Janel Parrish (‘The Masked Singer’ Gazelle) unmasked interview: ‘Somewhere along my journey, singing became my biggest fear’
The Season 10 finale of “The Masked Singer” took place Wednesday, December 20. Cow, Donut, Gazelle and Sea Queen each rocked the stage before audience members and panelists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong and Nicole Scherzinger voted for their favorite. After the first round of voting, Gazelle became the second secret celebrity to take it off, finishing in third place. The graceful diva was revealed to be “Pretty Little Liars” star Janel Parrish.
“Singing is my first love,” she told host Nick Cannon during her unmasked interview. “It was the first thing I ever did when I was a kid. Somewhere along my journey, singing became my biggest fear and my biggest insecurity. As I became known for acting it almost felt like, to say I was a singer was a lie. But to come out here as this gorgeous Gazelle and nobody knows who I am, I got to tap into my voice and now I feel like a singer! And it’s because of you guys! And Ken, I’m sorry that I’m not Constance, but I love you and thank you for being my champion this season.”
Before the songstress unmasked the panelists submitted one final guess for who they thought was hiding inside the Gazelle costume. Nobody could figure out who was singing “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol, as the panelists thought she was Ashley Tisdale (Robin and Jenny), Constance Wu (Ken) or Gina Rodriguez (Nicole).
In her clue package Gazelle revealed, “I would be surprised if anyone in ‘Masked Singer’ history was any more suited to their costume than I am to the Gazelle. I’ve mentioned before that deer are really meaningful to me because of my loved one that I lost. But what I didn’t say is that I actually have a deer tattoo for that person with flowers growing out of the antlers. So when I saw the sketch of the Gazelle that looked so much like my tattoo, I broke down shaking and sobbing. It just felt like fate. Now, having gotten to be in the Gazelle mask for a while, I can definitely say that she feels like this alter-ego of me that I’ve been craving. When I put her on, all my insecurities and fears are gone. I was given a second chance to keep this mask on and I’m not going to waste it. Becoming the Gazelle has really helped me come into my inner goddess, and while this may be our last act together, the power she’s given me is a feeling I’ll never forget.”
Celebrities previously unmasked in Season 10 were Demi Lovato (Anonymouse) Anthony Anderson (Rubber Ducky), Tom Sandoval (Diver), Michael Rapaport (Pickle), Billie Jean King (Royal Hen), Tyler Posey (Hawk), Luann de Lesseps (Hibiscus), Metta World Peace (Cuddle Monster), Ashley Parker Angel (S’more), Ginuwine (Husky), Sebastian Bach (Tiki), John Oates (Anteater), Keyshia Cole (Candelabra) and Macy Gray (Sea Queen).