This post contains spoilers from Wednesday’s episode ofThe Masked Singer.
So ah-maize-ing!
Mario Cantonegot unmasked as Maize on Wednesday’s episode ofThe Masked Singer.
“I was robbed!” theSex and the Citystar, 62, jokes to PEOPLE.
But he went out on the same night asGloria Gaynor, a.k.a. Mermaid, so Cantone considers that a win. “I was definitely disappointed, but when you’re voted off with Gloria Gaynor, you’re in good company,” he says. “It’s not a bad thing.”
The actor says he partially wanted to go onThe Masked Singerbecause he wanted to partake in Wednesday’sAndrew Lloyd WebberNight, where the English composer, 74, sat on the judges' panel.
“That was terrifying, but after all was said and done, and after all he said, that was a thrill,” Cantone says. “That was really worth it.”
Cantone offers up how it felt for Lloyd Webber to call him an “ingénue,” how his husband Jerry Dixon helped prepare him for the show and why he’s happySex and the Citydidn’t do a third movie.
Michael Becker/FOX, Stefanie Keenan/Getty
PEOPLE: You’ve done Broadway, comedy and acting—why go onThe Masked Singer?MARIO CANTONE:I’m a singer, I love to sing. And every time I do sing on television, it’s like, “I didn’t know you could sing.” It’s like, yeah. So that’s one of the reasons why. And it was just a great experience. I worked with my husband before we went out to L.A., and he picked a song for fromJesus Christ Superstar, because we knew it was going to be an Andrew Lloyd Webber Night, which is another reason why I wanted to do it. It’s definitely scary, but it was fun.I’m a beggar that’s choosy. I get asked to do a lot of stuff that I’m like, “Nope, I’m not doing that.” People might considerThe Masked Singera reality show. To me, a reality show is when they come into your life and you show your ass. That’s something I would never, ever do. I’ve been offered stuff like that. The great thing aboutThe Masked Singeris they don’t get into your life, because it’s a secret, and you just sing. This is classy show. It’s fun, it’s zany, it’s so crazy. But other stuff, like living in a house with 10 people for three weeks, no thank you. Never.
Did anyone else besides your husband know you were doing the show?No. It was very difficult to shut your mouth, with my big Italian mouth. I was like, “Be quiet!”
What did you make of Andrew Lloyd Webber calling you a “fantastic young voice?” He said he wanted to work with you!I would love to work with him any time. I met him afterwards, he was so nice. But I was like, “I’m not young. Yes, thank you for thinking I’m an ingénue. I appreciate it.” But it was hilarious. “Young and fresh.” I’m like, “Gosh, I’m five steps away from buying a walker.”
Michael Becker/FOX
Jamie McCarthy/Getty; Noam Galai/Getty
Were you disappointed not to move on in the competition?Did I want to move on? Sure. I would’ve done a few more. Why not? It was just a great experience.
What was it like performing inside the Maize costume?It’s weird, because you don’t see out of that thing. When we filmed it, I missed my mark a little bit. Those choreographers were so good, and in rehearsal every time, I nailed it. I knew where I was going. Vocally it was good, but I missed some. I was like, “Where am I?” As long as I didn’t fall off the stage, which didn’t happen, thank God.
RELATED VIDEO: Hayley Orrantia Compares Her Time onMasked SingertoX-Factor: ‘It’s Surreal’
You talked in your clue package about struggling to find your footing at the beginning of your career. How does it feel now looking back at all the success you’ve had?I’m really lucky thatSex and the CityandAnd Just Like That…came back. It’s thrilling. I’m having the time of my life. The first season was really… it was difficult because oflosing Willie [Garson], which was really hard. But working with all those people and those writers, and back again for a second season, I was happy about that.
How is shootingAnd Just Like That…season 2?We’re in it. I get my scripts like two at a time. I don’t wanna know anything. I like to discover what’s happening at the table read. That’s how I work. I’ve always been that way. So we’ll see, but so far, so good. We’re filming the first two episodes right now and it’s really exciting. It’s going to be a good season.
HBO Max
What does it mean to you that show has had this second life?The show’s a phenomenon. I was lucky to be a part of it, and the fact that it came back is an amazing thing at this point in my life. I don’t feel like, “Hey, I’m lucky to be a part of it.” I’m like, no, if it came back, they better call me! But it’s amazing. And it did really, really well, the first season. A lot of people watched.
Of course they did! Fans have been asking for a third movie or a reboot for years.I know. I’m glad we didn’t do the third movie now, because we wouldn’t have done this. We got to do a second season, so things work out for the best.
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The Masked Singerairs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
source: people.com
