Donnie Wahlberg, a longtime member of New Kids on the Block and star of the TV series Blue Bloods, recently stunned everyone on The Masked Singer by revealing himself as the man behind the mysterious character Cluedle-Doo.
This season of The Masked Singer featured Cluedle-Doo, a masked rooster who didn’t perform like the other contestants but served as a trickster, giving out clues about the real singers’ identities and stirring up excitement. Fans of the show had been speculating for weeks about who Cluedle-Doo might be, but the big reveal turned out to be a complete shock—especially for Donnie’s wife, Jenny McCarthy, who has been a panelist on the show for several seasons.
The unmasking took place during an episode in which Donnie, as Cluedle-Doo, finally performed a song—Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison—surprising the judges not only with his performance but with his identity.
Panelists Jenny McCarthy, Robin Thicke, Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong, and guest panelist Darius Rucker all threw out guesses ranging from Jamie Foxx to Kevin James to Akon, but none of them were even close. When Donnie removed his mask, Jenny was left in complete shock, her jaw dropping as she realized it was her husband all along.
Jenny’s reaction was especially priceless since she had been adamantly denying the possibility of Donnie participating in the show earlier in the season.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight just weeks before the reveal, Jenny confidently stated that Donnie wouldn’t be appearing on the show due to his commitments to Blue Bloods and the difficulty of sneaking him in and out of the set during the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
She had mentioned that she hoped he might appear in the future but was sure it wouldn’t be this season. So, to have her husband secretly competing as Cluedle-Doo without her even suspecting was a major twist.
After the reveal, Donnie explained his reasons for joining the show, saying he had two main motivations: first, to see his wife, and second, to surprise his fans, especially his loyal New Kids on the Block followers, affectionately called Blockheads.
Donnie acknowledged that it had been a long time since he performed for his fans, and this was a way to reconnect with them in a fun, unexpected way. He also admitted that he had to sneak in and out of the studio to keep his participation a secret, adding an extra layer of excitement to the surprise.
Jenny, still in disbelief, asked how Donnie managed to keep his appearance hidden from her, especially since she had been on set each week.
Donnie confessed that he had been carefully sneaking in and out to avoid being seen by her or anyone else.
The reveal was especially sweet given that the couple shares a playful, loving relationship, often poking fun at each other in public.
Jenny was not only floored by the surprise but also touched by the effort Donnie put into keeping it a secret and pulling off the ultimate reveal.
Fans of the show, as well as New Kids on the Block fans, were equally delighted by the unmasking, with many taking to social media to express their joy and excitement over the surprise.
Donnie’s appearance as Cluedle-Doo added an extra layer of fun to an already entertaining season of The Masked Singer, and his performance of “Return of the Mack” was praised for being both energetic and unexpected.
This isn’t the first time Donnie has made headlines for his involvement with Jenny on a major platform. The couple, who married in 2014, are known for their public displays of affection and humor, frequently sharing their personal moments with fans.
However, this surprise on The Masked Singer is one of the biggest yet, showcasing Donnie’s talent for keeping secrets and delivering an unforgettable performance.
Jenny, for her part, had been wishing for Donnie to appear on the show for some time, as she expressed in past interviews. While she thought it wouldn’t happen until his schedule allowed for more flexibility, Donnie found a way to make it work, much to her amazement.
After his reveal, the couple shared a heartwarming moment on stage, with Jenny hugging Donnie and expressing her disbelief over the fact that he had managed to fool her.
The reveal of Donnie Wahlberg as Cluedle-Doo has since become one of the most talked-about moments of the season, cementing the couple’s status as fan favorites on The Masked Singer and giving fans an iconic TV moment to remember.
Whether you’re a fan of Donnie’s music with New Kids on the Block, his acting on Blue Bloods, or just love seeing surprises on The Masked Singer, this moment delivered everything viewers hoped for and more.