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‘The Masked Singer’ disclosed the identity of the Orca: Here’s the star behind the mask

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Wherever Mark McGrath goes, individuals will stop and they’ll see… the Orca.

The Sugar Ray singer and former “Extra” have was the latest celebrity to be revealed on “The Masked Singer,” where he had proceeded as the Orca. McGrath sang “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” by Poison, for his second and last performance.

“I think it might be the only competitor in the history of ‘The Masked Singer’ whose costume is way cooler than they are in real life,” McGrath said of his costume. “When I saw the Orca I thought, oh my god, it’s perfect. I’ve got some head room. I thought energy was gonna be my go to. It was never going to be my five-octave vocal range that we know that doesn’t exist. I was gonna have to get by on a little chutzpa and rock and roll, and a whole lot of luck, and the Orca costume really lent that to me.”

None of the show’s panelists sorted out it was McGrath. Robin Thicke and Ken Jeong thought it was Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg guessed surfer Kelly Slater and Nicole Scherzinger thought it was Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl.

“My head was expanding inside that Orca costume,” he said. “All these guesses in real time, all those Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members. My performance was good but they’ve got a beautiful way at ‘The Masked Singer’ of really uplifting and celebrating everybody. Whether your Rob Gronkowski or LeAnn Rimes, they are going to make you feel so good about yourself. And that’s a beautiful part of the show. I was blown away to hear those guesses.”

McGrath was the show’s first “Wildcard,” acquired in mid-competition to perform. He said he didn’t realize that going into the show.

“’The Masked Singer’ is very good in the information is given on a need to know basis only,” he said. “I didn’t know I was coming out as a wildcard. In my mind, a wildcard means you had a bull’s eye on your back. I was kind of thrown by that, as I’m walking out to do my first rehearsal. But when I got out there and I saw the production. It looked like one of those Ziegfeld Follies 1930s Hollywood production. It looked underwater on TV so they did a wonderful job of alleviating, my Wildcard concerns.”

McGrath was prepared to sing “It’s Tricky” by Run DMC for his third number if he had returned. His first number was We’re Not Gonna Take It,” by Twisted Sister.

“The thing that really attracted me most of ‘The Masked Singer,’ is that it scared me,” he said. “It scared the heck out of me because it’s a singing competition. Now you might think, your career is as a singer/entertainer. [But] no one’s ever been confused by voice with Pavarotti or Chris Martin. But being able to be someone else inside the mask, obviously was something attractive to me.

“What I didn’t know, is what an emotional component this show would have for me,” he said. “You become part of this mystery adventure park vibe. It’s the world of costumes and make-believe. You breathe life into this thing, into this Orca, and when I took the mask off the last time, there is no more life, I essentially this Orca is gone. It was so fun to be a part of that, to fool people when you were singing as part of the Orca’s aura and being. I have 10 year old twins and that was a huge part of why I did it. And what a wonderful opportunity in a year that people aren’t doing a lot of things in the music industry. What a ride it was.”

McGrath said Sugar Ray has begun to perform once more, remembering gigs for Orlando and Tampa, and the band’s mid year dates are beginning to top off.

“I’m excited to see if anything happens with this ‘Masked Singer,’” he said. “Once you’re part of the Masked Singer, you’re part of the family. They do tours and things like that. I let them know that I’m available for anything you need. I’m here for ‘The Masked Singer.’”

Then, Nick Cannon was back full time as host, having recently been in isolate for COVID-19. Niecy Nash filled in as visitor host of “The Masked Singer” for the show’s initial five scenes, until Cannon was unmasked a week ago as the Bulldog.

This current season’s costumes include Raccoon, Seashell, Black Swan, Snail, Grandpa Monster, Phoenix, Chameleon, Russian Doll(s), Porcupine, The Piglet and the trump cards Orca, Crab and Bulldog. Gun as the Bulldog joins recently exposed superstars Nick Cannon (Bulldog), Logan Paul (Grandpa Monster), Danny Trejo (as Raccoon), Caitlyn Jenner (as Phoenix) and Kermit the Frog (as Snail).

The Season 5 contestants brag a joined 26 Grammy nominations, nine multi-platinum singles, four Academy Award nominations, three Super Bowl appearances, six gold decorations and two world records.

The show’s panelists are likewise once vieing for a “Golden Ear” trophy dependent on their initial impressions of each masked performer (which McCarthy won last time). Jeong and McCarthy Wahlberg each had a point up until now, heading into this scene.

McCarthy Wahlberg’s and Scherzinger’s initial feeling supposes were both Dave Grohl, Thicke went with Billie Joe Armstrong, while Jeong’s was Jon Bon Jovi. None of them got a point.

Here were the other contestants and their performances on night six, “Group A Finals — In the Nick of Time”:

Russian Dolls (three contestants)

Song: “Want to Want Me,” by Jason Derulo
Cannon clue: “What Goes Around… Comes Around.” “We had been together for some time, but as fate would have it, it was time to come back together on stage.”
Panel guesses: Pentatonix, the Jonas Brothers, 98 Degrees
Voice-over: “When this duo became a trio last time, it was a game changer for real. Performing on this epic stage is a far cry from where we started. Life on the road was definitely not glamorous. We performed everywhere, from parking lots to softball fields. But we put our heart and soul in every performance. And the years of hustle paid off, when we finally got the chance to perform for the president. And we crushed it. We raised the roof. Of the White House. And now we’re leaning on that hard working spirit to take us to the Super 8.”
Previous songs: “Man in the Mirror,” by Michael Jackson; “Wonder,” by Shawn Mendes
Previous panel guesses: Boyz II Men; Vanessa Hudgens; Darren Criss, Matthew Morrison, Kevin McHale or other “Glee” stars; Gwen Stefani and No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont, Sugarland, Boyz II Men, Jacksons

Porcupine/”Robopine”

Song: “Killing Me Softly,” by Roberta Flack
Cannon clue: “AKA.” “My first show they came out and said porcupine, and I said no, I’m Robopine. So, AKA.”
Panel guesses: Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Terence Howard
Voice-over: “The quills are out tonight, and I’m ready to unleash some magic on that stage. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this masked adventure. But now I’m on a mission to make it to the end. And I know a good mission because I’ve been on one my entire career. A quest for a certain golden relic. It’s been an action packed, fast-paced ride. I’m dodged booby traps and so many times my life has nearly crumbled. But I always escaped because I’ve been jonesing for that idol. But for now, I’m chasing a new idol, the golden mask. Winning it will be proof that the ultimate relic will be mine.”
Previous song: “Never Too Much,” by Luther Vandross; “All of Me,” by John Legend
Previous panel guesses: Jamie Foxx, Idris Elba, Lionel Richie, Ginuwine, Brian McKnight, Jason Derulo, Wesley Snipes, Eddie Murphy

Seashell

Song: “Tell Me Something Good,” by Rufus feat. Chaka Khan
Cannon clue: “Motown.” “Motown brought my family together.”
Panel guesses: Ashanti, Mya, Keke Palmer, Alicia Silverstone
Voice-over: “I’ve been so fortunate my entire career to walk in a variety of shoes. But one of the things I’m most proud of is I have been called a trailblazer, a role model. Sometimes I get stopped when I’m out shopping or at the movies. And it’s the biggest honor. Because when I was younger, shells like me weren’t given many opportunities to be seen. But I fought the current that flowed against me. And now seeing so many people follow my path, that’s what keeps me going strong. Now tonight, I can’t wait for everyone to see what I have in store as I continue to blaze forward.”
Previous song: “Listen to Your Heart,” by Roxette; “Confident,” by Demi Lovato
Previous panel guesses: Kristen Chenoweth, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ashlee Simpson, Jenny Slate, Haylie Duff

WILDCARD: Yeti

Song: “If It Isn’t Love,” by New Edition
Cannon clue: “Aphrodite.” “Yeti is all about love, love, love.”
Panel guesses: Ray J, Justin Bieber, Taran Killam
Voice-over: “As a Yeti, I only come out of hiding for a mammoth reason. And here, it’s to be a wild force to be reckoned with. So watch your step. Where I come from, too many yetis become monsters. But I had a secret weapon. A village of warrior women who were always there to show me the way. Having them as motivators and teachers was golden. And made me the abominable gentleman I am today. Knowing these warriors had my back gave me the confidence to go for the mountaintop when others wouldn’t even dare. The yetis are usually chased from their village. But I was raised right. Being here is a thank you to them.”

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Longlegs Kills its Way to a $25 Million debut, and Despicable Me 4 wins the weekend

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At the summer box office, the Minions have taken the lead, and they aren’t letting go.

Despicable Me 4 is having a profitable weekend in theaters for the second week in a row. Within just two weeks of its release, the Illumination sequel has made $44.6 million domestically, a 40 percent decrease from its opening weekend profits. This brings its total box office receipts to $211 million.

Having started with Despicable Me just 12 years ago, the series has grown to become one of the highest-grossing animated franchises ever. The movie brought in an additional $87.9 million overseas, for a total cume of $437.8 million worldwide.

Oz Perkins’ most recent horror movie made $25.7 million at the box office worldwide after opening at $22.6 million domestically. Maika Monroe plays FBI Agent Lee Harker in the movie, an astute investigator tasked with solving the case of an unsolved serial killer who unexpectedly turns up evidence of the occult.

One of the main reasons people are lining up to see the horror movie in theaters is probably curiosity. In addition to learning the truth about the enigmatic murderer, viewers will only get to witness Nicolas Cage’s terrifying transition into the movie’s lead villain. The persona has so far been purposefully kept under wraps in movie trailers and promotional materials.

Prior to the movie’s premiere, Perkins told Entertainment Weekly, “It’s driving people towards a freak show at a circus tent.” “We’ve got the thing behind the curtain, and when there are enough people gathered ’round, we’re going to pull the curtain.”

Cage continued. “He is going to change your reality. Your doors of perception are going to open, and your life is not going to be the same.”

Less scary news: Inside Out 2 continues to have a great theatrical run, giving Pixar another emotional weekend. Five weeks after its premiere, the sequel movie brought in $20.7 million at the US box office, a 32% decrease from the previous week’s profits. The 2015 sequel to Inside Out is currently the highest-grossing Pixar film ever, with a global cume of $1.3 billion and a domestic total of $572.5 million.

Fourth place went to another sequel: A Quiet Place: Day One, the most recent in John Krasinkski’s gripping post-apocalyptic series, which debuted in June and told the heartwarming story of Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, and an incredibly quiet cat. The movie’s domestic gross of $116.2 million was increased by an additional $11.8 million. With a worldwide cume of $220.7 million, the thriller about surviving New York while superhearing aliens hunt humans made significantly less money abroad, taking in $10.4 million.

Fly Me to the Moon, an Apple movie that stars Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson as a NASA launch chief and marketing genius, rounds out the list at number five. Their adorableness is eclipsed as they collaborate during the final stages of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The movie made a total of $19 million worldwide after opening at just $10 million domestically and earning an additional $9 million in other countries. Aside from its run at the theater, the movie should do better when it becomes available on the studio’s streaming service, AppleTV+.

Johansson told EW that she was committed to seeing the movie through to completion since big romantic comedies are in high demand.

Johansson stated that “The most challenging projects to find are romantic comedies and dramedies.” “The totally original script by Rose Gilroy was what excited me most about this film. It is a big picture movie that feels both nostalgic and so modern and the kind of movie I’m always reaching for that you rarely get to see in theaters these days. Audiences are hungry for original films!”

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Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon 2’ Theatrical Release Postponed Amid First Film’s Box Office Disappointment

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Following the failure of Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1 during its late-month theater premiere, the movie has been removed from the release schedule for the time being. The sequel will still likely be released in theaters, albeit a new release date has not yet been revealed.

Following much deliberation, Territory Pictures, owned by Costner, and distribution partner New Line Cinema decided to reschedule their ambitious release schedule with the goal of giving the $100 million first film’s audience more time to grow.

As part of that endeavor, Chapter 1 will continue to be accessible for viewing in theaters and have its home debut on Premium VOD on July 16.

In order to allow viewers more time to find the first installment of Horizon over the next few weeks, especially on PVOD and Max, Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema have opted not to release Horizon: Chapter 2 on August 16. A New Line representative added, “We are grateful to our exhibition partners for their ongoing support as moviegoers across the U.S. discover the film during its theatrical run.

“The audience response to Horizon, and enthusiasm for seeing our story continue in Horizon 2, has been incredibly gratifying. Kevin made this film for people who love movies and who wanted to go on a journey. The support that we have received from film fans, and the theater owners, as they experience the first chapter of this saga only serves to reinforce our belief in them and the films that we have made, and we thank them for coming on board for the ride. We welcome the opportunity for that window to be expanded as we know it will only serve to enhance the experience of seeing Horizon 2.” added Territory Pictures in a separate statement.

Max’s Release Date is Still Pending

The parent company of New Line, Warner Bros., started alerting theater owners on Wednesday morning about the shocking last-minute move. The opportunity to purchase early tickets for Chapter 2 was provided by numerous theaters; however, those purchases will now need to be reimbursed.

Costner took a significant risk with the Horizon series, investing $38 million of his personal funds into Chapter 1 and raising the remaining funds from the sale of international rights and two unidentified investors. For a fee, New Line and Warners agreed to distribute and market the first two films, with Costner covering the marketing himself. Costner plans to produce a total of four movies.

Despite his reputation for confidence, Costner surprised the film industry when he said he would be directing four Horizon films, which would follow the enormous migration west during the Civil War era, for the first time in decades. Warner Bros. stated in April that it will be distributing the first two movies with a release window of less than two months apart, which was an unusual move. Because of his commitment to Horizon, Costner departed his popular program Yellowstone because he was so involved.

Although Costner’s film did not quite ignite his fans or Yellowstone viewers to the desired extent, especially those between the ages of 18 and 44, it did play best in mountainous regions, the Midwest, South, and South Central states. Costner believed his film would strike a nerve in America’s heartland, just as Yellowstone has. It should come as no surprise that the bulk of the audience is over 45 and the film has a noticeably older tilt.

Warner Bros. developed a marketing campaign that largely included Costner, who both toured the nation and had the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The studio also made use of sibling organizations that are a part of Warner Bros. Discovery, such as TCM, where Costner made an appearance as a guest programmer, and TNT sporting events, such MLB and NBA games. In addition, there were trips to military bases and comprehensive screening procedures in other locations.

The return date of Horizon: Chapter 2 to theaters has not yet been announced. The third and fourth film’s distribution rights were not acquired by Warner Bros. or New Line.

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Wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant Drives up Prices at BKC Hotel; Nights Now Cost Around Rs 1 Lakh

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The pre-wedding festivities for Anant Ambani, the billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s son, and his fiancée, Radhika Merchant, are said to have caused a spike in Mumbai hotel rates.

The major hotel complexes in the posh Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) are completely booked, and room prices are soaring. According to The Hindustan Times, one hotel is asking an incredible Rs 91,350 per night on July 14, a significant rise from the customary Rs 13,000 per night.

The wedding is scheduled for July 12 at the Jio World Convention Centre in BKC, Mumbai, and is anticipated to attract a sizable number of well-known guests.

While the precise lodging arrangements for attendees remain unknown, the skyrocketing hotel costs in BKC and the adjacent areas suggest a notable influx of well-known figures and celebrities.

On July 5, international musical sensation Justin Bieber performed, attracting prominent figures from the entertainment and sports industries. This marked the start of the festivities. The wedding on July 12, the “Shubh Aashirwad” ceremony on July 13, and the “Mangal Utsav” banquet on July 14 are all part of the ongoing events.

In order to minimize disruption to the public, Mumbai Traffic Police has issued an alert regarding the increased traffic and has implemented traffic restrictions near the Jio World Convention Centre from 1 PM to midnight, July 12-15.

The higher demand is reflected in the hotel rates in BKC. There was no availability from July 10 to July 14. Room rates at the Trident BKC increased from Rs 10,250 per night including taxes on July 9 to Rs 16,750 on July 15. In a same vein, rates at Sofitel BKC skyrocket from Rs 13,000 plus taxes on July 9 to Rs 91,350 on July 14, and reservations for July 10 and 11 are unavailable.

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