17-time Grammy-nominated R&B legend is unmasked on 'The Masked Dancer'

Yahoo Entertainment

On The Masked Dancer Wednesday night, the Group A playoffs brought back the Exotic Bird, the Tulip, the Hammerhead, and the Cricket – the latter of whom may have been bugging out when he fell just short of the Super Six after receiving the least amount of votes. So, who was the Cricket? It was 16-time Grammy nominee and R&B legend Brian McKnight.

The panelists were extremely honored to have McKnight in their presence. Even Ken Jeong shared that they have been wanting to have the singer on sister show The Masked Singer for a long time. However, McKnight shared, "The way I sound, you'd probably be able to pick me. But this, even though those were the most obvious clues on planet Earth, but it was fun because nobody knew it was me except Paula." McKnight also shared "being anonymous was great because I don't dance."

Meanwhile, viewers took to social media extremely thrilled to see McKnight's face underneath the Cricket mask. While many, like Paula Abdul, had guessed his identity before his unmasking, others were completely shocked by his reveal. And even though McKnight's time on the show is over, he was glad to give one last performance.

Video Transcript

[MUSIC - MONTELL JORDAN, "THIS IS HOW WE DO IT"] I'm kinda buzzed and it's all because this is how we do it. South Central does it like nobody does.

KYLIE MAR: On "The Masked Dancer" Wednesday night, the Group A playoffs brought back the Exotic Bird, the Tulip, the Hammerhead and the Cricket, the latter of whom may have been bugging out when he fell just short of the Super Six after receiving the least amount of votes. So who was the Cricket?

CRAIG: Take it off.

AUDIENCE: Take it off!

BRIAN: Oh! Oh!

CRAIG: 16 times "Grindelwald" Nominee, R&B legend, Brian McKnight!

KYLIE MAR: The panelists were extremely honored to have Brian McKnight in their presence, especially Ken Jeong who said he's been wanting to have the R&B legend on "The Masked Singer" for a long time.

- Why "Masked Dancer" and not "Masked Singer?"

BRIAN MCKNIGHT: The way I sound, you probably would be able to pick me. But this, even though those were the most obvious clues on planet Earth, but it was fun because nobody knew it was me, except Paula.

KYLIE MAR: Like Paula Abdul, some viewers had guessed that the Cricket's true identity. However, others were completely shocked by McKnight's reveal. But overall, everyone was happy to see McKnight under the Cricket mask, and McKnight gladly gave one last performance.

- I can't believe it's Brian McKnight.

- How cool is that?

[MUSIC - MONTELL JORDAN, "THIS IS HOW WE DO IT"] --I feel all right. The party's here on the West side, so I reach for my 40 and I turn it up. Designated driver take the keys to my truck.

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