‘Masked Singer’ Judges Walk Out After Rudy Giuliani Reveal

The Masked Singer judges Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke apparently walked off the set in disgust when Rudy Giuliani was unmasked during his taped appearance last week in the first episode of the hit show’s newest season, multiple reports say.

According to Deadline, who first reported the news, the pair left the stage to protest Giuliani’s inclusion after the disgraced Donald Trump lawyer and former New York mayor’s reveal as a contestant on the show — although they later returned. The remaining two judges, Jenny McCarthy and Nicole Scherzinger, apparently stayed onstage and chatted with the man who upheld the former president’s false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.

Fox did not comment on the incident. Reps for Jeong and Thicke did not immediately return Rolling Stone‘s requests for a statement.

Giuliani’s appearance is not the first to spark controversy on the singing talent show. In 2020, former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin appeared as the Bear. Her reveal drew criticism from fans of the show.

The Giuliani episode is expected to air next month.