Spoiler alert: This story contains the identity of the contestant who was eliminated on Wednesday night's (April 17) episode. The masked singer.
Its 11th season The masked singer has so far featured a very eclectic group of rejected girls, including comedian/actor Kevin Hart (Book). restaurant Joe Bastianich (Pasta & Meatballs); TV personalities Savannah Chrisley (Afghan Hound), Billy Bush (Sir Lion) and Colton Underwood (Lovebird). as well as NFL Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware (Koala) — and real life singer Sisqó (Lizard) as well.
On Wednesday night (April 17), Ugly Sweater smashed it with some incomparable high notes on 'Queen Night', during a celebration of the iconic British rock group in the Group A finals. After wowing the judges in an earlier episode with a funk-forward cover of the Commodores' “Brick House,” Sweater did it again with a sweet, soulful route through Queen's 1984 power ballad “I Want to Break Free.”
When it came time to guess, the judges were in the neighborhood, with Robin Thicke praising the singer's signature “disgusting” notes on “House” (and quickly guessing the singer's identity), while judge Rita Ora guessed that he would could be Smokey Robinson, Jenny. McCarthy-Wahlberg guessed Aaron Neville (having earlier guessed Lionel Richie covered his own song) and the ever-wrong Ken Jeong aimed too young with New Jack swinger Johnny Gill.
Who was this masked man who has 13 Grammy nominations and a padlock Advertising signThe top adult male R&B artist with the most No. 1s in that category to date? None other than former Gap Band singer and solo star Charlie Wilson, known for hits like “Party Train,” “You Dropped a Bomb on Me,” “Oops Upside Your Head” and his featured vocals on songs by rappers including Snoop. Dogg, The Notorious BIG, Pharrell, UGK and Tyler, the Creator, among many others.
In addition to his surprise appearance alongside Tyler at last weekend's Coachella — where he performed on the rapper's 2019 single “Earfquake” and performed a bit of The Gap Band's “Outstanding” — Wilson, 71, received a star at Hollywood Walk of Fame in January and is currently promoting his own Advertising sign Top Five Adult R&B Chart Singles “Superman”.
Advertising sign spoke with Wilson before his elimination to find out how T-Pain inspired him to enter the Disguised game, how wearing the Ugly sweater wasn't a vacation, and what it was like to slide down the main stage at Coachella last weekend.
Be honest: Had you ever watched this show before they contacted you?
Oh! Yes! I saw what T-Pain won [in season 1 as Monster]. I was so excited for him. I know T-Pain, he's done songs for me and he's a very talented young man. I saw it was fun and wanted to be a part of it, but it took a while because I was busy doing shows and recording. I thought, “I can do this,” so it finally fell into my lap.
Some iconic old-school and new-school R&B greats have appeared on the show—Bobby Brown, Faith Evans, Toni Braxton, Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, Sheil, Gladys Knight—so it seems there's no shame in putting on a show. this suit right?
Yes, my costume was… oh my god. It was made for me and was one of the most expensive costumes they made for the show. The [showrunners] he kept telling me to try and make sure I stay as long as I can because [they said], “We spent a lot of money on this suit!” It was so heavy! So, so heavy I could barely walk in it. The feathers on the head were 8 to 10 pounds a piece and they had to take some out. I could barely lift my legs!
It seems like a great showcase for so many of these classic R&B singers, especially some of your old school peers.
I don't know about anyone else, but I didn't think it was a showcase for me, because I'm still making No.1 records. I actually have a top song this week with one of my records [Wilson is in the top five on Billboard‘s Adult R&B Airplay chart with “Superman”]. I'm the only one out there still making top five records in the business!
You've been at it for over 50 years, so tell me: Is this the weirdest gig you've ever had?
It's a blessing and a curse at the same time, because a lot of people don't want to see me do these records as well as they do. All those people you mentioned wish they had the records I have. So, yeah, I don't pop my collar all the time, but people bring it up.
The judges' guesses were all over the place, but mostly in the pocket. I can't imagine you were embarrassed to be mistaken for Smokey, Aaron or Lionel?
[Laughs] No, Robin Thicke said, “That's Charlie Wilson!” I just opened my mouth. I was like, “Oh man, I'm toast!” i just opened my mouth and sang! He said, “I studied his voice and I know him like the back of my hand.” I was like, “Could you be quiet for a second?” It was tearing me apart.
Speaking of, how did it feel to sing that Commodores song? Was there any rivalry with them during your bands heyday in the 1970s and 80s?
Oh man, it's always been that way [rivalry] because if the bands are good, they will be in it. I won't stand by and have someone call me a booty [someone who is uncool or weird]. I'll call you. I will chase you like you chase us! It was all fun, not hostile, we were all in on the fun. I love the Commodores.
You've had so much success working with rappers over the years — especially Snoop and Tyler. What do you like about hip-hop? And tell me about joining Tyler at Coachella last weekend.
It's great whenever I sing with these rappers or someone from the old days comes for me and it's their idea. If they want to do it, I'll do it. I'm so, so blessed to have rappers still coming for me.
