Okay 90s kids get ready to feel some serious nostalgia and maybe grab a tissue because This week's Masked Singer reveal was a real heart-tugger. Remember the name James Van Der Beek ? Yeah Dawson Leery himself just got unmasked as the Griffin and it was way more emotional than anyone expected!
Griffin Takes Flight on Grand Ole Opry Night But Lands in Elimination Zone: James Van Der Beek Is Revealed!
This week was Grand Ole Opry Night on The Masked Singer and the Griffin was belting out country tunes like a pro. He gave us John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Roads" and honestly it was beautiful. But sadly even with his solid performance Griffin landed in the bottom two facing off against Boogie Woogie in a Battle Royale. They both sang "I Had Some Help" but in the end Griffin got the boot . And that's when the waterworks started because under that feathery Griffin mask was none other than James Van Der Beek.
From Teen Idol to The Masked Singer Stage: James Van Der Beek's Unexpected Musical Turn
Turns out James Van Der Beek always had a secret passion for singing. He admitted that he actually dreamed of being a singer and being on Broadway way before accidentally becoming a teen heartthrob on Dawson's Creek. Life takes funny turns huh? He joked about becoming a teen idol totally by accident at 20. But this Masked Singer gig was him finally getting to explore that musical side he had always kept tucked away.
He performed a range of songs during his time as Griffin showing off his versatility. He tackled Zac Efron and Zendaya's "Rewrite the Stars" Rihanna's "Disturbia" and even battled it out with Post Malone and Morgan Wallen's "I Had Some Help". That's quite a mix!
Clues Dropped Like Feathers: Texas, Football, and Those Tell-Tale Dawson's Creek Vibes Pointed to Van Der Beek
The clues for Griffin were dropping hints left and right but did you catch them? The Texas clue? Big hint towards Varsity Blues which was huge for him. Football? Varsity Blues again! A row boat? Hello Dawson's Creek and that iconic creek! And a first aid kit? That one was more personal and poignant alluding to his recent colorectal cancer diagnosis.
Even guest judge Casey Wilson nailed it guessing James Van Der Beek correctly while the other judges were throwing out names like Kyle Chandler Chad Michael Murray and Josh Hartnett. Casey deserves some serious props for her Masked Singer detective skills!
Tears and Triumph: James Van Der Beek's Emotional Reveal and Family Reunion on Stage
The unmasking itself was seriously moving. James opened up about a tough year mentioning news that "changed everything". He was talking about his recent cancer diagnosis and how much his family his wife Kimberly and their six kids meant to him during that difficult time. He dedicated his Masked Singer journey to them calling them his "safe space" and his "home".
It was already emotional enough and then Nick Cannon brought James's six kids out on stage for a surprise family reunion. Cue ALL the feels. James was beaming his kids were clearly proud and there might have been a few tears shed by everyone in the audience and probably at home too. It was such a genuine and heartwarming moment.
A Heartthrob's Journey: From Dawson's Creek to Cancer Battle to The Masked Singer Stage
James Van Der Beek's Masked Singer stint wasn't just about singing and costumes. It was a story of resilience family and pursuing passions even after life throws curveballs. He went from teen idol fame to facing a serious health challenge and then bravely stepping onto The Masked Singer stage to share his voice and his story. It's inspiring stuff.
He told E! News back in December that he was "doing great" and "feeling good" after his diagnosis. The Masked Singer appearance really underscored that strength and positivity. He turned a personal struggle into a moment of joy and connection. And let's be real seeing Dawson Leery belt out John Denver while dressed as a Griffin? That's iconic in itself.
Unmasked Celebrities of Masked Singer Season 13 So Far:
- Honey Pot: Cedric the Entertainer
- Fuzzy Peas: Oscar De La Hoya
- Ant: Aubrey O'Day
- Bat: Scheana Shay
- Space Ranger: Flavor Flav
- Griffin: James Van Der Beek