Amber Riley won the Golden Mask trophy on Nov. 30, becoming the first celebrity to win both “The Masked Singer” and “Dancing With the Stars.” For the decorated musician and Broadway actress, winning “The Masked Singer” is further proof that her onstage talents run the gamut. In 2013, she was crowned the winner of Season 17 of “DWTS.”
“I hope everyone felt my soul, because I showed it right here on this stage.”
“It’s been such an amazing experience to be able to come here and be completely covered and let my talent speak for itself,” the season eight winner told the audience after being unmasked on Nov. 30. “And the love that I have for people and I want people to heal and feel what I’m saying. So I hope everyone felt my soul, because I’ve unveiled it right here on this stage.
Riley secured her victory with powerful renditions of Lady Gaga’s “The Edge of Glory” and John Mayer’s “Gravity.” “You are truly one of the finest to ever grace our stage,” judge Nicole Scherzinger said after the performances. In response, Riley told the jury, “It’s so amazing. I’m so excited.” She continued, “It just means a lot to be validated. I’ve been through a lot in this industry, and sometimes you forget who you are and sometimes you need people to remind you.” Previously, she wowed the judges with winning performances of P!nk’s “Perfect,” Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing,” and the “Golden Girls” theme song, “Thank You For Being a Friend.”
Image source: FOX
As Mercedes Jones on “Glee” from 2009 to 2015, her breakout role, Riley blew viewers away with her stunning voice. In 2013, the talented actress and singer showed off her dancing skills on Season 17 of “Dancing With the Stars” alongside her dance partner, six-time show champion Derek Hough. On November 26, 2013, Riley won the Mirrorball Trophy, making her the first black woman to win the dance competition.
After her historic victory, Riley continued to charm audiences on Broadway as Dionne in “Hair” (2014), Effie White in “Dreamgirls” (2016-2017) and Audrey II in “Little Shop of Horrors” (2019) . For her performances on stage in “Dreamgirls,” Riley received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. In 2020, she also released her EP, “Riley”, which won her a Classic Brit award for Album of the Year in 2018.
Closing the final episode of the eighth season of “The Masked Singer,” Riley left fans with some advice: “Whatever you want in this life, go after it,” she said. “It may be difficult, it may be a difficult journey, but at the end of this journey it will be totally and completely worth it, so keep going.”
After singing, dancing and acting all the way to the top, there’s no telling what incredible talent Riley will mesmerize us with next. Check out all of her performances of “The Masked Singer” and the moment she was unmasked.
