‘The Masked Singer’ Reveals Identity of the Pickle: Here’s the Celebrity Under the Costume
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SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 10, Episode 4 of “The Masked Singer,” “2000s Night,” which aired Oct. 11 on Fox.
Michael Rapaport had never sung in public until “The Masked Singer.” Now, he can’t stop. Rapaport was unmasked on Wednesday as the Pickle, the latest costumed celebrity to go home on the hit Fox unscripted series.
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“I was nervous about it. I have never sang publicly before. I am not a singer. I’m not a dancer,” Rapaport told Variety. “But the world soon found out that I have the voice of an angel. My singing and my voice brings tears of joy. And I had a lot of fun doing the show. I came to win. Unfortunately, I didn’t win this season, but you know the impression of the Pickle will live on forever!”
No one guessed Rapaport, who sang Weezer’s “Beverly Hills” this week. Ken Jeong thought it was Howard Stern. Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg guessed Conan O’Brien. Robin Thicke named Joel McHale. Nicole Scherzinger went with Charlie Sheen.
“I love that they never got me,” Rapaport said. “I was scared shitless that they were going to figure me out. But I loved that I got away scott free. And I was very proud of that. It’s because the voice wasn’t the persona that they think of as Michael Rapaport. The voice is golden.”
Pickle and S’more faced off in the “battle royale,” both taking turns performing “Sugar, We’re Goin Down,” by Fall Out Boy. S’more won that round, and heads to next week’s Group A Finals with Cow and Gazelle.
Had he continued to the following week, Rapaport said he was preparing a disco number. “I took the competition aspect seriously and I took the platform and the whole thing seriously,” Rapaport said. “I’m not fucking around, I wanted to win the show. They set you up to succeed and I did the very best I can and had a ball doing it.” Rapaport is now touring his comedy show across the country, including upcoming appearances on Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 in Chicago.
Michael Rapaport as Pickle joins Tom Sandoval as Diver, Anthony Anderson as Rubber Ducky and one-time special guest Demi Lovato as Anonymouse as the Season 10 unmasked celebrities so far.
By the way, Rapaport — a “Vanderpump Rules” superfan — didn’t find until after taping last week’s reveal that he was on “Masked Singer” with Sandoval. “I didn’t figure it out!” he said.
It was a 2000s throwback night, kicked off by Season 6 winner Jewel — whose biggest hits were in the 1990s. But that’s OK, at least she did open the show with her 2001 hit “Standing Still,” so that still squeaked in.
“The Masked Singer” features a new format this season, with three groups followed by Battle Royale semi-final episodes. The season also includes the return of Wild Card contestants, with one Wild Card introduced to each group, and the “Ding Dong Keep It On Bell” is back in the Battle Royale semi-final episodes, where the judges can choose to save one contestant from elimination and move them directly to the finale.
With sixteen total celebrity singers, Season 10 features new costumes including “Donut,” “Anteater,” “Hawk,” “Hibiscus,” “Diver,” “Gazelle,” “Royal Hen” and a life-size “S’More.” Also returning to mark the show’s 10th are celebrities who have been previously unmasked since the show began. According to the show, Season 10 contestants “boast a combined 40 medals, 33 Grammy nominations, seven hall of fame awards, three lifetime achievement awards and over 50 tattoos.”
The season’s themed episodes will include a tribute to Elton John; a “Trolls Night” tied to the November release of DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls Band Together”; a “Harry Potter Night” airing the week of Halloween; “NFL Night”; “One Hit Wonders”; “Disco”; “2000s Night”; “I Wanna Rock”; and “Soundtrack of My Life.” Back for Season 10 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke.
Here were the other performances on this week’s episode:
Cow
Song: “Cry Me A River,” by Justin Timberlake
Panel guesses: Ne-Yo, Taye Diggs, Mario
Clue: Brought out by Kate Flannery. “Moooosical.” “The 2000s were really good to me. So much in fact, that I got to star in a musical.”
Package voiceover: “I am so over the moon after last week’s performance. And I am psyched to be here for the 2000s night, because that’s the decade that it all started for me. My friends and I decided to pack up a van and head to the Capitol Records building in Hollywood, determined to get a record deal. We pulled into the parking lot and started performing on top of the van, convinced we would get signed. Instead, security kicked us off the property. But we kept coming back, every single day. While we didn’t make it then, today my picture hangs in the Capitol Records hall, and the bigwigs see me all the time. Now that the group finals is in sight, I’m bringing that same determination because one thing is for sure: This cow isn’t coming home any time soon. Moo!”
Previous songs: “Bones,” by Imagine Dragons; “Treasure,” by Bruno Mars
Previous panel guesses: Shawn Stockman, Usher, Leslie Odom, Jr., Trey Songs, Ne-Yo, Mario, Nelly, Jason Derulo
Gazelle
Song: “Lucky,” by Britney Spears
Panel guesses: Mandy Moore, Hillary Duff, Ashley Tisdale
Clue: Presented by Kate Flannery (“The Office”). DVD of “Gazelle’z Love Story.” “The 2000s are a special time for me because it was when I had my film debut.”
Package voiceover: “I love this costume. I have to tell you, the first time I saw it, I started crying. Deer are really meaningful to me, because they’re a symbol of someone I loved and lost. It happened just a few weeks before my wedding. One of the most important people in the world to my husband and I passed away unexpectedly. We somehow carried on with the wedding, but it was all a blur. Except during our vows. When suddenly rain came pouring down on us. It was magical. We knew then that our loved one was there with us. When I put on the Gazelle mask, I carry his adventurous spirit with me, and I know he’s part of the secret to my success here.”
Previous song: “Uninvited,” by Alanis Morrisette; “The One That Got Away,” by Katy Perry
Previous panel guesses: Camila Mendes, Lucy Hale, Vanessa Hudgens, Leighton Meester, Constance Wu, Auli’i Cravalho
S’more
Song: “Hey There Delilah,” by Plain White Ts
Panel guesses: Jordan Knight, James Marsden, Rob Thomas, Ashley Parker Angel
Clue: Presented by Lance Bass. “S’more Bros 2000 Tour.” “2000s were a busy time for me. I was busy touring with my bros.”
Package voiceover: “Boy, you keep wanting s’more of me, don’t you! I’m just so stoked to be here on 2000s night — my decade, baby! Hanging out on the set of TRL, my music videos playing on MTV. And most importantly, the birth of my child. Learning to be a dad while touring the world has been intense. At a certain point I realized I wanted my kid to have a constant supportive father figure in their life. So, I took a step back from performing so that I could stay in one place. Now, being on stage once again feels extra special because they get to see me back in my element. I’m so proud to be their dad, and I hope they’re proud of me tonight.”
Previous songs: “Slow Hands,” by Niall Horan; “Moves Like Jagger,” by Maroon 5
Previous panel guesses: Joey McIntyre, Justin Guarini, Kevin Richardson, JC Chasez, Kevin Richardson, Simu Liu
Pickle
Song: “Beverly Hills,” by Weezer
Panel guesses: Charlie Sheen, Sean Penn, Joel McHale
Clue: Presented by Lance Bass. Pickles with wigs, which says “Friends.” “I’ve done so many things for so many years, and people always associate me with my famous friends.”
Package voiceover: “OMG, I can’t believe I made it to 2000s night! But while I may have this big smile plastered on my face, I’ve got a salty side too. So, it feels fitting to be on here during 2000s night. The decade when Internet beef was born. Look, I’m outspoken. And I’ve gotten into a few fights you may have heard about. I’ve butted heads with NBA players, Real Housewives, award-winning directors, bloggers, movie stars, even entire online publications. Having a public feud really is performance art that I’ve perfected. But, I’m always open to reconciliation. I’ve even rekindled friendships with some of my former adversaries. So, my advice to anyone who wants to pickle a fight with me tonight: Take a chill pill.”
Previous song: “Pinball Wizard,” by the Who
Previous panel guesses: Craig Kilborn, Dax Shepard, Conan O’Brien, Howard Stern
“The Masked Singer” is produced by Fox Alternative Entertainment, with James Breen (who is also showrunner), Craig Plestis and Cannon as executive producers.
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