Drake Bell, the former Nickelodeon star, brought unexpected depth to Wednesday’s episode of “The Masked Singer,” as he was revealed to be the mysterious Ice King. The unmasking came during the show’s special Miley Cyrus Night, during which Bell delivered a powerful performance called “Midnight Sky.”
In a particularly moving momBell Bell addressed his recent media presence, referencing his appearance in the Investigation Discovery documentary “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids’ TV.” The former “Drake & Josh” star spoke candidly about his initial hesitation to share his story of childhood abuse.
“The night it was released, I was a total disaster. FrozBell Bell revealed in his pre-performance package. “But once I saw how many people could relate, I felt the weight lifted off my shoulders.” His vulnerability struck a chord with both the audience and the judges.
Host Nick Cannon showed solidarity with his fellow Nickelodeon alum, stating, “We are just truly supportive of that journey, man.” Bell responded with genuine appreciation: “It’s been a long road and difficult, but to come here and do something like this and see the support and put smiles back on people’s faces, this is why we’re entertainers.”
The episode featured several noteworthy moments, including Bell’sell’s revelation. The remaining contestants – Strawberry Shortcake, Royal Knight, and Sherlock Hound – joined Ice King in opening the show with Cyrus’s hit “Party in the U.S.A.” The night maintained its entertaining spirit with Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg recreating Cyrus’s iconic “Wrecking Ball” moment by swinging on a giant strawberry prop.
The judging panel brought their usual mix of insight and humor. McCarthy-Wahlberg initially correctly identified Bell but switched her final guess to James Franco. Rita Ora suggested Shia LaBeouf, and Ken Jeong proposed that Joe Jonas and Robin Thicke guess Cole Sprouse.
A lighthearted moment occurred when Bell questioned McCarthy-Wahlberg about a rumored past date with his brother. She quickly cleared the air: “Well, guess what? No, we didn’t. I’m sorry. I had a boyfriend the whole time.”
The show continues its triumphant 12th season, having already unmasked several notable celebrities:
- Bethany Hamilton as Macaron
- Natalie Imbruglia as Bluebell
- Laverne Cox as Chess Piece
- Andy Richter as Dusty Bunny
- Paula Cole as Ship
- Marsai Martin as Woodpecker
- Yvette Nicole Brown as Showbird
- John Elway as Leaf Sheep
Looking ahead, the show promises more excitement with themed episodes celebrating Mattel’s Barbie’s 65th anniversary and “Footloose’s” 40th anniversary. The competition maintains its innovative elements, including the “Ding Dong Keep ItBell bell and celebrity Masked Ambassadors featuring previous contestants like Dick Van Dyke, Jewel, Ne-yo, and DeMarcus Ware.
“The Masked Singer” continues blending entertainment with genuine human moments, proving its staying power in reality TV. The show airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on Fox, with a special Thanksgiving episode featuring the Peanuts gang scheduled for next Thursday.