The Masked Singer Season 13 premiere recap: Honey Pot's identity revealed 

The thirteenth season of The Masked Singer kicked off with a sweet surprise as Cedric the Entertainer was revealed to be the first celebrity contestant under the Honey Pot mask. In Wednesday's premiere episode, the comedian and actor, who is well-known for his diverse range of entertainment abilities, sang a passionate rendition of Justin Timberlake's "Sexyback" before taking off his mask.

The season opener of The Masked Singer featured five new costumed contestants - Honey Pot, Ant, Paparazzo, Fuzzy Peas, and Coral - competing in elaborate disguises while judges Rita Ora, Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong, and Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg tried to guess their identities.

The show introduced new elements including a mysterious "Detective Lucky Duck" character and "Crack the Case" clue cases to help panelists solve the masked mysteries. Rita Ora returned for her third consecutive season, filling in for Nicole Scherzinger, while Nick Cannon continued his role as host.

The premiere began with a special performance of "Get Lucky" by panelists Rita Ora and Robin Thicke, joined by Season 12's Wasp (Mario), setting an energetic tone for the new season.

What were the performances in The Masked Singer Season 13 premiere?

Cedric the Entertainer brought his signature charm to the Honey Pot character, though he admitted to facing some challenges with the costume.

"In the rehearsal I stumbled a couple of times. I just couldn't see my feet and connect with where I was," he shared.

Adding:

"I had to really work hard to keep my footing."

Despite the early exit, the star remained positive about his experience.

"It was a great experience. I do wish I would have had an opportunity to do another song, at least one more," he said.

"If I could have stayed around and did one more, I could have built a cool audience."

The night continued with Ant taking the stage with Pink's "Just Give Me a Reason."

"I'm really here on stage tonight for all the survivors. I see you. Anyone who has had to endure, I see you, I support you, " they said to the crowd.

As a result of their passionate performance, the judges' guesses ranged from Lindsay Lohan to Lea Michele.

Paparazzo followed with a rendition of "The Door" by Teddy Swims, hinting at deep Hollywood connections. The mysterious performer teased the audience, saying "If you guys keep me around, I might spill the tea on another friend of mine, Steve Martin!" The judges' guesses included Taron Egerton, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Kieran Culkin.

With "La Bamba," Fuzzy Peas exuded Latin enthusiasm on stage and showcased their remarkable musical credentials, which included Grammy nominations alongside Christina Aguilera and Shakira. The judges were contemplating names like Mario Lopez, George Lopez, and John Leguizamo after the performance.

Coral's eerie rendition of Tears for Fears' "Mad World" marked the end of the evening. "All those nos just made me stronger. And all it took was one yes to start a way to success!" the candidate told viewers, sharing an inspirational story of endurance. Halsey, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Bebe Rexha were among the judges' suggestions.

What to expect next from The Masked Singer’s latest season?

The season promises an exciting lineup of themed episodes celebrating popular franchises like "Shrek" and "Ghostbusters," plus a special tribute to the Grand Ole Opry's 100th anniversary. Viewers of The Masked Singer can expect to meet more masked contestants including Space Ranger, Cherry Blossom, Griffin, and Bat in the coming weeks.

The season's format will include tributes to the Rat Pack, "Voices of Olympus: Unmasking the Gods," and "Carnival." Music fans can look forward to special themes including "Boy Bands," "Decades," and the return of the fan-favorite "Soundtrack of My Life."

The show is also introducing new competitive elements with "Lucky 6 Speed Guessing" and "Clash of the Masks" formats.

With the first unmasking setting a high bar for entertainment value, Season 13 of The Masked Singer appears poised to deliver more surprising reveals and memorable performances as the competition unfolds.

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The Masked Singer Season 13 airs Wednesdays at 8 PM ET on Fox.