Gregory Porter Unmasked: The Dressed Crab’s Secret Struggles on The Masked Singer

So, *The Masked Singer UK* just wrapped up, and let’s be honest, it was a whirlwind of glitter, questionable clues, and some seriously impressive vocal performances.
But the real story?
It’s what happened *behind* the mask.
Specifically, behind the *Dressed Crab* mask.
Turns out, Grammy-winning jazz sensation Gregory Porter had a few, shall we say, *shell*-shocking experiences.

The Big Reveal: Gregory Porter as Dressed Crab

Yep, you heard it right.
The soulful voice that had the judges (and half of Twitter) stumped belonged to none other than Gregory Porter.
But before we get into the singing, the dancing, and the general crab-tastic-ness, let’s talk about the *real* challenge: the costume.
Imagine being a world-class performer, used to connecting with your audience, and then being suddenly encased in a 14kg crustacean shell.
Sounds…cozy?
Not so much.

Porter himself admitted to Joel Dommett, the show’s host, that he battled claustrophobia while in the costume.
“I’m not going to lie,” he confessed.
“I had to get over a little bit of claustrophobia, you know.
Who needs oxygen?
Who needs oxygen?” It’s one thing to hit those high notes; it’s another to do it while feeling like you’re auditioning for a submarine.
The man deserves extra points for sheer perseverance, don’t you think?

The Claw Dilemma: Hands vs.
Pincers

But wait, there’s more!
It wasn’t just the weight and the claustrophobia.
Gregory, a performer known for his expressive hand gestures, had to contend with…claws.
“That was difficult for me because I like to have a connection with my audience.
I like to express myself with my hands,” he explained.
“I can’t tell you how difficult it is.” Can you imagine trying to convey emotion with giant crab pincers?
It’s like trying to conduct an orchestra with oven mitts.
A true test of an artist’s adaptability, wouldn’t you say?

The Weight of It All: More Than Just a Costume

Speaking of the costume, let’s give a shout-out to Tim, the creative director of Plunge Creations, who revealed that the Dressed Crab was the *heaviest* garment on the show, clocking in at a whopping 14kg.
That’s the equivalent of a medium-sized dog, several gallons of milk, or, as the article delightfully points out, two hefty bowling balls.
Tim even admitted he was amazed that the stars didn’t collapse on stage.
And honestly, same.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what Gregory was up against:

**Claustrophobia:** Feeling like you’re living in a submarine.
**Weight:** Carrying around the equivalent of a small dog.
**Limited Movement:** Trying to express yourself with giant claws.

Despite these challenges, Gregory delivered standout performances week after week.
Remember his renditions of “Lean On Me,” “Let’s Groove,” and “Are You Gonna Go My Way”?
Pure gold!
He ultimately finished as runner-up, just behind Pufferfish, who, as we all know now, was West End superstar Samantha Barks.
But hey, second place ain’t bad when you’re battling oxygen deprivation and crustacean-induced anxiety.

Decoding the Crab: The Theories That Almost Were

Before the big reveal, the internet was, naturally, awash with theories about the Dressed Crab’s identity.
Gregory Porter was a popular guess, thanks to that unmistakable voice.
But other names were thrown into the mix, including Billy Porter and Colman Domingo.
Let’s break down some of the top contenders:

**Gregory Porter:** The voice, the clues about faith and headwear (a nod to his signature hat), it all pointed to the Grammy winner.
**Billy Porter:** The “fashionable crustacean” hints and nods to fashion workshops fueled this theory.
Plus, his role as the Fabulous Godmother in *Cinderella* added fuel to the fire.
**Colman Domingo:** His red carpet fashion sense and rising star power made him another potential candidate.

The clues, as always, were a mixed bag of helpful hints and complete red herrings.
Remember the American football helmet?
The nondisclosure agreement?
The gold coins?
It’s a wonder anyone ever guesses these things correctly.

Some fans even speculated that the Dressed Crab was Terry Crews, citing his height and “accent from across the pond.” Other names that popped up included The Weeknd, Jamie Foxx, John Legend, and Michael Kiwanuka.
The possibilities seemed endless, didn’t they?

Gregory Porter on Greatest Hits Radio

Want to hear more about Gregory Porter’s experience on *The Masked Singer*?
Well, you are in luck!
You can catch Gregory Porter on Greatest Hits Radio where he’ll be chatting about it!
Don’t miss it!

The Masked Singer: A Costume Designer’s Nightmare (and Dream?)

Tim, the costume designer, revealed some fascinating details about the Dressed Crab.
It had ornate red ruffles in a flamenco dress style and was built on a big hoop frame with “lots and lots and lots of fabric.” He noted that the performer needed “quite a bit of strength” just to wear it, let alone sing and dance.
He was amazed no one collapsed on stage, and frankly, so are we.

He also mentioned that Knitting, who turned out to be Steps singer Claire Richards, was the heaviest costume ever, weighing in at around 20 kilos.
Apparently, over 350 meters of wool were used to create that cozy getup.
One has to wonder what the dry cleaning bill looked like after each episode!

And let’s not forget Robobunny, worn by Westlife’s Mark Feehily.
According to Tim, Robobunny had “the toughest call in the costumes overall” due to the puppet mechanism of the rabbit’s mouth moving during performances.
It’s safe to say that *The Masked Singer* is a true test of endurance, creativity, and a high tolerance for polyester.

Final Thoughts: Was Gregory Porter Robbed?

Okay, let’s address the elephant (or should we say, crab?) in the room.
Did Gregory Porter deserve to win *The Masked Singer*?
Well, that’s a matter of opinion, isn’t it?
Samantha Barks, as Pufferfish, certainly brought the house down with her incredible vocals.
But Gregory’s soulful performances and his willingness to battle claustrophobia and crab claw-induced awkwardness definitely earned him a special place in our hearts.

Ultimately, *The Masked Singer* is all about entertainment, and Gregory Porter certainly delivered that in spades.
So, while he may not have taken home the crown, he definitely won over the hearts of viewers.
And isn’t that what really matters in the end?

Crab-tivating Questions Answered

Why was Gregory Porter on The Masked Singer UK?

Gregory Porter participated in The Masked Singer UK to challenge himself and entertain audiences with his soulful voice in a unique and unexpected way.

What was Gregory Porter’s biggest challenge on The Masked Singer?

Gregory Porter’s biggest challenge was battling claustrophobia inside the heavy Dressed Crab costume and trying to express himself with limited movement due to the crab claws.

How heavy was the Dressed Crab costume?

The Dressed Crab costume weighed approximately 14kg (30.8 pounds), making it the heaviest costume on the show.

Who won The Masked Singer UK Season featuring Gregory Porter?

Samantha Barks, disguised as Pufferfish, won The Masked Singer UK season where Gregory Porter participated as the Dressed Crab.

What were some of the other guesses for the Dressed Crab’s identity?

Besides Gregory Porter, other guesses for the Dressed Crab’s identity included Billy Porter, Colman Domingo, and even Terry Crews.

Gregory Porter’s Masked Singer Legacy

Despite the challenges posed by the heavy costume and claustrophobia, Gregory Porter’s participation in The Masked Singer UK provided viewers with memorable performances and a glimpse into his resilience as an artist.
Although he didn’t win, his soulful renditions and perseverance won the hearts of many.