Spoiler alert: Click away if you do not wish to know details about the upcoming season of The Masked Singer.
Deadline has reported that attorney and former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani is due to appear as a contestant on the upcoming season of The Masked Singer. The episode was recorded last week and will reportedly be screened when the show returns to our screens next month.
According to sources, when Giuliani was unmasked, two of the judges—Robin Thicke and Ken Jeong—both got up and stormed out in protest. Deadline did not reveal the costume Giuliani wore, so you can still watch the show without it being immediately obvious who he is.
Giuliani was famously an attorney for President Donald Trump, and he repeatedly backed Trump’s unproven claims that the election was stolen in 2020.
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The Masked Singer‘s other two judges, Jenny McCarthy and Nicole Scherzinger, remained on stage and questioned Giuliani about his claims on the election.
It’s not the first time The Masked Singer has featured a controversial, right-wing figure. In March 2020 it featured Sarah Palin in a bear costume. However, her appearance did not prompt such a terse response from the judges.
Last summer it was revealed that Giuliani, a former top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, was barred from practicing law in New York because of his claims about the 2020 election. In recent months, he has turned to asking supporters to donate money and to selling videos on Cameo in an effort to raise funds.
Related: Rudy Giuliani, broke and friendless, was just dealt another devastating blow
Online, many were shocked to hear of Giuliani’s participation on the show.
How appalling that the show thinks that criminal is some celebrity to promote.
— Matthew Rettenmund (@mattrett) February 3, 2022
imagine stopping so low that you offended the moral sensibilities of robin thicke
— Julia Carrie Wong (@juliacarriew) February 3, 2022
The Masked Singer has no business allowing Rudy Giuliani on the air. He’s not a “controversial figure.” He’s under federal criminal investigation for seditious conspiracy against the United States. He’s a terrorist. Props to Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke for walking out in protest.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) February 3, 2022
My biggest question is why anyone would think that was a good idea?? Credit to Ken and Robin for having integrity to walk out!
— TriciaLL (@TriciaLen6) February 3, 2022
What’s wrong with Nicole and Jenny? This man is under so many investigations. Why did they have him on the show?
— JR (@HugYourLove) February 3, 2022
This episode should not air. He is under numerous criminal investigations and was a key player in tfg’s attempts to undermine US democracy. We should not be normalizing people like this.
— LiketheHurricane (@CELPbytheSea) February 3, 2022
— My Sweet Baboo Redux (@babsben) February 3, 2022
Anything for ratings, right? https://t.co/woeXU6oZQI
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) February 3, 2022
Liza Minnelli has outlived Rudy Giuliani’s time as a contestant on ‘The Masked Singer’ after he was given the boot in an upcoming episode. Upon seeing Giuliani, judges Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke left in protest as the former Mayor has promoted The Big Lie on Trump’s behalf.
— LizaMinnelliOutlives (@LiZaOutlives) February 3, 2022
Related: This TokTok star trolling Rudy Giuliani at a black tie GOP gala is the best thing you’ll see all day
cuteguy
What a ridiculous publicity stunt. Garbage.
Cam
Media owners and executives are right wing. They have spent YEARS trying to rehabilitate criminal Republicans through P.R. stunts like this.
Dancing with the Stars brought in Tom Delay AFTER he was convicted. DWTS also had on one of the Palins.
The Emmys tried to humanize Sean Spicer by bringing him on and then got major backlash, but that didn’t stop DWTS from bringing him on also.
.
And here the Masked Singer brings on Giuliani, somebody who is being investigated for trying to help overthrow the U.S. government.
Media is right wing.
BaltoSteve
I won’t go so far as to say all media, however I do agree that this particular group has a blatant agenda. After all, it’s freaking Fox.
Mr. Stadnick
I am so glad I didn’t know this show existed until now. I am also glad I will now never be tempted to watch such drivel. Why anyone would bring such a criminal on their television show is beyond me. Will the have Patricia Krenwinkle or Robert Blake on this show too? Maybe Ed Buck will be free to do a song in a few years.
CNY1983
Same here. I heard about sarah palin being on and it was like being sprayed by a skunk.
GrizzleyMichael
It was even bad when Caitlin Jenner was on there YUCK
HankHarris
Sean Spicer on Dancing with the Stars, and now this. There is no ‘too low’ for reality television producers. I’m surprised that these producers haven’t come forward or have been fired.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
This is what I’m hearing in this revelation: Ugliani is so desperate for money he told his agent to shop around for ANY job that would pay at least $25k for at least one appearance. Once the producers got hold of this they decided to offer $10k and told him point blank that once it gets revealed who he is that’s it, its over because of the controversy he brings. The publicity alone is worth over a million but show producers are always on the hunt for a lame dog and at present Ugliani is their boy and they got him at a bargain basement price. Take it or leave it and he took it is how I see it. I commend the producers because they are in a win win situation. People will watch just to see the judges walk off and the look on that ol’ fart’s face when they do.
Cam
You’re probably right.
I think they may have miscalculated. This isn’t like years ago when they would have one a celeb famous for partying and doing outrageous things and people would tune in to see the train wreck. I think in today’s mood, it will get them some attention, but could lose them a lot of viewers going forward.
Ellen lost nearly 40% of her viewers when her meaness was exposed, not all publicity is good publicity anymore. So I’m curious to he how this shakes out for the show.
CNY1983
YICK.
Ill bet he smells too.
Kangol2
I think Bertha called this one perfectly. Giuliani participated in treason to overthrow a legitimate election and should be behind bars, but until that happens his presence generates viewers and outrage AND the judges storm off in righteous disgust, creating a media moment people will want to see and ending his stint abruptly, clearing him the hell out of there, so The Masked Singer wins no matter what.