*Warning: Spoilers ahead*
Last week, we finally narrowed it down to the Super Nine and had to say goodbye to the T-Rex (aka Youtube star, Jojo Siwa). And during last night’s April fools episode, a Snoop Dogg lookalike joined the panel, Jenny McCarthy showed everyone her armpits and we lost another contestant. Oh, and did we mention it was a two-hour special?
Once it was revealed that Snoop Dogg was really an impersonator, Turtle kicked off Group A with a performance of “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood and he confessed that he’s “not known for just one thing.” Kangaroo followed with Dixie Chicks’ “Not Ready to Make Nice.” White Tiger showed off his dance moves to Right Said Fred's “I'm Too Sexy,” before he revealed that he’d never sung in front of a crowd before (by the sound of his voice this entire season, we’re not surprised). The audience voted and chose White Tiger as the first to join the bottom three of the night.
Kitty started things off for Group B with "It's All Coming Back to Me Now," by Celine Dion, followed by Banana who showed off his patriotic side with a performance of "Sweet Home Alabama," by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Frog took things up a notch by rapping "Jump" by Kris Kross and we’re not going to lie, it wasn’t bad. Unfortunately, Banana was voted to join White Tiger in the bottom three.
Group C’s performances were hands down the best of the night (perhaps that’s why they were saved for last). Night Angel performed Andra Day's "Rise Up" and received a standing ovation from all of the panelists. Rhino followed up with a rendition of "What a Man Gotta Do" by the Jonas Brothers. Last but not least, Astronaut shocked the audience and viewers at home with an awesome performance of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up." It was so good, in fact, that Astley even took time out of his day to praise the performance on Twitter. Unfortunately, Rhino’s fun performance wasn’t enough to save him and he was sent to the bottom three.
And, now, the results. After the judges and audience voted for their favorite performers of the night, White Tiger was eliminated and revealed himself to be former New England Patriot’s tight end, Rob Gronkowski.
Guys, you know what this means right? This is one of the few times in the history of The Masked Singer that from the season premiere, audience members and panelists alike guessed correctly who was under one of the masks. We’re breaking down some of Gronk’s biggest giveaways and put us on the right track.
For one, his first-ever clue package included the words “Four score and seven years ago,” which is a Gettysburg address reference tied to Boston (where the Patriots play). Four score also means 80 and, with the addition of seven score, it equates to 87—Gronk’s old jersey number. There was also a clam shucking trophy in the clue package, too, which is very New England.
In episode two, he revealed that "dancing heals my body after taking a beating." Gronkowski has been known to bust a move, most recently with the L.A. Lakers cheerleaders. White Tiger’s episode three clue package featured his college roommate dressed as a dartboard in a bar with a Route 66 sign. Gronk went to University of Arizona in Tuscon, a city that Route 66 runs through.
Another important but subtle clue was that the costume included eight bright blue stones (which match the number of rings that Gronk has from his three Super Bowl and five Pro Bowl wins).
We love when things come together purrrfectly. Sorry, we had to.
The Masked Singer returns on Wednesday, April 9, at 8 p.m. PT/ET on Fox.
