‘The Masked Singer’ Season 6: Premiere disclosed the identity of the Octopus: Here’s the star behind the mask

B-ball star Dwight Howard will essentially have additional time presently to focus in on taking a championship back to Los Angeles. The Lakers player was the main superstar to be unmasked on Season 6 of Fox’s “The Masked Season,” which returned on Wednesday — the first of a two-night premiere and double elimination.

The other eliminated contestant, Mother Nature, will not be exposed until Thursday’s episode.

Howard wore the Octopus costume, and sang “Tutti Frutti,” by Little Richard. He said it was his mom’s favorite show, henceforth the decision to join “Masked Singer.”

“I enjoyed every moment,” Howard told Variety in his exit interview. “Oh man, it was hot and sweaty. I couldn’t really move my head a lot like I wanted to. And even though I couldn’t dance like I really wanted to, I still tried to do enough, and it was great.”

NBA superfan Ken Jeong quickly realized it was Howard and singled him out right away. “Based on your story, I just think [it’s you],” he said.

Given the Octopus’ height, basketball players were a popular choice. Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg speculated Dennis Rodman and Nicole Scherzinger thought it was Shaquille O’Neal. Robin Thicke thought it was Joel Embiid.

Why pick the Octopus outfit? “I think Octopus chose me,” Howard joked. “I think he wanted to kind of get his personality out there. Most people are afraid of octopus. They’re mysterious, they’re these creatures that people do not want to mess when they get into the ocean. But they like to eat them sometimes, which is crazy. But I felt like we needed to bring out some of our character and show people a different side of who we are. When I became the octopus I was able to let go of my fear.”

Howard said he initially began thinking regarding doing “The Masked Singer” after his name sprung up during Season 2, when NBA star Victor Oladipo contended as the Thingamajig. A great deal of watchers contemplated whether it was Howard. Then, at that point, last season during his experience with the Philadelphia 76ers, Howard said he and his partners would sing a melody while rehearsing at the free-toss line, and once more, others proposed that he should attempt “Masked Singer.” So when he got an email from the production asking about his interest, Howard was ready.

Howard said he “was kind of bummed” to leave the show unexpectedly early, yet that “it gave me the confidence that I needed and I was good after that. I would have wanted to carry on and do more songs, and complete the show but, just doing that show was great for me.”

Howard was prepared to sing “It’s Your Thing” for his subsequent number on the off chance that he had returned. Here was the voiceover for Octopus’ clue package: “I wanted to become the Octopus because eight is a lucky number, and I’m a lucky guy! I reached success at a young age, and I felt like I had it all. And all I could do was smile. But everyone took me smiling as me not being serious. People wanted me out. And I fell. And when you’re this big and you fall, you fall pretty hard. In order to get a fresh start, I had to let go of my ego. But I told you, I’m a lucky guy.”

“The Masked Singer” enters Season 6 with 16 competitors, and the arrival of a studio audience interestingly since the pandemic started. This current season’s outfits incorporate Baby, Banana Split, Beach Ball, Bull, Caterpillar, Cupcake, Dalmatian, Hamster, Mallard, Mother Nature, Octopus, Pepper, Pufferfish, Queen of Hearts and Skunk.

The Season 6 contestants boast a joined 85 Grammy Nominations and 27 successes, three Academy Award assignments, 12 Emmy Nominations, 12 Razzie Award Nominations, two Super Bowl appearances and two Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Additionally new this season, a “Take It Off” bell will permit the show’s specialists to rashly request a VIP eliminate their veil, in case they’re persuaded they know what it’s identity is.

The show’s panelists will by and by seek a “Golden Ear” trophy dependent on their initial feelings of each masked performer (which McCarthy has won the last multiple times) — and in week one, every one of the panelists’ final guesses were additionally their initial feelings. That implies Jeong got a point.

For Mother Nature, Jeong and McCarthy Wahlberg both guessed Tiffany Haddish. Scherzinger went with Chelsea Handler however changed to Tracee Ellis Ross for her pick. Thicke’s first impression was Ross, and he stayed with her for his pick.

Here were different contestants and their performances on night one:

Skunk

Song: “Diamonds,” by Sam Smith
Likes: “The Executive Suite.”
Dislikes: “Coffee without cream.”
Voice-over: “I chose to be the skunk because I relate to the duality. The yin and yang to it all. And while life’s not always black and white, there are always certainly two sides to every story. I’m here to tell mine. Over the years, I’ve seen it all, honey. There might be misconceptions that I’m quick to get into a fight. But honey, that couldn’t further from the truth. I learned you don’t always have to react when provoked. I took a break for a minute to focus on family. But I’m ready to get back out there and make it do what I do, boo.”
Panel guesses: Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson, Sade

Pufferfish

Song: “Say So,” by Doja Cat
Strength: “Nothing she can’t fix.”
Weakness: “Keeping secrets.”
Voice-over: “I’m excited about becoming the pufferfish. Because I know a thing or two about defending myself. For most of my life, I wanted to blend in but I just couldn’t. I was that weird kid in science class who messed up all the experiments. And don’t get me started about singing. My voice was always different, and not always in a good way. I was ridiculed a lot, so I had to learn to stand up for myself. I think that’s what made me so successful. Tonight, I’m hoping to stand out like I have my whole life.”
Panel guesses: Maya Rudolph, Paula Abdul, Issa Rae, Jessica Alba

Mother Nature

Song: “I’m Coming Out,” by Diana Ross
Strength: “Patriotic.”
Likes: “Flowers.”
Voice-over: “I’m excited to be Mother Nature, because I’ve done it all. As seasons changed, so did I. But there’s one thing I’ve never had the chance to do: Be a mother. It took me a while to come to terms with it, until I realized the family I already have. Even though I’m not a mother, I’m very protective of the ones that I love. If you come after them all cray cray, this whole wave of shame will come your way, honey! Tonight, I’m going to blossom. Because darling, life is good.”
Panel guesses: Aisha Tyler, Tiffany Haddish, Chelsea Handler, Tracee Ellis Ross

The Bull

Song: “Drops of Jupiter,” by Train
Strength: “Calm under pressure.”
Likes: “Fast food.”
Voice-over: “I grew up in a small, small town that was surrounded by cows. Most people in the town didn’t really go anywhere, but I had bigger dreams. So I left and I traveled around the entire world looking for my destiny: To be the greatest of all time. The doors I knocked on simply didn’t open. I heard ‘no’ again and again and again. But I didn’t give up. I became my own boss and eventually Hollywood and even Forbes took notice. There’s so much more for me to prove. And I want to do that here.”
Panel guesses: Hunter Hayes, Lance Bass, Brian Littrell, Sisqo, Dwayne Johnson