The Robot is unveiled in shocking ‘Masked Singer’ premiere

There are reality show surprises, and then there are shocking reveals that shake an entire group of panelists, the fans watching at home and a show’s host. The Masked Singer absolutely falls into that second category every week, but it was a supersized night of shocks with the show’s post-Super Bowl debut on February 2. There, six of the 18 fresh competitors kicked off Season Three with new special effects and electric performances that left everyone’s jaws on the floor and more tongues wagging out than a Shakira-JLo performance at halftime.

The new crew

Only on this show can you get a full zoo of characters like White Tiger, Turtle, Kangaroo and Llama, and combine them with a Robot and this year’s answer to Season One champ Monster (aka T-Pain), Miss Monster. Those were the six characters that had the studio audience on its feet and clapping, and while some easily pushed to the top of the pack, it was Kangaroo that had people legit crying with her performance of “Dancing on My Own.”

You can tell #KangarooMask is a fan of hip-hop... #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/9JoURM4hHt

— Robin Thicke (@robinthicke) February 3, 2020

So who is Kangaroo? Of all the performers the internet seems to be the most hung up on that one. Sure, fans are convinced Tiger is Gronk, Llama is Jack Black and Turtle is Jesse McCartney, but the early guesses for the outback performer include everyone from Jordin Sparks and Demi Lovato to someone connected to Kobe Bryant. And because she was so good, she’ll probably stick around until the very end of this thing, so it’s safe to assume everyone will be guessing her identity for the next couple of months, at least. How roo’d.

Jamie Foxx needs to make this a full-time gig

After weeks of anticipation, Jamie Foxx joined Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong and Jenny McCarthy as a guest panelist to help guide viewers into all of the right guesses with his slick comments and cool demeanor. Naturally he hid his own identity with a mask before host Nick Cannon introduced him to viewers, and he then told everyone how the show ruined his life last year when people thought he was Thingamajig. Even his mom put money on him being under that mask. How could he not come on the show, given all that?And what a glorious time it was. Foxx’s guesses were actually informed and clever, but he also doled out gems like the “snerdle” for a neck-shimmying dance move, and slayed with a killer Jay-Z impression. He also put his paws up and called out White Tiger for singing the “white homey theme song,” "Ice, Ice, Baby," which proved he has a unique take on this competition that should be a weekly—not occasional—part of the show. So if the powers that be are listening, sign him up. Immediately.

The Robot is dismantled

One personality that everyone guessed right away was The Robot. Or actually, make that everyone except the panelists. It's likely a lot harder when you’re taping this show to make awesome predictions every single time (unless you’re Ken Jeong that is), but fans were very much frustrated that not one of them guessed it was Lil Wayne under that elaborate costume. Only Nicole came close, but she ultimately decided it was Floyd Mayweather under the mask.

#TheMaskedSinger #RobotMask @MaskedSingerFOX ?? pic.twitter.com/VdqvYQC2sh

— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) February 3, 2020

Even the host himself, who interacts with the contestants more than anyone from his spot on the stage, seemed legit blown away when the mask came off and the “A Milli” rapper was revealed. “He just made this show so much cooler,” Cannon gushed while Thicke was kicking himself because he’s worked with the guy five—FIVE!—times in the past and had no clue.“My kids, man, my kids,” Weezy revealed about why he wanted to do the show and the idea for the costume. “My kids watch the show with me and [I] know they’re going to like the robot costume.” Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the rapper also dropped a new album, Funeral, on January 31, and free publicity following the Super Bowl never hurt anyone. Let’s just call it what it is: a win-win. Or is that a touchdown?The Masked Singer continues in its regular slot on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV.