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‘The Masked Singer’ disclosed the identity of the Orca: Here’s the star behind the mask

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Wherever Mark McGrath goes, individuals will stop and they’ll see… the Orca.

The Sugar Ray singer and former “Extra” have was the latest celebrity to be revealed on “The Masked Singer,” where he had proceeded as the Orca. McGrath sang “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” by Poison, for his second and last performance.

“I think it might be the only competitor in the history of ‘The Masked Singer’ whose costume is way cooler than they are in real life,” McGrath said of his costume. “When I saw the Orca I thought, oh my god, it’s perfect. I’ve got some head room. I thought energy was gonna be my go to. It was never going to be my five-octave vocal range that we know that doesn’t exist. I was gonna have to get by on a little chutzpa and rock and roll, and a whole lot of luck, and the Orca costume really lent that to me.”

None of the show’s panelists sorted out it was McGrath. Robin Thicke and Ken Jeong thought it was Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg guessed surfer Kelly Slater and Nicole Scherzinger thought it was Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl.

“My head was expanding inside that Orca costume,” he said. “All these guesses in real time, all those Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members. My performance was good but they’ve got a beautiful way at ‘The Masked Singer’ of really uplifting and celebrating everybody. Whether your Rob Gronkowski or LeAnn Rimes, they are going to make you feel so good about yourself. And that’s a beautiful part of the show. I was blown away to hear those guesses.”

McGrath was the show’s first “Wildcard,” acquired in mid-competition to perform. He said he didn’t realize that going into the show.

“’The Masked Singer’ is very good in the information is given on a need to know basis only,” he said. “I didn’t know I was coming out as a wildcard. In my mind, a wildcard means you had a bull’s eye on your back. I was kind of thrown by that, as I’m walking out to do my first rehearsal. But when I got out there and I saw the production. It looked like one of those Ziegfeld Follies 1930s Hollywood production. It looked underwater on TV so they did a wonderful job of alleviating, my Wildcard concerns.”

McGrath was prepared to sing “It’s Tricky” by Run DMC for his third number if he had returned. His first number was We’re Not Gonna Take It,” by Twisted Sister.

“The thing that really attracted me most of ‘The Masked Singer,’ is that it scared me,” he said. “It scared the heck out of me because it’s a singing competition. Now you might think, your career is as a singer/entertainer. [But] no one’s ever been confused by voice with Pavarotti or Chris Martin. But being able to be someone else inside the mask, obviously was something attractive to me.

“What I didn’t know, is what an emotional component this show would have for me,” he said. “You become part of this mystery adventure park vibe. It’s the world of costumes and make-believe. You breathe life into this thing, into this Orca, and when I took the mask off the last time, there is no more life, I essentially this Orca is gone. It was so fun to be a part of that, to fool people when you were singing as part of the Orca’s aura and being. I have 10 year old twins and that was a huge part of why I did it. And what a wonderful opportunity in a year that people aren’t doing a lot of things in the music industry. What a ride it was.”

McGrath said Sugar Ray has begun to perform once more, remembering gigs for Orlando and Tampa, and the band’s mid year dates are beginning to top off.

“I’m excited to see if anything happens with this ‘Masked Singer,’” he said. “Once you’re part of the Masked Singer, you’re part of the family. They do tours and things like that. I let them know that I’m available for anything you need. I’m here for ‘The Masked Singer.’”

Then, Nick Cannon was back full time as host, having recently been in isolate for COVID-19. Niecy Nash filled in as visitor host of “The Masked Singer” for the show’s initial five scenes, until Cannon was unmasked a week ago as the Bulldog.

This current season’s costumes include Raccoon, Seashell, Black Swan, Snail, Grandpa Monster, Phoenix, Chameleon, Russian Doll(s), Porcupine, The Piglet and the trump cards Orca, Crab and Bulldog. Gun as the Bulldog joins recently exposed superstars Nick Cannon (Bulldog), Logan Paul (Grandpa Monster), Danny Trejo (as Raccoon), Caitlyn Jenner (as Phoenix) and Kermit the Frog (as Snail).

The Season 5 contestants brag a joined 26 Grammy nominations, nine multi-platinum singles, four Academy Award nominations, three Super Bowl appearances, six gold decorations and two world records.

The show’s panelists are likewise once vieing for a “Golden Ear” trophy dependent on their initial impressions of each masked performer (which McCarthy won last time). Jeong and McCarthy Wahlberg each had a point up until now, heading into this scene.

McCarthy Wahlberg’s and Scherzinger’s initial feeling supposes were both Dave Grohl, Thicke went with Billie Joe Armstrong, while Jeong’s was Jon Bon Jovi. None of them got a point.

Here were the other contestants and their performances on night six, “Group A Finals — In the Nick of Time”:

Russian Dolls (three contestants)

Song: “Want to Want Me,” by Jason Derulo
Cannon clue: “What Goes Around… Comes Around.” “We had been together for some time, but as fate would have it, it was time to come back together on stage.”
Panel guesses: Pentatonix, the Jonas Brothers, 98 Degrees
Voice-over: “When this duo became a trio last time, it was a game changer for real. Performing on this epic stage is a far cry from where we started. Life on the road was definitely not glamorous. We performed everywhere, from parking lots to softball fields. But we put our heart and soul in every performance. And the years of hustle paid off, when we finally got the chance to perform for the president. And we crushed it. We raised the roof. Of the White House. And now we’re leaning on that hard working spirit to take us to the Super 8.”
Previous songs: “Man in the Mirror,” by Michael Jackson; “Wonder,” by Shawn Mendes
Previous panel guesses: Boyz II Men; Vanessa Hudgens; Darren Criss, Matthew Morrison, Kevin McHale or other “Glee” stars; Gwen Stefani and No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont, Sugarland, Boyz II Men, Jacksons

Porcupine/”Robopine”

Song: “Killing Me Softly,” by Roberta Flack
Cannon clue: “AKA.” “My first show they came out and said porcupine, and I said no, I’m Robopine. So, AKA.”
Panel guesses: Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Terence Howard
Voice-over: “The quills are out tonight, and I’m ready to unleash some magic on that stage. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this masked adventure. But now I’m on a mission to make it to the end. And I know a good mission because I’ve been on one my entire career. A quest for a certain golden relic. It’s been an action packed, fast-paced ride. I’m dodged booby traps and so many times my life has nearly crumbled. But I always escaped because I’ve been jonesing for that idol. But for now, I’m chasing a new idol, the golden mask. Winning it will be proof that the ultimate relic will be mine.”
Previous song: “Never Too Much,” by Luther Vandross; “All of Me,” by John Legend
Previous panel guesses: Jamie Foxx, Idris Elba, Lionel Richie, Ginuwine, Brian McKnight, Jason Derulo, Wesley Snipes, Eddie Murphy

Seashell

Song: “Tell Me Something Good,” by Rufus feat. Chaka Khan
Cannon clue: “Motown.” “Motown brought my family together.”
Panel guesses: Ashanti, Mya, Keke Palmer, Alicia Silverstone
Voice-over: “I’ve been so fortunate my entire career to walk in a variety of shoes. But one of the things I’m most proud of is I have been called a trailblazer, a role model. Sometimes I get stopped when I’m out shopping or at the movies. And it’s the biggest honor. Because when I was younger, shells like me weren’t given many opportunities to be seen. But I fought the current that flowed against me. And now seeing so many people follow my path, that’s what keeps me going strong. Now tonight, I can’t wait for everyone to see what I have in store as I continue to blaze forward.”
Previous song: “Listen to Your Heart,” by Roxette; “Confident,” by Demi Lovato
Previous panel guesses: Kristen Chenoweth, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ashlee Simpson, Jenny Slate, Haylie Duff

WILDCARD: Yeti

Song: “If It Isn’t Love,” by New Edition
Cannon clue: “Aphrodite.” “Yeti is all about love, love, love.”
Panel guesses: Ray J, Justin Bieber, Taran Killam
Voice-over: “As a Yeti, I only come out of hiding for a mammoth reason. And here, it’s to be a wild force to be reckoned with. So watch your step. Where I come from, too many yetis become monsters. But I had a secret weapon. A village of warrior women who were always there to show me the way. Having them as motivators and teachers was golden. And made me the abominable gentleman I am today. Knowing these warriors had my back gave me the confidence to go for the mountaintop when others wouldn’t even dare. The yetis are usually chased from their village. But I was raised right. Being here is a thank you to them.”

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“Him” Teaser: Jordan Peele’s New Sports Horror Film Tackles Obsession and Sacrifice

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How far would you go for greatness?

The first chilling teaser for “Him”, a Jordan Peele-produced psychological sports horror film, has dropped—and it raises an unsettling question: What must athletes truly sacrifice to achieve superstardom? From blood and sweat to faith and identity, the film looks to unpack the cost of ambition in the most terrifying way possible.

A Dark Tale of Fame and Obsession

“Him” stars Tyriq Withers, a real-life former college wide receiver, as Cameron Cade, a fictional rising-star quarterback whose dreams are crushed after a brutal attack by an obsessed fan. Just when his future in football seems over, Cade is offered a lifeline from his idol: Isaiah White, an NFL legend played by Marlon Wayans.

Isaiah invites Cade to train at his secluded compound—an invitation that seems too good to be true. As their training intensifies, Cade discovers that his mentor’s charm masks a much darker force. What starts as a chance at redemption turns into a psychological descent that threatens Cade’s mind, body, and soul.

Official Synopsis

“Cameron Cade (Withers) is a rising-star quarterback who has devoted his life and identity to football. On the eve of professional football’s annual scouting Combine, Cam is attacked by an unhinged fan and suffers a potentially career-ending brain trauma. Just when all seems lost, Cam receives a lifeline when his hero, Isaiah White (Wayans), a legendary eight-time Championship quarterback and cultural megastar, offers to train Cam at Isaiah’s isolated compound that he shares with his celebrity influencer wife, Elsie White (Julia Fox). But as Cam’s training accelerates, Isaiah’s charisma begins to curdle into something darker, sending his protégé down a disorienting rabbit hole that may cost him more than he ever bargained for.”

A Star-Studded, Genre-Bending Cast

Joining Withers and Wayans are Julia Fox as Isaiah’s enigmatic wife, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies, MMA star Maurice Greene, hip-hop artist Guapdad 4000, and Grammy-nominated musician Tierra Whack.

Directed by Justin Tipping, the film is based on a Black List screenplay by Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie, with Tipping contributing to the final script. The production is helmed by Monkeypaw Productions, the creative powerhouse behind Peele’s genre-defining hits like Get Out and Nope.

Monkeypaw’s Latest Mind-Bending Vision

“Him” is the latest project under Monkeypaw’s ongoing five-year deal with Universal Pictures, signed in 2019. Producers include Jordan Peele, Ian Cooper, Win Rosenfeld, and Jamal M. Watson, with David Kern and Kate Oh serving as executive producers.

Jordan Peele has teased his own fourth directorial project is in the works, calling it potentially his “favorite movie yet.” In a 2024 interview on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Peele emphasized the importance of “grounding characters” in both horror and comedy, “The fantastical and the imagination… that becomes a certain type of project and exercise. But the exercise of grounding it is always what makes it work. That to me, in horror especially, is the hardest part.”

Conclusion: A New Era of Horror and Sports Collide

With a unique mix of psychological horror, sports drama, and social commentary, “Him” promises to be a genre-defying thriller that pushes the boundaries of what a sports movie can be. As the line between dedication and obsession blurs, audiences are left to ask: How much would you give to be the best?

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Danny Boyle Drops Second Trailer for ’28 Years Later

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Danny Boyle Drops Second Trailer for '28 Years Later

The undead are back, and they’re angrier than ever. Columbia Pictures has unveiled Official Trailer 2 for 28 Years Later, the long-awaited sequel to Danny Boyle’s iconic post-apocalyptic film 28 Days Later. This marks the first in a new trilogy from the original team—director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland—joined by a high-profile cast and a grittier vision of the infected-plagued UK.

A New Generation Faces the Rage Virus

Set nearly three decades after the original outbreak, the film follows a small band of survivors quarantined on an isolated island connected to the mainland by a single fortified causeway. When one member ventures into the devastated mainland, he unearths horrifying truths—not just about the infected, but about what humanity has become.

The trailer offers a grim and suspenseful look at a UK transformed by chaos, brutality, and survival instinct.

Star Power and New Horrors

The cast includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, and Ralph Fiennes. Original franchise lead Cillian Murphy, now an Oscar winner for Oppenheimer, is confirmed to executive produce—and hinted to appear later in the trilogy.

At CinemaCon, Boyle said, I still love an apocalypse, British-style. I still love the infected. And I still love blowing shit up.”

Meanwhile, director Nia DaCosta teased the second sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, calling it “very different” and creatively liberating.

The Legacy Continues

From the gritty terror of 28 Days Later to the haunting vision of 28 Years Later, this new chapter expands the franchise while holding true to its roots. With advanced visuals, chilling plot twists, and deep social commentary, the rage virus saga evolves for a new generation of horror fans.

If Trailer 2 is any indication, 28 Years Later is set to reignite the apocalyptic horror genre. With the original creative duo at the helm and a powerhouse cast, this is one sequel fans won’t want to miss.

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HBO Confirms Hogwarts Staff Casting in Harry Potter TV Series

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HBO Confirms Hogwarts Staff Casting in Harry Potter TV Series

The magic is officially returning! HBO has confirmed the first wave of casting for its highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, unveiling fresh faces who will take on the legendary roles of Hogwarts’ iconic staff.

New Cast Revealed for Hogwarts Roles

Here’s who has officially joined the cast:

  • John Lithgow (The Crown, Conclave) as Albus Dumbledore
  • Janet McTeer (The White Queen, Tumbleweeds) as Minerva McGonagall
  • Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) as Severus Snape
  • Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) as Rubeus Hagrid
  • Luke Thallon will play Quirinus Quirrell in a recurring role
  • Paul Whitehouse joins as Argus Filch, also in a recurring role

Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod praised the casting, stating, “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard and can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.”

HBO has promised a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s bestselling book series. Each season will explore one book in-depth, aiming to expand the magical universe while staying true to the original stories.

Filming is expected to begin this summer, and while the main trio—Harry, Ron, and Hermione—has yet to be cast, over 30,000 actors submitted auditions following HBO’s open casting call.

The series is being written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner, with direction and executive production by Mark Mylod. The production is a collaboration between Brontë Film and TV, Warner Bros. Television, and Heyday Films.

Executive producers also include J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman, who produced all eight original Harry Potter films.

With such a powerhouse team and a carefully selected cast, HBO’s Harry Potter series is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated TV events in years. Stay tuned for more magical updates from the wizarding world!

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