This post contains spoilers from Wednesday’s episode ofThe Masked Singer.
It was anything but a silent night onThe Masked Singer’s season 4 finale Wednesday.
HostNick Cannonpromised the episode — where Crocodile, Mushroom and Sun competed for the Golden Mask trophy — would be “a gift better than anything under your tree” and called the finalists the show’s “strongest power vocalists of all time.”
CROCODILE
The reptile also shared thatThe Masked Singergave him “the freedom to completely express the real me that for so much of my life has been hidden.”
After each performance, the finalists gave a holiday gift to a panelist who “is near and dear to their hearts,” Cannon, 40, explained. Crocodile gaveJenny McCarthyan angel. “Thank you for your kind words,” he said to McCarthy. “You helped me believe in myself a little bit more.
Michael Becker/FOX
MUSHROOM
Mushroom followed up with a version ofStevie Wonder’s “I Wish.” In his clue package, Mushroom called his daughter his inspiration for his character.
“I channeled her mannerisms, her voice, her love of dressing up every time I step out on this stage and she doesn’t even know I’m doing this,” he said.
Mushroom gave his holiday present — a gallon of mushroom cookie dough ice cream — toNicole Scherzinger. “You’ve been so sweet to me with all your compliments so here’s a sweet holiday treat for you,” he said.
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SUN
Sun closed out the finale withBrandi Carlile’s' “The Story,” which she called “a tribute to the person who has loved me through some of my toughest times.” “He’s always encouraged me to fly and our bond is a testament that love really does conquer all,” Sun said in her clue package.
The bright star also hinted that viewers might know her from different eras of her career.
“I’ve been in the industry a really long time, since I was a kid,” Sun said. “Depending on when you discovered me has probably influenced who you think I am. You might see me as the little girl with big dreams or a pop princess or the more grounded woman I am today, but as the Sun, for the first time in my career, I’ve gotten to show that I’m all of those things in one.”
For her gift, Sun presentedRobin Thickewith mistletoe — “A little something to say thank you for all your compliments and encouragement this season,” she explained.
“As far as I’m concerned you’re meant to beThe Masked Singer,“Ken Jeongtold Sun. “You’re amazing.”
THE UNMASKINGS
Once all three finalists gave their last performances, the judges and virtual audience voted on who they wanted to win. First, Cannon announced that Crocodile took third place. The panelists' final guesses for who could be under the costume included Nick Lachey (from Jeong), Jordan Knight (from Scherzinger) and Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough (from Thicke).
But when the toothy pink mask came off, another Backstreet Boy,Nick Carter—who McCarthy guessed — turned up underneath. “I had to pull every trick out of the bag that I had,” the boy band member, 40, said after being revealed. “I mean, there are some talented artists [that have] been on this show. And I’m just grateful to be here.”
Crocodile; Nick Carter.Michael Becker/FOX; Heidi Gutman/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Carter also gave a shoutout to his wifeLauren Kitt, son Odin, 2, and daughterSaoirse, 14 months. “To my family back home, I love you,” he continued. “My two little croc-lings, Daddy’s coming home.”
Then Cannon revealed the winner: Sun!
Before she could take off her glowing getup, the panelists offered up their last guesses for Mushroom. McCarthy, 48, suggested Ne-Yo and Jeong, 51, thought it could be Pharrell Williams. Scherzinger, 42, and Thicke, 43, agreed onAloe Blacc— and they were right!
Mushroom; Aloe Blacc.Michael Becker/FOX; Trae Patton/NBCUniversal via Getty
“Music is truly the language that connects us all and I got a chance to experience that and do just that here on this stage,” the “I Need a Dollar” singer, 41, said following his unmasking.
Ahead of Sun’s reveal, Cannon awarded McCarthy the Golden Ear trophy for making four correct impression guesses, the most of any judge.
Then McCarthy offered up one final guess: that Sun could beLeAnn Rimes. Scherzinger agreed with McCarthy, but Jeong proposed Mandy Moore and Thicke tossed out Katherine McPhee.
McCarthy proved why she earned the Golden Ear trophy — and Scherzinger got it right once again — when singer Rimes appeared under the Sun outfit.
Sun; LeAnn Rimes.Michael Becker/FOX; Paul Archuleta/Getty
“This has been an overwhelming experience,” the two-time Grammy winner, 38, said. “I didn’t expect this to be this much work. I have to say. I was thinking like, I’ll come on, this will be easy. This will be fun. And it was a blast.”
The Masked SingerspinoffThe Masked Dancerpremieres Dec. 27 andThe Masked Singerwill return in the spring for season 5.
source: people.com
