‘The Masked Singer’ Reveals Identities of Koala and Love Bird: Here Are the Celebrities Under the Costumes
SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 11, Episode 6 of “The Masked Singer,” “Transformers Night,” which aired April 10 on Fox.
Former “The Bachelor” star Colton Underwood knows the symbolism of his being unmasked on a reality show — in this case, “The Masked Singer” — is huge. Underwood, a former pro football player who made history as the first star of “The Bachelor” to come out as gay, was one of two celebrities to be revealed on Wednesday night’s show — the other being another ex-NFL player, the Hall of Fame, former pro football linebacker DeMarcus Ware.
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“You’re obviously protected by a mask, which was symbolic for me in many ways just because I’d worn one my entire life until I wasn’t,” Underwood told Variety. “To put one back on to go on stage and do something that I’ve never done, something I never thought I was going to do, was sort of symbolic and so fun.”
In the case of Underwood, who was revealed as “Love Bird” on the show, it’s a return to unscripted TV following “The Bachelor” and his Netflix series “Coming Out Colton.” “I really sort of needed to step away from being back on everybody’s televisions and I needed to work on my coming out experience and my personal life, my relationship,” said Underwood, who got married in 2021. “I just felt like this season was the time to say yes. I’m in a great place in my life. I’m really happy and the challenge was something I needed.”
In the case of Ware, revealed as the “Koala,” the decision to go on “The Masked Singer” came after producers saw him perform the national anthem at the football hall of fame. “They were like, ‘hold on, wait a minute, he can sing a little bit,” Ware said. “I sing in the car, the shower, you name it. It’s a huge passion of mine. I was on the singing group in junior high. When we won the Super Bowl, there was a lot of singing.”
Ware said he also liked the serendipity of the Koala because his two-year-old son’s favorite toy is a stuffed koala doll. “This is one of the biggest reasons I really did it,” Ware said.
For the Love Bird, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg got it right with former “The Bachelor” star Colton Underwood. Robin Thicke said it was Josh Duhamel; Rita Ora guessed the Situation from “Jersey Shore.” Ken Jeong went with a joke guess in Dwayne Johnson.
And then, for Koala, no one figured out it was DeMarcus Ware, although everyone did name a one-time football player — just the wrong one. Ora picked Terry Crews, Jeong said Deon Sanders, McCarthy-Wahlberg thought it was Shannon Sharpe and Thicke went with Michael Irvin.
DeMarcus Ware as Koala and Colton Underwood as Love Bird join Sisqó (Lizard), Billy Bush (Sir Lion), Joe Bastianich (Spaghetti & Meatballs), Savannah Chrisley (Afghan Hound) and Kevin Hart (Book) as the celebrities unmasked on “The Masked Singer” this season.
Back for Season 11 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke, while Rita Ora has joined the desk to fill in for Nicole Scherzinger, who was in London to star on the West End’s “Sunset Boulevard.”
“The Masked Singer” Season 11 features themed episodes including “The Wizard of Oz,” in celebration of the 85th anniversary of the classic film; “Transformers” (marking the brand’s 40th anniversary) and music tributes including “Billy Joel Night” and “Queen Night.” Additional themes include “Girl Groups,” “Soundtrack of My Life,” “TV Theme Night” and “Shower Anthems.”
With sixteen total celebrity singers, including three “wildcards,” Season 11 features new costumes including “Gumball,” “Lizard,” “Ugly Sweater,” “Goldfish,” “Starfish,” “Book,” “Gumball,” “Miss Cleocatra,” “Afghan Hound,” “Beets,” “Poodle Moth,” “Clock,” “Spaghetti & Meatballs,” “Lizard,” “Koala” and “Sir Lion.” According to the show, the Season 11 contestants boast a combined 22 Grammy nominations, 11 platinum albums, 33 Teen Choice nominations, 108 million records sold, 326 film appearances and 1.7 billion Spotify streams.
Group C’s Poodle Moth and Clock will be back later this season for the quarter finals.
Here were the Group A performances on Wednesday’s Episode 6, “Transformers Night”:
Goldfish
Song: “Baby Come Back,” by Player
Panel guesses: Sarah Hyland, Kristen Stewart, Nina Dobrev
Bumblebee clue: “A true performer, Goldfish famously put her heart, sould and tears into her work.”
Package voiceover: “I felt that last performance in my soul. And I’m hyped for tonight, because who doesn’t love Transformers? Sometimes, the most transformative moments are actually breakups. I always thought I would be married young, like my mom. But dating in Hollywood is hard. And this Goldfish wasn’t always lucky. Imagine trying to move on, and when you literally see your exes everywhere. And even having your moments turned into TikToks. It forced me to reflect and focus on what I need. Now, here is a song for anyone who has ever had their heart broken. But if the lyrics cut deep, take it from me, there are plenty of fish in the sea.”
Previous song: “Vampire,” by Olivia Rodrigo
Previous panel guesses: Lea Michele, Selena Gomez, Carly Rae Jepsen
Starfish
Song: “21 Guns,” by Green Day
Panel guesses: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph
Optimus Prime clue: “A true teammate, Starfish has won awards as part of a talented group.”
Package voiceover: “You guys made this material girl feel like a million bucks! Being here has allowed me to unlock my inner pop star. Growing up, while other kids played in the sandbox, I played with a jukebox. That machine transformed my life. It opened my ears to Clapton and Fleetwood Mac, and of course, Green Day. And it inspired me to join a band. I toured the nation. I’ve been lucky to dabble in many tidepools. This Starfish is versatile, baby. I mean, if those robotic things can turn into lots of different stuff, then so can I! Now, here I come, guns ablazin’!”
Previous song: “Material Girl,” by Madonna
Previous panel guesses: Catherine O’Hara, Cheri Oteri, Molly Shannon
Ugly Sweater
Song: “Brick House,” by Commodores
Panel guesses: Lionel Richie, Charlie Wilson, Smokey Robinson
Bumblebee clue: “Ugly Sweater spends his time wisely. Some might say that he earned a lifetime achievement award.”
Package voiceover: “Y’all made me feel warm and fuzzy last time. There’s one person in my life who helped me tap into my inner Optimus Prime: My wife. When I met my soul mate, we couldn’t be more opposite. My life was unraveling, and hers was all buttoned up. I was consignment, and she was couture. I was on top of the charts, and she… didn’t know who I was. Sometimes unlikely pairings just work together, like plaids and stripes. She built me up, one brick at a time. And now, I’m going to get down with a fun song, just for my sweater half.”
Previous song: “The Best,” by Tina Turner
Previous panel guesses: Charlie Wilson, Nile Rodgers, Verdine White
Love Bird
Song: “All That You Are,” by Goo Goo Dolls
Panel guesses: The Situation, Nick Viall, Colton Underwood, Dwayne Johnson
Optimus Prime clue: “Love Bird has made television history before. And he is looking to do that again, by winning the Golden Mask.”
Package voiceover: “Last time, you all had me feel right at home on this stage. And I feel even more at home here on Transformers night. Because as a kid, I was obsessed. I love that Transformers robots can hide in plain sight. And I know exactly how that feels. The world got to know me as someone I wasn’t. But I was celebrated, so I ran with it. Eventually, I had to escape the cage I was placed in. And the truth is what set me free. Since then, I’ve tried to use my voice for good. Helping people from courthouses to White Houses. And tonight, let me be a reminder to don’t hide. Share all who you are.”
Previous song: “Home,” by Phillip Phillips
Previous panel guesses: Travis Kelce, Odell Beckham Jr., Nick Viall
Koala (WILD CARD)
Song: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” by Tears for Fears
Panel guesses: Michael Irvin, Deon Sanders, Terry Crews
Optimus Prime clue: “He’s on a short list with some of the greatest of all time.”
Package voiceover: “Ah, the Koala. He’s cute, but can also be extremely defensive. Don’t worry, I don’t bite. I’m actually kind of shy. When I first started out, I wasn’t superstar material. I actually avoided interviews. And if you put me on the spot, I’d forget my words. Want to know how to make a Koala disappear? Point a camera at me! Then I broke out with my first hit. I was forced to speak up, and everything changed. Now, you can’t get me to shut up. Just like Bumblebee, it took me a while to find my voice. But I’ve learned, when you raise it up, you can rule the world.”
Last season’s performers included Ne-Yo as Cow, John Schneider as Donut, Macy Gray as Sea Queen and Janel Parrish as Gazelle join John Oates as Anteater, Keyshia Cole as Candelabra, Sebastian Bach as Tiki, Ginuwine as Husky, Ashley Parker Angel as S’more, Metta World Peace as Cuddle Monster, Luann de Lesseps as Hibiscus, Tyler Posey as Hawk, Billie Jean King as Royal Hen, Michael Rapaport as Pickle, Tom Sandoval as Diver, Anthony Anderson as Rubber Ducky and one-time special guest Demi Lovato as Anonymouse.
Fox Alternative Entertainment is behind “The Masked Singer,” which is exec produced by showrunner James Breen, Craig Plestis, and Nick Cannon. The series is based on the South Korean format created by Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp.
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