Woodpecker Shares Heartwarming Moment That Made Jenifer Lewis Tear Up on The Masked Singer

Woodpecker Shares Heartwarming Moment That Made Jenifer Lewis Tear Up on The Masked Singer

Marsai Martin, known for her role in Black-ish, reflects on her unforgettable experience on The Masked Singer, stating, “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Note: This article contains spoilers for season 12, episode 3 of The Masked Singer, titled “Soundtrack of My Life Night.”

In a recent episode, Woodpecker took her final bow on The Masked Singer. The “Soundtrack of My Life Night” also marked the Group A finals, resulting in two contestants leaving the stage—Woodpecker being the first to be unmasked as Marsai Martin.

Before her reveal (which none of the judges predicted), Martin spoke with Entertainment Weekly about her journey as a fan of the show, the touching moment that brought her Masked Ambassador, Jenifer Lewis, to tears, and her future plans regarding music.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: In your last clue package, you highlighted the women in your life, particularly your grandmother, who watches every episode of The Masked Singer. Did she know you were participating in the show?

MARSAI MARTIN: She had no idea until about a week before filming started. My grandma lives with us, so I had to keep it a secret. I didn’t tell my sister either because she’s only eight and would have blurted it out at school. But my grandma needed to know why I was absent from home.

Have you watched this season with her and seen her reactions?

Not really. I tried to keep my distance. I know she was thrilled. While filming took place on the West Coast, she was on the East Coast. After I returned home, she was eager to hear about my experience and what songs I performed. I told her that my presence meant I didn’t win, but it was wonderful to witness her excitement when the episodes aired. When she saw my first performance of Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers,” she was so happy and sent me texts saying, “Oh my gosh, you did so great!”

When did you discover that your Black-ish co-star Jenifer Lewis was your Masked Ambassador?

I learned a few days prior. The producers informed me they had an ambassador who would share hints about my identity, and then they asked me to guess who it was. When they revealed it was Jenifer Lewis, I was thrilled. After she recorded her hints, she visited my trailer, where she got emotional and started crying. We hadn’t seen each other much since Black-ish wrapped up a few years ago, so it was heartwarming to reconnect and share our experiences on The Masked Singer.

One of your clue packages mentioned Beyoncé. After this experience, do you think you’ll explore music further, perhaps collaborate with her?

Oh, goodness! If I do, it might be something unexpected—like a surprise drop! But I’m not planning to launch a music career or anything. Being on The Masked Singer has given me a chance to perform without feeling overwhelmed. I’ve sung before, but it’s never been my main focus, so I was always a bit anxious about it. Now, behind the mask, I felt free to express myself and enjoy the curiosity about my identity. Who knows? Maybe Woodpecker will release some music someday!

Woodpecker Shares Heartwarming Moment That Made Jenifer Lewis Tear Up on The Masked Singer

As a fan of the show, did the reality of participating meet your expectations? Were there any surprises?

Absolutely! I underestimated how challenging it would be. It looked easy because of the mask, but it’s a serious competition. My initial mindset was just to have fun, but once rehearsals and studio time began, I realized I wanted to do well. Preparing for performances alongside the crew made everything feel more real and competitive, which viewers might not fully grasp. We rehearsed multiple times before performing for the judges, all while keeping our identities secret. It was intense, but that made the experience even more rewarding.

I loved being Woodpecker. It was an incredible experience, and the crew and producers were amazing, ensuring I felt comfortable throughout. I genuinely wouldn’t trade it for anything.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Catch new episodes of The Masked Singer every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.

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