The Masked Singer season 11 features 16 celebrities in a mystery singing competition, and there are many clues to help figure out Gumball’s true identity.The Masked Singer season 11 welcomed back host Nick Cannon, along with original panelists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, and Ken Jeong. For season 11, Rita Ora took Nicole Scherzinger’s place on the panel due to Nicole’s prior commitment to starring in London’s West End production of Sunset Boulevard.
During The Masked Singer season 11The Wizard of Oz theme night, which celebrated the 85th anniversary of the beloved film, Gumball made his debut with Group B. Group B originally consisted of Gumball, Beets, Miss Cleocatra, and Afghan Hound. On The Wizard of Oz Night, Afghan Hound was revealed to be reality TV star Savannah Chrisley, while on Girl Group Night, Miss Cleocatra was unmasked and shown to be actress Jenifer Lewis. Wild Card Seal was introduced on Girl Group Night, and moved on to the Group B finals with Beets and Gumball. Here are the clues to figure out who Gumball really is.
On The Masked Singer season 11 The Wizard of Oz Night, Gumball sang a medley of “If I Only Had a Heart” by Jack Haley, who played the Tinman in the film, and “Heartbeat Song” by Kelly Clarkson. When he first came out on stage, Jenny noticed, “He looks little,” while Rita commented, “He’s got moves!” Both Robin and Jenny agreed that he was a performer.
When Nick asked Gumball whom he was inspired by in The Wizard of Oz, he replied, “Well, for me, it’s the Tin Man. When you met him, he was a little rusty. Maybe just like me.” The scene from the film when the Tin Man revealed to Dorothy and the Scarecrow that the tinsmith forgot to give him a heart was then shown. Gumball’s clue package took place in a land full of giant candy with a Yellow Brick Road.
Gumball began his clue package by saying, “Just like the Tinman, my heart took quite a beating because my Yellow Brick Road to success came with zero directions.”A map of the “American South” then appeared on the screen. It had a pink heart in the center of it.
Gumball continued, “I knew I wanted to end up on the stage, but didn’t know how to make that happen.” He then pulled a giant red star-shaped candy lollipop out of the ground and carried it away. Gumball added, “So, I did anything and everything to get an audience.” He was then shown playing the drums, dancing, and playing the electric guitar. The Masked Singer season 11 contestant said, “I beatboxed on the street, I performed at theme parks, and even got booed off the stage at a competition for winning!”
Gumball went on to say, “It felt like nothing seemed to stick. I watched everyone else around me succeed time and time again.” A giant black spider then appeared on a mushroom, as a frightened Gumball ran away. He continued, “But I refused to quit. Because no one was gonna burst my bubble.” A bubble then floated by with a horse with a chariot in it. Gumball concluded with, “And, like a lot of us in Hollywood, I needed a little timing and a lot of luck. But, look, I’m proof that even if your road isn’t paved with gold, as long as your heart is, you’ll find your way.”
Gumball handed Rita a gumball at the end of his performance, which made Ken think that Gumball had a connection to her. After Gumball’s performance, another clue about his identity was revealed. It was the Tinman’s heart clock from The Wizard of Oz. Gumball explained, “Deep down, at the end of the day, Tinman always had the heart of a superhero. And I actually might too.”
Later in the episode, Gumball went into the first Smackdown of The Masked Singer season 11 with Afghan Hound, during which they both sang “Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead” from The Wizard of Oz. Gumball won the Smackdown with his incredible vocals and moved on to the next round, while Afghan Hound was unmasked and revealed to be reality TV star Savannah Chrisley.
During The Masked Singer season 11 Girl Group Night, Gumball sang “Wide Open Spaces” by The Chicks. Gumball’s clue package began with a recap of his The Wizard of Oz Night experience. He said, “You all got my heart beating last time with all of your love. And that Smackdown? That was wicked fun.”
As the scene changed to a beautiful pink and purple sunset at an amusement park, Gumball shared, “It’s exciting to perform on Girl Group Night because there’s actually one girl who’s been singing lead in my life for years: my wife.” A barrel with white angel wings and a white halo was then shown. Gumball continued, “I still remember the night I met her, an angel from across the room. I knew right then and there I would spend the rest of my life with her.“
Gumball went on to say, “And everything was perfect. Until she was diagnosed with a disease that will impact her later in life. Suddenly, the forever that we were planning looked very different, and we had a decision to make.” Gumball then looked at a figurine of a crescent moon.
Gumball continued, “We could let what’s on the horizon define us. Or we could choose to be present each and every moment. To say yes more, and explore all of the wide open spaces out there.” As Gumball said this, he bowled a strike with a bowling ball decorated like a globe. He then caressed a picture of a female Gumball. He concluded by saying, “And, tonight, I’m singing one of her favorite songs just for her.”
After Gumball’s performance, another clue about his identity was revealed. Wilson Phillips singer Carnie Wilson, who was part of The Masked Singer season 8’s Lambs, who placed second, delivered the clue, as part of Clue-oke. Carnie sang a girl group song that was a clue to Gumball’s true identity. She sang “Don’t Ca” by The Pussycat Dolls, which is former Masked Singer panelist Nicole’s group. Gumball explained, “Well, don’t you wish you could’ve starred with Channing Tatum like me.” Later, during the panelists’ guesses, Gumball showcased some more of his dance moves when Jenny mentioned that he’d danced the previous week.
The Masked Singer season 11 panelists had a lot of great guesses for Gumball based on his performances and clues. On The Wizard of Oz Night, Rita used the superhero clue to guess that Gumball might be Chace Crawford. Robin theorized that he might be Kevin Jonas. Ken thought that he might be Jamie Dornan, who played Rita’s brother in Fifty Shades of Grey, but Rita didn’t agree.
During Girl Group Night, the Masked Singer panelists continued to make their guesses. Rita thought he might be Aaron Taylor Johnson, while Jenny guessed Derek Hough because of Gumball’s dance moves from the previous week. Gumball then showcased some more of his dance moves. Ken was convinced that Gumball might be Taran Killam because his wife Cobie Smulders was diagnosed with cancer the same year Ken’s wife was. They’re both now cancer-free. Ken tearfully made this guess.
Although all of these celebrities were good guesses, the clues actually point in the direction of someone else: actor and singer Scott Porter. The map of the American South with the heart in the center of it refers to Scott’s starring role as George Tucker on Hart of Dixie. In addition, Scott won Star Search with his a cappella group Mosaic. He also beatboxes and performs at theme parks. Gumball played many instruments as a reference to Scott’s role in the film Bandslam. The angel wings and halo refer to his role of Matthew in the off-Broadway show Altar Boyz, about a fictitious Christian boy band.
Gumball’s black spider clue was a reference to his voice work in the animated series Ultimate Spider-Man. The spider and the clue about having the heart of a superhero not only refers to this, but also Scott’s work in the animated series Spidey and His Amazing Friends. He also was the voice of Cyclops/Scott Summers in Marvel Anime: Wolverine and Marvel Anime: X-Men and the voice of White Wolf in Avengers Assemble. The horse and carriage clue might refer to Scott’s role in the Hallmark movie, Taking the Reins. In addition, Scott starred with Channing Tatum in the film Dear John.
Gumball’s story about his wife matches Scott’s wife’s story. Scott married casting director Kelsey Mayfield in 2013, after they met on the set of Friday Night Lights. Unfortunately, after Kelsey’s mother was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease, Kelsey tested positive for the gene as well, which means that she’ll eventually develop it. Huntington’s is a brain disease that has no cure. It causes depression, forgetfulness, slurred speech, and mood swings.
The Masked Singer season 11’s Gumball has both the vocals and the stage presence to go very far in the competition. He’ll next perform with the other Group B on Soundtrack of My Life Night, which is also the Group B finals. One thing’s for sure: Gumball has sweetened the competition.