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'The Masked Singer' Season 10: Cuddle Monster unmasked as Ron Artest, ex-NBA star shuts 'Metta can't sing' rumors

Anteater saved after Smackdown round with Cuddle Monster in 'The Masked Singer' Season 10 Trolls Night

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Cuddle Monster came in the 'The Masked Singer' Season 10 Trolls Night episode as the wild card entry.

However, the masked singer did not succeed in going ahead in the show and, therefore, was left eliminated in the Smackdown.

After a rigorous singing competition between Anteater and Cuddle Monster singing 'Can't Stop the Feeling' by Justin Timberlake, Cuddle Monster was eliminated and therefore fans cheered "Take it off" for the masked singer.

Cuddle Monster was revealed to be former NBA star Metta Sandiford-Artest aka Metta World Peace aka Ron Artest.

The judges were shocked to see the NBA star appear in 'The Masked Singer' as none of them guessed it would be him under the mask. 

Panels guesses for Cuddle Monster were Dennis Rodman, Draymond Green and Shaquille O’Neal. 

Metta tols Variety, "The only place you’re really allowed to sing if you’re not a singer, is the shower and 'The Masked Singer.'

He added, "I had the perfect excuse. So, I really don’t want to hear anything from anybody saying 'Metta can’t sing, was he trying to come out with an album?' Nope, I was on 'The Masked Singer.' And I get a pass."

'The Masked Singer' Season 10: Clues for Cuddle Monster

As Cuddle Monster entered the show as a wild card entry, he was seen singing 'You Got It (The Right Stuff)' by New Kids on the Block. 

The clue package for Cuddle Monster had "Champ" written on it. The masked singer said, "This clue should shed light on who I am," hinting at his basketball career.

Entering as a wild card entry, Cuddle Monster said, "Me? A wild card? It’s gotta be destiny, because I was definitely a wild child."

He revealed he grew up in a "beautiful but sometimes violent place." Metta grew up in Queens, New York. He got out of that place as he discovered his passion for basketball.

The clue package claimed, "I had sponsorship deals, sneakers, even a record or two. Despite all that fame and recognition, my trauma was keeping up with me and I couldn’t quiet the monster inside," hinting towards the fame he got after being a successful NBA star.

Metta revealed in the clue package that he was "self-destructive" while he was at the peak of his career.

He added, "I couldn’t figure out why I was always unhappy and defensive. So I took a giant step and asked for help. I learned the tools to tame the rage through meditation and positive energy."

The clue package ended with Cuddle Monster advising his fans, "Never let your circumstances determine your fate. Sometimes, all you need is a change in perspective and persona to let your inner cuddle monster sing."

Los Angeles Lakers' Metta World Peace played 19 seasons in NBA

Before becoming Metta World Peace in 2011, he was known as Metta Sandiford-Artest. Formerly known as Ron Artest played 19 seasons in NBA, starting from 1999.

In 1999, he was selected by the Chicago Bulls. Later, Metta joined the Indiana Pacers in 2002. In July 2009, he was signed by Los Angeles Lakers to a 5-year deal with $33 Million. 

Metta chose 37 to be the jersey number in order to honor Michael Jackson as his album was at No. 1 on the charts for 37 straight weeks.

'The Masked Singer' Season 10 releases new episodes every Sunday at 8 pm ET on FOX.