The Masked Singer was balling on Wednesday night (Nov. 15), when one of the NBA’s most recognizable athleted of the 2000s was unmasked.
The celebrities got their helmets and sang their heart for Trolls night, a pop night. Cuddle Monster performed “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” by New Kids on the Block, Anteater hit “I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys and Donut sang “I Do (Cherish You) by 98 Degrees.
Donut had it licked as Cuddle Monster and Anteater accumulated the least number of votes, and entered the smackdown with a performance of Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”
For Cuddle Monster, an early retirement.
Under the fluffy mask was Metta World Peace, the controversial former NBA star who is remembered as much for his role in the infamous “Malice at the Palace” brawl in 2004 (when he was known by his birthname, Ron Artest), as he is for a superb pro career, during which he won an NBA championship with the Los Angles Lakers (in 2010), and earned a string of league honors, including All-NBA, All Star and defensive player of the year.
“It was an amazing experience,” he told host Nick Cannon. “I love the character and the chakra, I was asking to make I more zenful. We’re from the hood. But you know, we like a zen too.”
Under the costume, “I was trying to make it fun,” he added. “I can’t wait for my grandbaby to see this.”
The former NBA star isn’t afraid of holding a mic. He’s released a string of hip-hop records, both as Metta World Peace and Ron Artest.
Metta World Peace departs the 10th season of Fox’s wacky singing competition, joining the likes of Luann De Lesseps as Hibiscus departs the competition, joining the likes of Posey as Hawk, Billie Jean King as Royal Hen, Michael Rapaport as Pickle, Tom Sandoval as Diver, Anthony Anderson as Rubber Ducky and Demi Lovato as Anonymouse as this season’s unmasked celebrities.
Robin Thicke, Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong and Jenny McCarthy return as judges for the latest season, which airs Wednesdays on Fox at 8 p.m.
