Photo: Michael Becker/FOX; getty
Rock Lobster rocked the stageonThe Masked SingerWednesday, putting his unique spin onABBA’s “S.O.S.”
Unfortunately, the studio audience voted for Rock Lobster to the first contestant eliminated on ABBA Night, so he popped off the crusty red head and unmasked as comedianHowie Mandel, whom judgeKen Jeonghad name-checked shortly before Mandel’s reveal.
“I’m disappointed I didn’t make it all the way to the finale,” theAmerica’s Got Talentjudge, 67, tells PEOPLE. “I did a lot of preparation and I felt that my voice and my moves are a gift. And the gift was returned.”
Michael Becker/FOX
Season 9 ofThe Masked Singerintroduced a bell that the panel — which also includesJenny McCarthy,Nicole ScherzingerandRobin Thicke— can ring to save up to three contestants in the first round. But they didn’t save Mandel.
“I think they’re going to regret it,” theHowie Mandel Does Stuff Podcastcohost quips. “I think they’re going to think, ‘Oh my God, we didn’t know what we had.’ Sometimes when something is so good, you don’t realize it until it’s gone.”
Mandel jokingly reveals how get got into character as Rock Lobster, why he calls being inside the costume his “happy place” and where he sees his singing career going from here.
Why did you go onThe Masked Singer?HOWIE MANDEL:I wanted to sing, I wanted to dance, I wanted to share. I hope people smile. But I hope they realized, “Hey, he’s so much more than just a judge. He’s so much more than just a host. That man can move. That man can sing. That man is the whole package.” I took it very seriously. The night before, I bathed in hot butter just [to] get into character.
You could segue into beauty TikToks.Well, that’s why I had so much faith in myself. I sing and I dance on TikTok. I have 10.6 million followers. I thought, “Oh my God. It’s time to unveil me on a national broadcast platform.” And lo and behold, I was booted. One song and I’m out. The perfect song, I might say.
Johnny Louis/Getty
Why did you think “S.O.S.” was a good song choice for you?S.O.S, help! I’m screaming, “Help!”
Maybe you should start dressing as Rock Lobster in real life.I tried! I asked them, “Can I keep this suit, please?” And they said, “No.” So they just rip your head off and they send you home in your sweaty undergarments.
RELATED VIDEO: Hunter Hayes Says the Best Part ofThe Masked SingerWas How They ‘Celebrate Individuality’
What was it like being on the other side of the stage as a contestant instead of a judge or host? Did it give you a new perspective aboutAmerica’s Got Talentcontestants?It did. Especially when I got cut. I really was hurt in getting cut. And I felt, “Oh my gosh. This must be what it feels like on my other show.” Empathy is a good thing to have. And this allowed me to kind of experience what I’ve been empathetic about. But I really was disappointed in getting cut. I thought I was fantastic.
There’s nothing you would’ve done differently?Oh, no, no. I hit every mark, every note. I’m not going to point any fingers or claws or whatever at anybody. I thought that sometimes the dancers weren’t able to keep up with me. I thought that sometimes the music, the actual musical track behind my voice, missed some of the notes and were off-key. But as far as my performance, my voice was perfection, my moves were perfection. It’s hard to keep up with perfection. And therefore, I think that’s what eventually got me cut. Not my fault. If it was just a solo and there was no dancers and it was a capella, I think I’d still be there in the competition.
Heidi Klum pressing her Golden Buzzer.Trae Patton/NBC
Everything’s a learning experience.It really is. And I’ve learned a lot. And I think a lot of people learned a lot. When people watch this episode — and they should watch not only this episode, but they should play it back and they should play it back for their children and for their children’s children. Because it just shows when you have a dream, dreams do come true if you pursue it. I pursued it, and I got it. And with all the things that I have done in my career and all the successes that I have enjoyed, the ability to sing my heart out inside a 30-pound crustacean, it happened for me. And it could happen for you too. Dreams do come true. I’ve done it all. ButMasked Singer: pinnacle.
Who of your famous friends do you expect to hear from about your performance?If I had to guess, the first call I’m going to get is probablyBeyoncé.
Asking you to come on the tour with her this summer?She’s already made some commitments, but oh my God, I would put other things aside if she’s interested. And then I also think that the NFL will be looking at me for next year for halftime.
So you feel like this performance will really resonate?You don’t go in and go, “Oh, this is going to be viral. Everybody’s going to love this.” But then you do it and you go, “Oh my God, this was viral. Everybody loves this.” I think I’ve created dance moves that didn’t exist before and even sounds musically that haven’t existed before. I think people are going to record that and try to do duets and have a Rock Lobster Challenge. I’m a trailblazer, and I think a lot of people are going to get on that trail. And I think I have just created a path for our future singers and dancers on TikTok and on television and on Spotify and wherever you get your music.
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The Masked Singerairs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
source: people.com
