slow and steady wins the race,’ the Turtle opined, stepping over their bodies to win.
Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, 47, felt the Turtle was a boy-bander, and Robin agreed, pointing out a ‘step by step’ clue, which put him in mind of Joey McIntyre, 47, from New Kids on the Block.
Nicole guessed Zac Efron, 32, observing that he’d carried a surfboard in the movie Baywatch.
Jenny’s guess: Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, 47, felt the Turtle was a boy-bander, and Robin agreed, pointing out a ‘step by step’ clue, which put him in mind of Joey McIntyre, 47, from New Kids on the Block
Guess: Nicole guessed Zac Efron, 32, observing that he’d carried a surfboard in the movie Baywatch
The Llama then waddled onto the stage in costume, ready to amuse the judges.
In his video, the Llama hosted a radio show called ‘The Wool: ‘Where we’re all cool, no bull.’
‘I’m here for one reason only—to have a laugh,’ he said. ‘And what’s funnier than a llama?’
Llama: The Llama then waddled onto the stage in costume, ready to amuse the judges
Llama: In his video, the Llama hosted a radio show called ‘The Wool: ‘Where we’re all cool, no bull’
His clues included a green Buddha, Joker and Ace playing cards for his love of jokes, a record marked ‘Sounds of Seattle,’ and a pottery studio like the one in the movie Ghost.
Llama’s cover of Ricky Martin’s She Bangs was underwhelming, but Jamie praised his bravery for sporting a crazy costume, and the singer admitted he liked wearing wacky threads.
Nicole wondered if it could be David Spade, 55, because of the ‘joker’ and Ace of Spades references, while Robin picked Joel McHale, 48, a former show guest judge from Seattle.
Clues: His clues included a green Buddha, Joker and Ace playing cards for his love of jokes, a record marked ‘Sounds of Seattle,’ and a pottery studio like the one in the movie Ghost
Underwhelming: Llama’s cover of Ricky Martin’s She Bangs was underwhelming, but Jamie praised his bravery for sporting a crazy costume, and the singer admitted he liked wearing wacky threads
Guesses: Nicole wondered if it could be David Spade, 55, because of the ‘joker’ and Ace of Spades references, while Robin picked Joel McHale, 48, a former show guest judge from Seattle
The pinky, fluffy Miss Monster crooned Bonnie Raitt’s Something To Talk About.
Her video package showed her using hairspray and makeup in a school restroom, and revealing that she was nervous people wouldn’t love her on the show.
‘When you become famous, people want you to look or act a certain way,’ she offered, as a room key marked ‘Fun’ was shown. ‘They forget that you started off as just a shy little monster. It didn’t take long for me to be misunderstood.’
Miss Monster: The pinky, fluffy Miss Monster crooned Bonnie Raitt’s Something To Talk About
Clues: Her video package showed her using hairspray and makeup in a school restroom, and revealing that she was nervous people wouldn’t love her on the show
Misunderstood: ‘When you become famous, people want you to look or act a certain way,’ she offered, as a room key marked ‘Fun’ was shown. ‘They forget that you started off as just a shy little monster. It didn’t take long for me to be misunderstood’
Miss Monster walked down the school’s hallway to a locker, and opened it to show photos of the Season 1 character Monster, who had been portrayed by rapper T-Pain, 34.
During Miss Monster’s song, someone in The Monster costume walked onstage to join her.
Afterward, Ken suggested Miss Monster might be Dolly Parton, 74, as he’d heard a twang in her voice, though Jenny thought it was the ‘younger, more soulful’ Mary J. Blige, 49, and Nicole opted for legend Dionne Warwick, 79, pointing to a video reference made to ‘monster hits.’
Mister and Miss Monster: Miss Monster walked down the school’s hallway to a locker, and opened it to show photos of the Season 1 character Monster, who had been portrayed by rapper T-Pain, 34
On stage: During Miss Monster’s song, someone in The Monster costume walked onstage to join her
Monster guesses: Afterward, Ken suggested Miss Monster might be Dolly Parton, 74, as he’d heard a twang in her voice, though Jenny thought it was the ‘younger, more soulful’ Mary J. Blige, 49, and Nicole opted for legend Dionne Warwick, 79, pointing to a video reference made to ‘monster hits’
‘I’m with you,’ Jamie agreed. ‘I knew she was a queen when she walked out… she was like, ‘Where’s my mark? Put me where I’m needed, and don’t have me in this too long.’
Kangaroo moved the crowd most with an emotional version of Robyn’s Dancing on My Own, which earned her a standing ovation.
‘Like most of you watching, I’m a survivor,’ she explained in her video, shot in ‘the Outback.’ ‘I recently lost a person who held my family’s heart together. Then, by my own admission, I found myself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.’
Kangaroo: Kangaroo moved the crowd most with an emotional version of Robyn’s Dancing on My Own, which earned her a standing ovation
Survivor: ‘Like most of you watching, I’m a survivor,’ she explained in her video, shot in ‘the Outback.’ ‘I recently lost a person who held my family’s heart together. Then, by my own admission, I found myself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons’
Kangaroo sported boxing gear and silver gloves for her shoot, and used a punching bag. She tried to evade paparazzi chasing her as a small gramophone was shown in a nearby tree.
‘I have to fight for my family, and show them that bullies never win,’ said Kangaroo, who was ‘beyond terrified’ to be on the show. ‘But I’m not about to lose the chance to realize a dream I’ve always had.’
The judges were blown away by her performance, which Robin described as ‘cathartic’ and ‘beautiful.’
Paparazzi: Kangaroo sported boxing gear and silver gloves for her shoot, and used a punching bag. She tried to evade paparazzi chasing her as a small gramophone was shown in a nearby
Fight: ‘I have to fight for my family, and show them that bullies never win,’ said Kangaroo, who was ‘beyond terrified’ to be on the show. ‘But I’m not about to lose the chance to realize a dream I’ve always had’
Performance: The judges were blown away by her performance, which Robin described as ‘cathartic’ and ‘beautiful’
‘You pulled us all the way in to your world, to your feeling, to what you’re going through,’ he marveled. ‘And we all leaned in.’
‘Listen, I’m gonna tell you like this,’ added Jamie. ‘Your story has already touched everybody… And you know I’m not a crier, crier, but I had a little ‘Uhhhh, uhhh.’
‘One of my greatest fears is being vulnerable,’ the Kangaroo said. ‘And this year, I’ve had no other option than to be vulnerable. But with this Kangaroo costume, I feel like I can get my superpowers back.’
Robin: ‘You pulled us all the way in to your world, to your feeling, to what you’re going through,’ he marveled. ‘And we all leaned in’
Touching story: ‘Listen, I’m gonna tell you like this,’ added Jamie. ‘Your story has already touched everybody… And you know I’m not a crier, crier, but I had a little ‘Uhhhh, uhhh’
Jenny thought it could be singer Jordin Sparks, 30, while Nicole focused on the term ‘survivor’ and the gramophone, suggesting the singer had a Grammy, like former Destiny’s Child star Kelly Rowland, 38. Robin chose Iggy Azalea, 29, who was tall, Australian and ‘fancy’ like Kangaroo.
‘Well, whoever you are, I’m crying,’ Jamie noted.
The Masked Singer’s Group A playoffs air Wednesday February 5 on FOX.
Guesses: Jenny thought it could be singer Jordin Sparks, 30, while Nicole focused on the term ‘survivor’ and the gramophone, suggesting the singer had a Grammy, like former Destiny’s Child star Kelly Rowland, 38. Robin chose Iggy Azalea, 29, who was tall, Australian and ‘fancy’ like Kangaroo
Airing: The Masked Singer’s Group A playoffs air Wednesday February 5 on FOX