The Masked Singer season 11: Who are Beats? Are they American Idol pals Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken?
The Masked Singer season 11 week 2 continued with four more NEW masks, including a fun duo dressed as the vegetable Beets. Savvy American Idol fans may have picked up on those familiar voices, who are certainly Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, season 2 winner and runner-up respectively.
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Admittedly, I needed a fan to point out the obvious to me. But on a second watch of the clip, the voices were unmistakable. The two performed “Home” by Michael Buble displaying exquisite harmonies, like two people who have been singing together for years!
The judges panel, including Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong and Rita Ora are way off the scent at this point, assuming that the two aren’t primarily singers. Well except Ken, who guessed K-Ci and JoJo. Oddly, his guess at least had an American Idol connection. That duo and American Idol season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino are cousins!
The judges are completely off the scent
Rita guessed Will Arnett and Jason Bateman while Robin thinks the duo are Steve Martin and Martin Short. Both judges are stuck on Beets being comedians or actors. Rita, nonsensically thought they may be comedians “pretending” to be good singers. As a singer herself, Rita should know good singing can’t be faked, and Beets are obviously SINGERS who are comfortable on stage. And what’s more, comfortable performing together.
Ruben and Clay competing on The Masked Singer makes sense. They spent a year on tour celebrating their 20 year anniversary from when they appeared on American Idol. Plus the show LOVES to cast old school American Idol alums: Chris Daughtry wore a dog costume and came in second on season 2. David Archuleta came in second again as Macaw on season 9. Katharine McPhee and her husband David Foster performed as Banana Split on season 6. Additionally, Tori Kelly, who made it to Hollywood on season 9 competed on The Masked Singer season 4.
The clues make it clear
Let’s run down the list of clues from the clue package!
- The two note their deep friendship several times.
- “For a moment we had millions of eyes on us. Forty million of us.” The American Idol season 2 finale had about that many viewers.
- “And even when the world seemed to be trying to pit us against each other, we’ve always had each other’s back.” Clay and Ruben were the front runners for the win. “Beeting the Odds” points to the fierce betting markets at the time. Ruben vs Clay was really a thing!
- “We work so well together, his big ole brain and his unbeatable heart”
- “All we need now is to find the nerve to “turnip” on that stage….It will be like going back to our roots.” Literally! Clay and Ruben performing AGAIN on a Fox competition show 21 years later.
- “I am the feisty one” says one, clearly Clay who is the extrovert to Ruben’s subdued introvert.
- “Like Dorothy and Toto we are the best of friends. And pretty good co-stars too” Which refers to them appearing together on American Idol and on stage in various tours over the years.
