‘The Masked Singer’ Reveals Controversial NBA Player Metta Sandiford-Artest

Pete Papas

THIS POST CONTAINS spoilers for this week’s episode of Fox The Masked Singer.

As The trolls are regrouping characters Poppy and Branch searched for clues, sang along to *NSync and slept through a special Trolls-thematic episode of The masked singer, a new creature with pink hair has been unmasked. NBA champion Metta Sandiford-Artest, formerly known as Ron Artest, has been revealed as Cuddle Monster.

“One of the best to ever do it on the field,” said host Nick Cannon, after the reveal.

As Cannon asked him about his short-lived experience on the show, Metta said he loved the fluffy character and that the character’s colorful buttons symbolized energy points, or chakras.

“We’re from the neighborhood,” he said. “Might as well get started.”

Most of all, Metta said he’s looking forward to his family’s reaction to the series.

“I can’t wait for my grandbaby to see this,” he added.

Although the panelists failed to identify the sports star, panelists Robin Thicke and Ken Jeong praised the basketball icon for his NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010 and his defensive skills on the ground.

“Truly, you are a legend,” Jeong said. “I am amazed.”

During the smackdown, marking Anteater’s second week in the bottom two, Cuddle Monster stumbled upon the lyrics to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” as Anteater brought Southern charm to the group. Trolls air pop. After a final vote, Anteater was spared.

Episode eight’s final wild card, a breathless cuddle monster, sidestepped to New Kids on the Block’s “You Got It (The Right Stuff).” Responding to clues such as boxing gloves, a light-up globe with the word “champion” and sponsorship deals, the panelists guessed NBA players Dennis Rodman, Tristan Thompson and Draymond Green. Panelist Nicole Scherzinger seemed certain the masked candidate was Shaquille O’Neal. Neighboring panelists clowned Scherzinger when she guessed that the basketball legend had fought with fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, rather than former boxer Oscar de la Hoya.

“I think Cuddle Monster is someone we would all love to cuddle with,” Scherzinger remarked before the unmasking.

Metta was first drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1999 and went on to be recognized as one of the league’s greatest ball defenders, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004. The former basketball star played 19 seasons and won one title. in 2010 with the Lakers. He was also involved in the “Malice at the Palace” brawl in Detroit.

Last week’s episode saw The Real Housewives of New York star Luann de Lesseps revealed, and previous weeks Teenage WolfTyler Posey, LGBT pioneer and tennis icon Billie Jean King, “King of Trash Talk” Michael Rapaport, and Vanderpump Rules supervillain Tom Sandoval was all shown the door.