During the latest episode of Fox’s “The Masked Singer” that aired Wednesday, fans were shocked to discover that the contestant known as Scarab was none other than Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson. The reveal tied directly into her past collaboration with Brad Pitt, who she starred alongside in the film
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
This connection added an unexpected twist for viewers and fans of the actress as well as the competition.
Season 14 began earlier this month, featuring five contestants performing in full costumes for a live audience and a panel of judges composed of Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong, Rita Ora, and Robin Thicke. The episode surprised everyone by announcing a double elimination, with both Scarab and another contestant called Handyman being voted off in the same round.
Performance and Judges’ Guesses Before the Big Reveal
Scarab’s final performance was a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s
“Girls Just Want To Have Fun,”
which preceded the unmasking. Throughout the episode, the panel received multiple clues hinting at the identity beneath the costume. Rita Ora was the only judge to correctly guess that Scarab was Taraji P. Henson, while her fellow panelists proposed other notable names: Jenny McCarthy thought Angela Bassett, Robin Thicke suggested Regina King, and Ken Jeong guessed Cynthia Erivo.
The reveal took the live audience and judges by surprise, with audible gasps signaling their amazement. Upon removing the Scarab mask, Henson greeted the cheering crowd by saying, “I finally made it.” Ora followed with a remark,
“No, I mean this is crazy. I can’t believe we’ve got you on the show!”
Taraji P. Henson’s Reflections on Her Masked Singer Experience
Host Nick Cannon questioned the actress about her experience playing Scarab, emphasizing her history playing strong female roles. Henson responded with enthusiasm, sharing that performing behind the mask gave her a unique confidence and freedom.
“There’s a lot of things you can do hiding behind a mask,”
she said. Adding with a laugh,
“Because no one can see you! So you can get down. She was getting jiggy with it. But you can’t lip sync.”
Before exiting the stage, Henson expressed appreciation to the crowd and delivered a powerful rendition of Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” showcasing her vocal talent one final time on the show.
Handyman Revealed as Rapper Tone Loc
Shortly after Scarab’s departure, the other eliminated contestant, Handyman, was unmasked as legendary rapper Tone Loc, famous for his hits like “Funky Cold Medina” and “Wild Thing.” Robin Thicke correctly identified Tone Loc, while other judges speculated on possible identities, including Rita Ora suggesting Ice-T, Jenny McCarthy guessing Chuck D, and Ken Jeong considering Mr. T as a contender.
Upon discussing his time on the competition, Tone Loc shared a personal anecdote about his family’s reaction to his participation:
Dad, you’re not gonna do that.
Reflecting on the experience, he added,
“I like it, man. But I had a good time, and I love it.”
He also proudly stated,
“Proved them wrong! I’m 59-years-old and I’m still having fun.”
Before leaving the stage, Tone Loc performed a brief snippet of “Wild Thing,” delighting both the audience and judges one last time.
Audience and Social Media React to Double Elimination
The unexpected double elimination quickly sparked conversation across social media platforms like X, where fans expressed shock and disbelief at the departure of such high-profile contestants. Messages included sentiments like,
“TF YOU MEAN THEY SENT HOME TARAJI P. HENSON???”
and praise such as,
“@Taraji P. Henson was just showing her skills on #TheMaskedSinger.”
Fans excitedly confirmed the unmasked identities, sharing posts saying,
“Yep it WAS Tone Loc and Taraji P. Henson!”
and
“I knew it… #ScarabMask is Taraji P. Henson!!!”
Significance of Celebrity Reveals on The Masked Singer’s Impact
The unmasking of Taraji P. Henson, tying her to Hollywood’s elite through her work with Brad Pitt, enhanced the intrigue and intensity surrounding the competition. It reinforced the show’s appeal by unveiling accomplished celebrities outside of their usual roles, maintaining audience interest with surprise elements. Meanwhile, Tone Loc’s energetic participation reminded viewers that the program blends multiple entertainment genres, from music to celebrity mystery.
These eliminations contribute to raising stakes for remaining contestants as the season progresses, with fans and judges alike eager to see which notable figures will be revealed next. The combination of high-profile stars and unexpected pairings continues to define the dynamic nature of “The Masked Singer.”
