The identity of Scarab on The Masked Singer is no longer a mystery. In a surprising double elimination during the show’s “Clueless Night,” the intricate golden mask was removed to reveal award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson. The reveal on January 21 made Henson one of the most acclaimed celebrities to ever compete on the popular Fox singing competition.
Scarab Revealed as Actress Taraji P. Henson
The Scarab was unmasked as Taraji P. Henson during the third episode of The Masked Singer Season 14. Following her performance, host Nick Cannon declared Henson “the most decorated celebrity weโve ever had” on the show. Henson is an Oscar-nominated actress known for major roles in films like “Hidden Figures,” “The Color Purple,” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” and for her iconic portrayal of Cookie Lyon on the television series “Empire”.
The guessing panel had mixed ideas before the reveal. Judge Rita Ora correctly identified the voice as Taraji P. Henson. The other judges guessed different acclaimed actresses: Robin Thicke thought it was Regina King, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg guessed Angela Bassett, and Ken Jeong suggested Cynthia Erivo.
The Clues That Pointed to Taraji P. Henson
Throughout her time on the show, Scarab gave several clues that strongly pointed to a life and career matching Taraji P. Henson’s.
In her first clue package, Scarab described herself as a “golden goddess” and “the most decorated weโve ever seen,” mentioning she had “met presidents, dined with Brad [Pitt], even Prince knew my name”. Henson co-starred with Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and is a well-known superfan of the musician Prince. The clue about a shelf full of gold trophies aligns with Henson’s real-life awards, including a Golden Globe for Empire.
A later clue directly referenced a personal story about her father. Scarab shared that her dad predicted she would become a huge star and get an Oscar nomination but passed away shortly before the awards ceremony. This mirrors Henson’s real-life experience; she was nominated for an Academy Award for Benjamin Button in 2009 after her father’s death.
For the “Clueless Night” theme, her visual clue was cookie dough, with the voiceover stating, “I love baking under pressure to get where I am”. Fans quickly connected “Cookie” to Henson’s famous character name from Empire.
Scarab’s Performance and Elimination
For her final performance, Scarab sang a slowed-down, soulful cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”. This followed her powerful debut performance in the first episode, where she sang Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” and won her initial match-up.
Despite a strong start, her rendition during the “Clueless Night” episode was not enough to keep her safe. She was eliminated alongside Handyman, making it a double-elimination night.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Taraji P. Henson explained why she finally decided to join the show after years of speculation. “I heard about them guessing me every year, and I was like, well, let me just give the people what they’ve been asking for,” she said.
“I heard about them guessing me every year, and I was like, well, let me just give the people what they’ve been asking for.” – Taraji P. Henson
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“Clueless Night” Double Elimination
The third episode of the season, which aired on Wednesday, January 21, was themed around celebrating the 30th anniversary of the movie “Clueless”. The night opened with a group performance of “Kids in America” by several contestants.
The episode featured the season’s first wildcard contestant, Crane, who made a debut performance. Alongside Scarab, the other celebrity sent home was Handyman, who was revealed to be 1990s rap icon Tone Lลc, famous for hits like “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina”.
Tone Lลc told Variety he joined the show on a dare from friends. “They didnโt think that I would,” he said, noting his “macho” image. He described the secretive process as “FBI-type stuff” but concluded, “It was fun”.
Fan Reactions to the Scarab Reveal
On social media, fans shared their thoughts on the big reveal. Some viewers felt the voice was a clear giveaway. One fan commented on a post, “I knew the scarab. The voice was very noticeable”. The reveal confirmed what many viewers at home had suspected after hearing the first clues and performances.
What Happens Next on The Masked Singer Season 14?
With Scarab and Handyman eliminated, the competition continues. Other contestants unmasked earlier in Season 14 include comedian Tiffany Haddish as Le Who Who, reality TV personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley as The Croissants, and retired baseball star David Ortiz as Googly Eyes.
Contestants moving forward in the competition include:
- Snow Cone
- Pugcasso
- Crane
- Queen Corgi
- Owl
- High Voltage
- Galaxy Girl
- Eggplant
- 14 Karat Carrot
- Pangolin
- Stingray
- Calla Lily
Season 14 also features a twist called “Americaโs Insider,” where social media personality Kylie Cantrall provides clues while in costume as the Cat Witch. The audience knows her identity, but the judges do not.
The Masked Singer airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. Episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu. The next episode is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28.
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