The Masked Singer fans have expressed outrage after Macaw’s identity was revealed amid his shock loss to winner Medusa.
American Idol alum David Archuleta, 32, was revealed as the singer under the Macaw mask at Wednesday night’s finale when he was named runner-up to Bishop Briggs, who appeared as the character Medusa.
Bishop, 30, took the win over the 32-year-old multi-platinum artist, and his triumph over David sparked a wave of fans defending the wearer of the macaw, with one person declaring, “#TheMaskedSinger, you BROKE my HEART!” ‘
Some even accused the singing competition’s voting system of being manipulated and unfair.
Fans have taken to social media after David Archuleta of the macaw was voted runner-up to Medusa’s Bishop Briggs on Wednesday night’s finale of The Masked Singer
This is David’s second time in second; his first was on American Idol in 2008
Bishop Briggs, who was behind the Medusa mask, was crowned the winner of the singing competition
Some commented that they were “never watching this show again,” with another adding, “Done with this show.” Fixed.’
Fans who grew up watching American Idol, which also originally aired on Fox, had flashbacks to 2008 when David was runner-up on that show as well. Singer David Cook won that year.
On person wrote, “It’s a hate crime that David Archuleta came second to a not-so-great singer/performer again.”
Another added, “Literally the worst, most anti-climatic season of #MaskedSinger ever. David has been robbed!’
A social media user accused the show of “setups,” saying, “David Archuleta gave a clean, powerful vocal performance.
“He should have won tonight! I feel like this season was kind of set up for Medusa to win, though…even when others clearly sang her, they kept her on. Sumthin is wrong…”
The viewers of Masked Singer were also not a fan of Medusa’s singing and added: “Apparently with screaming and screaming you win the golden mask…”
Not only were fans upset about Wednesday night’s results, but they also called attention to the negative flashbacks that came from David coming in second on American Idol.
The sad throwback nostalgia provoked David’s fans to defend him even more.
Fans responded by writing, “FOX really has the nerve to deny David Archuleta another singing contest win…it’s 2008 again.”
Another person added, “You did this to torture David Archuleta again, and that’s not cool at all.”
Viewers also took their anger and comic relief to memes and captions online.
After performing and revealing his face, David gave an emotional speech about his experience as a macaw and his personal LGBTQ+ journey that left many in tears.
“Being Ara felt liberating. Coming out felt liberating, and it’s scary. I grew up very religious. It was a big part of my life. And I believed if I lived this way, like being queer, I was going to be bad,” he shared.
“So I worked really hard to be something other than that… I thought, ‘Maybe it’s better if I’m not there,'” he continued.
“But I realized I can’t change this. So if anyone else grew up, you know, feeling like they were bad just because of who they were attracted to and loved, I want you to know that it’s worth working up the courage to be your true nature.’
‘It is scary. But you are worth it. You matter, and it’s so beautiful,” he said as the audience applauded.
Despite David not winning the singing competition himself, fans quickly took to his Instagram to let him know that he was their true ‘winner’, due to his transparent, courageous and resilient speech.
One person wrote: ‘Through your honesty and openness, sharing your journey, you save lives. I have no doubts about it and that seems like a win to me.’
Another added, “I have no words to describe what I felt when I looked at you every time you were on stage. You gave me chills every time. You are so beautiful inside and out. I cried like a baby with your speech. You are the winner in many of our eyes!’
David’s Instagram currently only has three posts. One is his portrait shot with the caption, “Things are looking good.” Look out for an announcement soon.’
The second post features the single cover of his song that looks like a macaw, with a blurry photo of a colorful and holographic bird flying, and the caption, “Up – June Second – new single available for pre-save at midnight tonight ET.” ‘