With “The Masked Singer” gearing up for its highly anticipated 14th season, host Nick Cannon and the show’s star-studded panel — Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Robin Thicke, and Rita Ora — are taking a look back at the performances that helped turn the wild guessing game into a pop-culture staple. From genre-defying surprises to voices that stopped them cold, the judges were asked to name their all-time favorite contestants from the show’s first 13 seasons, and their answers reveal which stars truly left an unforgettable mark on “The Masked Singer” stage.
Nick Cannon’s Pick
Up first, Cannon told Parade his pick came down to a performance that redefined what these contestants could do on “The Masked Singer” stage.
He said, “I mean, for me, I would probably have to say Wayne Brady. Wayne killed it — it’s between Wayne Brady and Lil Wayne.”
Brady won season 2 of “The Masked Singer,” dressed as the dapper Fox. Lil Wayne was a contestant on season 3 and was the first celebrity unmasked and eliminated that season.
Rita Ora’s Pick
Rita Ora is now entering her fourth season as a member of the panel on “The Masked Singer.” She is the newest person here, but she has her pick for her favorite, which she said came from artists who tapped directly into her musical roots.
“I just loved Dru Hill and Sisqó and that whole era,” she told Parade. “I started singing all his songs back to him.”
Sisqó appeared during season 11 of the show, which was Ora’s debut season. He was the Lizard, and was the fifth celebrity unmasked and eliminated that season.
Ora added, “And Method Man. Those are sort of my two. Method Man was always my crush in real life.”
Method Man appeared during season 13 as the Stud Muffin, finishing in eighth place.
More Votes for Wayne Brady on ‘The Masked Singer’
It seems like Wayne Brady was a popular pick for “The Masked Singer” panel, as Robin Thicke and Ken Jeong both agree with Nick on this selection.
Thicke said, “Wayne Brady was pretty amazing. He won. Brady really — for the first time — rapped, sang, and did dance choreography. He blew our minds in the finale.”
When Jeong was asked his pick, he simply said, “Wayne Brady. Okay, next [question].”
Thicke also gave a shoutout to T-Pain, who won season 1 of the show while competing as the Monster.
Jenny McCarthy’s Pick
It looks like Jenny McCarthy had a lasting emotional impression by the person she picked. She said, “The one that I would say that I would want to come back is LeAnn Rimes. Her voice is literally from heaven. I’ve never heard a more angelic, perfect voice than LeAnn Rimes.”
Rimes competed and won as the Sun during season 4, which was stacked with singers that year. Besides Rimes, there was also Aloe Blacc, Nick Carter, Tori Kelly, Taylor Dayne, Clint Black and his wife Lisa Hartman Black, and Paul Anka.
Who would you pick as your favorite contestant from all 13 seasons?
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T-Pain is my favorite..