Spoiler alert: This story comprises the identification of the winner of season 9, revealed on Wednesday night time’s (Might 17) episode of The Masked Singer.
Like one thing straight out of Greek mythology, Medusa’s journey to the Masked Singer crown was a heroic one.
It was a star-studded season, which featured iconic actors Dick Van Dyke, Malin Akerman, George Wendt and Lou Diamond Phillips; spectacular singers like Sara Evans, Debbie Gibson, Michael Bolton, Dee Snider and Pentatonix; and each kind of superstar in between. All of it led as much as The Masked Singer‘s remaining battle of season 9 on Wednesday night time, by which two of the season’s favorites, Macaw and Medusa, went head-to-snake-filled-head.
All through the season, Medusa wowed judges with mystical, highly effective renditions of Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever,” Rihanna’s “Diamonds,” Shawn Mendes’ “Mercy,” My Chemical Romance’s “Welcome to the Black Parade” and extra. Nonetheless, it virtually got here tumbling down throughout New York Evening, when Medusa and California Roll competed within the Battle Royale, singing “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel. The panel of judges selected California Roll to go on to the following spherical, however used their first-ever save on Medusa when decide Nicole Scherzinger rang the Ding Dong Preserve It On Bell.
Earlier than getting topped the winner of The Masked Singer on Wednesday night time, the judges have been perplexed when it got here to her identification. Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg initially thought she is perhaps Ellie Goulding or Halsey, whereas Ken Jeong thought Medusa is perhaps the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, and Robin Thicke guessed Kesha. Scherzinger predicted Tove Lo or Lorde, earlier than precisely guessing the lady behind the parable: British-American singer-songwriter, Bishop Briggs.
The star — recognized for her passionate vocals in hits like “River” — spoke to Billboard earlier than Wednesday night time’s finale, sharing her emotion-filled journey to the crown, the inspiration behind her upcoming EP When Every part Went Darkish and the way Medusa helped flip her weaknesses to stone.
Congratulations in your huge win! How does it really feel?
Thanks! It’s the coolest factor ever. I can’t imagine that I may even share that that is taking place.
Did anybody in your private life suspect that Medusa was you?
I positively bought loads of textual content messages and I attempted my finest to maintain it a secret. I simply can’t wait to textual content all of them again tonight and inform them they have been proper.
You had the judges fairly stumped all through the season. Was it thrilling to be the key however unbelievable expertise on the present?
I wasn’t tremendous shocked that I didn’t get guessed simply because I’m nonetheless an up-and-coming artist. I’ll say although, when Nicole finally guessed me, unexpectedly you are feeling very uncovered [laughs]. I felt very conscious of my physique and mannerisms. It was good to fly underneath the radar, although.
Then again, you bought in comparison with some wonderful artists. The judges thought you is perhaps Ellie Goulding, Halsey or Kesha. How did that really feel?
Always remember, in addition they stated Lorde at one level. I’m positively holding on to these and by no means forgetting that it’s the best factor ever.
Nicole Scherzinger additionally saved you earlier within the season. Have you learnt her personally and the way did it really feel to be championed by her all through the present?
I have no idea her personally, however I’m clearly obsessed together with her. Coming into the present, she was vocalist that I actually, actually admire and I really feel like she’s actually underrated for what an unbelievable vocal expertise she has. I imply, she sings like Whitney Houston. So the truth that she had any response to my voice, it meant a lot to me. And with the bell, that second, I can not even clarify how the whole lot become gradual movement. They have been all yelling ‘Take it off!’ I actually thought that I used to be going to be going house. You actually study in these moments how a lot you need to be there.
We have now to speak about your wonderful costume. Why Medusa?
I really feel that she is somebody who was actually misunderstood and I used to be balancing quite a bit once I was on the present. I used to be six months postpartum. I used to be a brand new mother and I used to be pumping in between performing. I really feel like the concept girls will be so many various issues abruptly actually is Medusa to me. To have the ability to use Medusa energy once I actually wanted it, meant a lot.
Balancing your postpartum journey with this present sounds powerful.
I barely balanced it in any respect. I used to be writing notes to my son even when I used to be away just for a number of hours and I used to be bombarding him and my husband with FaceTime. There isn’t a such factor as steadiness, however we are able to discover that house the place we get to do what we love, and likewise be current as a dad or mum. I believe discovering these moments means the whole lot and it’s not talked about sufficient. I’m nonetheless on the journey of postpartum and it’s loopy how a lot your thoughts and physique utterly evolves and adjustments.
With the bodily struggles of postpartum and selecting such tough songs to carry out, how did you handle all of it whereas in a fancy dress?
I like performing a lot, and my favourite factor about performing is admittedly dropping myself in no matter track I’m singing. I really feel like I bought to make use of the truth that I actually lean into the emotion of each track to my benefit. I additionally really feel just like the snakes have been good luck charms and so they whispered to me. The corporate stored me heat at night time, so I believe there was a aspect of it the place I wasn’t alone on stage.
It’s an thrilling yr for you. You launched a brand new single, “Baggage,” and your EP, When Every part Went Darkish, is out June 23. What’s the story behind your new music?
It’s about these previous few years, the previous, current and future. I misplaced my sister actually unexpectedly. The journey of grief is an ever evolving one and, with that and changing into a mother, I felt like exploring the subjects of affection, loss, grief and, hopefully, by the top of it, feeling empowered to maintain going. That actually is the principle factor that I actually am making an attempt to work on, not solely as an artist and thru the EP however as a human being. Then I’ve a tour developing, that I’ll be bringing the infant on, after all. I’m actually excited to have the ability to carry out the songs.
Is it unusual to have grief co-exist with the enjoyment of bringing a brand new life into the world?
Sure, and it’s so arduous. You may’t assist however really feel like maybe the brand new life was a present left behind from that liked one. The quantity of instances that you just hear about these items taking place in such shut proximity, I at all times marvel that as a result of my son is somebody that basically helped me proceed. Even once I was pregnant, I made certain to work on my psychological well being simply to make it possible for I used to be going to be a grounded mother that might speak about what has occurred.
What do you hope viewers take away out of your Masked Singer journey?
Every part we’re speaking about, which is you will be a number of issues abruptly. Don’t be afraid to lean into these totally different sides of your persona and your spirit, and I hope that individuals really feel empowered to take action.