<em>The Masked Singer </em>season 14 contestant Stingray was unmasked and revealed to be actor, musician, and entrepreneur Evan Ross. After panelists Rita Ora and Robin Thicke finally figured out that Stingray was their friend, Evan, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg and Ken Jeong agreed, and they held hands as they all said his name for their final guesses. Evan is the son of music legend Diana Ross, and the brother of iconic actress Tracee Ellis Ross.

The Masked Singer panelists previously had wrong guesses of Lenny Kravitz, Donald Glover, Joey McIntyre, or Chris Tucker (Ken); Jaden Smith (Jenny and Rita); Jordan Fisher (Jenny); Lil’ Romeo or Jason Derulo (Rita); and Patrick Schwarzenegger (Robin). However, host Nick Cannon immediately knew that Stingray was his friend Evan, but kept it a secret all season.

Throughout the competition, Evan had several phenomenal performances, including “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees (Premiere Night), “Momma Song” by Benson Boone (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Night), “Bad Habits” by Ed Sheeran (Twilight Night), and “Starboy” by The Weeknd (Star Trek Night).

In an interview with ScreenRant, Evan discussed how he created the character of Stingray, why he joined The Masked Singer, which performance was his favorite, how his mother reacted to his appearance, how he navigated his costume, what he thought of the panelists’ wrong guesses, what surprised him most about being on the show, and what’s next for him.

Evan Ross Enjoyed Crafting the Character of Stingray on The Masked Singer Season 14

ScreenRant: You were so extraordinary as Stingray. What was it like to become him?

Evan Ross: I had so much fun. It’s interesting because when I first got there, and you start putting on the outfit, it takes a while to get comfortable. But it’s interesting because no one knows it’s you. So you kind of get to create this kind of human being that doesn’t have to be like you at all. And I kept reminding myself like, “Oh, you don’t have to worry about people thinking it’s you. So you can just kind of play with it.”

And so for whatever reason, as you start doing it, you really do start creating this character in your head, even the way he walks and all that kind of stuff. It was special. I had such a great time.

ScreenRant: That’s great. Why did you want to join the show?

Evan: I liked the show already from the beginning. I saw from when it first started. A lot of the people hosting the show are close friends of mine. Nick Cannon and Rita and Robin Thicke. I’ve known Robin forever and done music with him too. And so I was excited to do it. And I also just liked the idea that I could sing some of these songs that I love, and nobody would know it’s me. I don’t know. It just felt like fun.

Evan’s Mother Diana Ross Loved Watching Him As Stingray

ScreenRant: You sang some epic songs like “Stayin’ Alive,” “Momma Song,” “Bad Habits,” and “Starboy.” Which was your favorite performance of those?

Evan: I think the “Momma Song” was my favorite because my mom loved it. And that made me happy. But I think “Stayin’ Alive”–I love that video so much. I had watched all this, and then I just had a deep dive with all of them.

I sang the vocal lower than they did. It’s incredible how high they sang that song. If you listen to that song, they are incredible. I mean, obviously, they’re incredible. That was my favorite song I sang. I think vocally what I liked the most was probably “Momma.” And I’m glad that my mom liked it.

ScreenRant: Speaking of your mom, would you mind sharing how she reacted to you being on the show overall?

Evan: She loved it. She was like, “You got to find a way to own that mask.” She was like, “It’s so great. We should put that up at the house.” But she loved it. She loved it.

ScreenRant: Did she know that you were on it from the beginning or was it a surprise to her as it went on?

Evan: She didn’t know in the beginning. I think Tracee had figured out that it was [me] … I mean, it’s hard not to… especially if you’re my sibling and you’re watching. You’re going to know it’s me. So then she did and she sent me some messages. But yeah, I mean … she loved it. She thought it was great.

I think for my mom too what she thought was amazing was the art illustration and the costumes. And one of the people that was actually doing some of the sewing–they were doing something with my outfit–we were talking, and she worked with Bob Mackie back in the day. And my mom designed a bunch of clothes with Bob Mackie. So she was kind of inspired by the fact that they are able to make these clothes and do these things and create these characters. So it’s pretty impressive.

Evan Revealed Why He Did Stingray’s Signature Dance Move

ScreenRant: Your costume seemed like it was easy to move around in. What was it like?

Evan: No, no. Not at all. Not only could I not move around, but I couldn’t see anything either. I just had to trust that everybody’s walking me where I have to go. I fell a few times. But that’s why people are like, “Oh man, he keeps doing this pelvic thrust.” I’m like because I didn’t want to move too far because I thought I was going to fall over. So I was kind of just standing as still as possible but moving when I could.

Evan Thought The Masked Singer Panelists Knew Who He Was From The Beginning

ScreenRant: What did you think of the panelists’ wrong guesses for you?

Evan: Man, I don’t know. I really feel like they must have known it was me especially because they’re all friends of mine. They were ridiculous though [laughs]. That’s why I felt like they must know it was me because I was like, “Who comes up with these names?” [laughs] But it was fun. I had such a good time. I loved everybody I worked with on that production. I think I miss them the most. I had such a good time.

ScreenRant: I’ve heard really good things about the production and how they take care of you and make you feel safe.

Evan: Unbelievable. And they cheer you on and root for you even when you’re frustrated. It’s kind of amazing. They become family very quickly. Tim [Carter], who’s the vocal coach is phenomenal. The thing about him is that everybody fights to have him because he’s amazing and he can’t get to everybody all the time. But yeah, it was great. I had such a good time.

Evan Unsuccessfully Tried To Figure Out Who His Fellow Masked Singer Contestants Were

ScreenRant: You competed in the Vampire Royale against Billy Ray Cyrus as Owl on Twilight Night. Did you have any idea that it was him as you two were competing against each other?

Evan: No. I had no idea about anybody. They keep us so in a place where you can’t see each other that you don’t know who anyone is competing against you at all.
The only thing is I’d try to listen into the other trailers if I could hear people doing their warmups and feel if I could know who it might be but no you don’t it’s impossible.
You can’t see anybody.

Evan Was Impressed By The Masked Singer Production

ScreenRant: What surprised you most about being on The Masked Singer?

Evan: Well, I don’t know what surprised me exactly but it’s definitely the production itself.
I couldn’t believe what they do—it’s crazy what they do! It’s like a massive production.
Even the way we get to set …
I had two people who were with me—they wrapped them up just like they wrapped me up—no one could see them just in case somebody knew they were my friends or whatever.
The stages would switch around for each of us in one day looking like a movie? You walked in there thinking “What in the world? How do they do that? How do they switch that around within an hour or two for somebody else’s performance?” It’s amazing—pretty brilliant!

Evan Has An Album & An Art Show Coming Up Next

ScreenRant: Up next you have an album on the horizon and an art show in London.
What can you share about that?

Evan: Both things have been something I’ve been trying to make sure I’m able to find time for—to do and create.
I’ve been doing a lot of producing along with a few different projects but really wanted to release music.
I wanted it done in my own way.
I’ve done some art shows but wanted something specific tied into music as well—and finding just the right place for that.
I’m excited—I’m actually most excited about this because it’s something I’ve got to do!

Sources: The Masked Singer / YouTube