Medusa Talks Winning ‘The Masked Singer’ Season 9 – Billboard

Spoiler alert: This story accommodates the id of the winner of season 9, revealed on Wednesday evening’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 sort of superstar in between. All of it led as much as The Masked Singer‘s closing battle of season 9 on Wednesday evening, through 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. Nevertheless, it nearly got here tumbling down throughout New York Evening, when Medusa and California Roll competed within the Battle Royale, singing “Uptown Woman” by Billy Joel. The panel of judges selected California Roll to go on to the subsequent spherical, however used their first-ever save on Medusa when choose Nicole Scherzinger rang the Ding Dong Preserve It On Bell.

Earlier than getting topped the winner of The Masked Singer on Wednesday evening, the judges have been perplexed when it got here to her id. Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg initially thought she is likely to be Ellie Goulding or Halsey, whereas Ken Jeong thought Medusa is likely to be 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 evening’s finale, sharing her emotion-filled journey to the crown, the inspiration behind her upcoming EP When All the pieces Went Darkish and the way Medusa helped flip her weaknesses to stone.

Congratulations in your large win! How does it really feel?

Thanks! It’s the coolest factor ever. I can’t consider that I may even share that that is occurring.

Did anybody in your private life suspect that Medusa was you?

I undoubtedly received quite a lot 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’re feeling very uncovered [laughs]. I felt very conscious of my physique and mannerisms. It was good to fly underneath the radar, although.

Alternatively, you bought in comparison with some wonderful artists. The judges thought you is likely to be Ellie Goulding, Halsey or Kesha. How did that really feel?

Always remember, additionally they stated Lorde at one level. I’m undoubtedly 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. Are you aware 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’t even clarify how all the things changed into gradual movement. They have been all yelling ‘Take it off!’ I actually thought that I used to be going to be going residence. You actually be taught in these moments how a lot you need to be there.

Now we have 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 ladies will be so many various issues suddenly actually is Medusa to me. To have the ability to use Medusa power 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 couple of hours and I used to be bombarding him and my husband with FaceTime. There is no such thing as a such factor as stability, however we are able to discover that area the place we get to do what we love, and in addition be current as a father or mother. I believe discovering these moments means all the things 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 fully evolves and adjustments.

With the bodily struggles of postpartum and selecting such troublesome songs to carry out, how did you handle all of it whereas in a dressing up?

I like performing a lot, and my favourite factor about performing is basically shedding myself in no matter tune I’m singing. I really feel like I received to make use of the truth that I actually lean into the emotion of each tune 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 evening, 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 All the pieces 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 turning into a mother, I felt like exploring the subjects of affection, loss, grief and, hopefully, by the tip of it, feeling empowered to maintain going. That basically is the primary factor that I actually am attempting 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 child 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 exhausting. You’ll be able to’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 this stuff occurring in such shut proximity, I all the time marvel that as a result of my son is somebody that actually helped me proceed. Even once I was pregnant, I made positive to work on my psychological well being simply to make it possible for I used to be going to be a grounded mother that would discuss what has occurred.

What do you hope viewers take away out of your Masked Singer journey?

All the pieces we’re speaking about, which is you will be a number of issues suddenly. Don’t be afraid to lean into these completely different sides of your persona and your spirit, and I hope that individuals really feel empowered to take action.