The Masked Singer: Metta World Peace reveals identity after performing as Cuddle Monster during Trol

September 2024 ยท 6 minute read

Metta World Peace revealed his identity after performing as Cuddle Monster on Wednesday during Trolls Night on The Masked Singer on Fox. 

The 44-year-old former pro basketball player, formerly known as Ron Artest, wore a giant monster outfit with chakra symbols on front while performing during the season 10 episode that aired before the release on Friday of Trolls Band Together.

'One of the greatest to ever do it on the court,' said show host Nick Cannon, 43, as Metta Sandiford-Artest removed his mask. 'That's crazy.'

'It was an amazing experience,' Metta said. 'I loved the character and the chakras. I was asking them to make it more Zenful, you know? We from the hood, but you know, we like the Zen, too, you know what I mean?'

'Exactly,' Nick said.

Mask off: Metta World Peace revealed his identity after performing as Cuddle Monster on Wednesday during Trolls Night on The Masked Singer on Fox

Mask off: Metta World Peace revealed his identity after performing as Cuddle Monster on Wednesday during Trolls Night on The Masked Singer on Fox

'I'm star struck,' admitted panelist Ken Jeong, 54.

'You have such a beautiful energy and spirit about you and it just showed through, and we all just fell in love with you,' Nicole Scherzinger, 45, said.

'I was trying to make it fun,' Metta said.

Metta said he can't wait for his grand-baby to see him on the Fox show.

As Cuddle Monster, a pink fluffy beast with a knitted hat, Mettta came out and sang You Got It (The Right Stuff) by New Kids On The Block. He shared as his clues that he grew up in a beautiful, but sometimes violent place, and got out because of his passion.

'I had sponsorship deals, sneakers, even a record or two,' Cuddle Monster said. 'Despite all that fame and recognition my trauma was keeping up with me, and I couldn't quiet the monster inside. I was self destructing during the peak of my career.'

He said he learned later how to take a step back and make his inner cuddle monster sing. His additional clue included the word 'champion. '

Robin Thicke, 46, thought it might be Dennis Rodman. Ken guessed it might be Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green. Nicole was convinced it was Shaquille O'Neal and said she once did a song with him back in the day.

Big costume: Cuddle Monster was one of the largest costumes ever on the show and included a pink body, chakra spots and a knit hat

Big costume: Cuddle Monster was one of the largest costumes ever on the show and included a pink body, chakra spots and a knit hat

Amazing experience: 'It was an amazing experience,' Metta said. 'I loved the character and the chakras. I was asking them to make it more Zenful, you know? We from the hood, but you know, we like the Zen, too, you know what I meann?'

Amazing experience: 'It was an amazing experience,' Metta said. 'I loved the character and the chakras. I was asking them to make it more Zenful, you know? We from the hood, but you know, we like the Zen, too, you know what I meann?'

On stage: Cuddle Monster sang You Got It (The Right Stuff) by New Kids On The Block

On stage: Cuddle Monster sang You Got It (The Right Stuff) by New Kids On The Block

Coming soon: The season 10 Trolls Night episode aired before the release on Friday of Trolls Band Together

Coming soon: The season 10 Trolls Night episode aired before the release on Friday of Trolls Band Together

'I have an in-depth education in basketball thanks to the Kardashians,' Jenny McCarthy, 51, quipped. 'It said ''keeping up with me' in the clue package.'

Jenny guessed it was Tristan Thompson, but none of the panelists were correct.

Cuddle Monster and Anteater competed in a Smackdown after receiving the least amount of votes. The two both sang Can't Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake and hugged when they finished. Cuddle Monster received the lower score and was voted off.

Poppy and Branch from the new Trolls Band Together movie opened the show with their own dance number. Even the judges got into the theme. Ken wore a bright red troll wig and Nicole wore a pink wig with a bright pink dress.

Anteater, wearing a straw hat and overalls, was the first contestant to take the stage and sang I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys. He shared clues that included: a lost and found sign, race cars, watermelon and a picture of Jenny and Nicole on a coin.

'Why are we on the coin? Did we make out with him maybe?' Jenny said.

'I don't know,' Nicole said.

'I thought that was a very soulful, beautiful performance,' Robin said.

Nicole threw out John Cougar Mellencamp's name as a possibility.

Anteater shared an additional clue that read 'hall of fame.' Jenny said she was kind of wishing he was Willie Nelson because he got inducted recently into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Candelabra, a painted gold melted candle stick, went next and belted out All My Life by K-CI & JoJo while the audience sang along. She shared clues to her identity that included that her mother was in and out of her life and she learned at a young age that the only person she could depend on was herself. The clues included dancing shoes and a castle.

First up: Anteater, wearing a straw hat and overalls, was the first contestant to take the stage and sang I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys

First up: Anteater, wearing a straw hat and overalls, was the first contestant to take the stage and sang I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys

On fire: Candelabra, a painted gold melted candle stick, went next and belted out All My Life by K-CI & JoJo while the audience sang along

On fire: Candelabra, a painted gold melted candle stick, went next and belted out All My Life by K-CI & JoJo while the audience sang along

'That was a beautiful song choice and you could really tell that music was your medicine,' Nicole said. 'And you hear that pain and you feel that struggle and the heart through your performance.'

Candelabra's additional clue included the words 'real tea.'

'I want you to know that on and off the camera I'm keeping it 100 percent real,' Candelabra said.

Nicole thought it could be a singer that had a reality show such as Keyshia Cole, 42. Jenny thought it might be Ashanti. Ken guessed she might be Kelly Rowland because she had a reality show called Chasing Destiny.

Donut, a giant pink glazed donut head with sprinkles with donuts for legs, sang I Do [Cherish You] by 98 Degrees. Donut's clues included a film slate and that he lost the love of his life. The crowd cheered for Donut when he finished.

'Not a dry eye in the house,' Nick said.

'That was so powerful and so beautiful,' Robin said. 'I've lost my father, and I think we've all lost somebody very important to us around this point in our lives and I understand what you're feeling, what you are going through.'

'I thank you very much, it was all for her,' Donut said.

Donut's additional clue was 'seasoning'.

'I am well seasoned and I've been enjoyed by several generations,' Donut said.

Strong performance: Donut, a giant pink glazed donut head with sprinkles with donuts for legs, sang I Do [Cherish You] by 98 Degrees

Strong performance: Donut, a giant pink glazed donut head with sprinkles with donuts for legs, sang I Do [Cherish You] by 98 Degrees

Ken thought it might be Stanley Tucci. Robin thought maybe it could be Tom Jones. Nicole guessed it might be British singer Engelbert Humperdinck.

'A few years ago his beautiful wife Patricia passed and I know that it was very real for him,' Nicole said.

'I never thought a Donut would make me cry,' Robin said.

The Masked Singer will return next Wednesday on Fox.

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