Burlesque star Dita Von Teese became the latest celebrity identified on The Masked Dancer.
The 48-year-old, known as the Queen of Burlesque, was unmasked as Beetroot after finding herself in the dance-off with Knickerbocker Glory.
3… 2… 1… 👀 Did YOU guess BEETROOT's REAL identity? 🍠💃😍 #MaskedDancerUK pic.twitter.com/Z5EpFTqX5H
— The Masked Dancer UK (@MaskedSingerUK) May 31, 2021
After being identified, the American said she wanted to do something “unexpected and out of character” in taking part in the show.
She said: “I’ve never done anything like this, and I’m not a competitive person, but I knew it would be hilarious. I also knew people wouldn’t expect me to be under the mask.”
ITV show The Masked Dancer, a spin-off from hit series The Masked Singer, sees 12 celebrities perform routines disguised in elaborate costumes as the panel of Jonathan Ross, Oti Mabuse, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan try to guess their identities.
Von Teese said it “wasn’t easy” to avoid giving away the secret of her time on the show.
She revealed that friends, prompted by her spending time in London for filming, guessed she was making a secret appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race or The Masked Singer.
Von Teese said she avoided further questioning by telling pals it would be funnier for her appearance to be a surprise.
She added: “I’m hoping to host a screening for my LA friends so they can point and laugh at the Beetroot struggling in the group dance numbers and losing the dance-off to Knickerbocker Glory.
“We Americans don’t even know what a Knickerbocker Glory is! Maybe I’ll host my own masked dancer/singer contest as a party. I love a theme party, especially ones with performances involved.”
Von Teese, who was married to controversial rocker Marilyn Manson from 2005 to 2007, said she “loved” the secrecy surrounding The Masked Dancer.
“It was truly top secret,” she said. “This was one of my favourite parts of being on the show. I loved wearing the disguise… the DON’T TALK TO ME sweatshirt, the blackout visor and trainers.
You have ONE FINAL GUESS 👀🍠 Who is Beetroot? 🕵️♂️🕵️♀️ #MaskedDancerUK pic.twitter.com/vYkaN6pSHs
— The Masked Dancer UK (@MaskedSingerUK) May 31, 2021
“I also enjoyed not having to put on my glam every day, I kind of enjoyed being make-up-free under the disguise. But it was torture not knowing who the others were.
“And it was hard not to be able to talk while on set. I really wanted to be able to chat with the dancing carrots and onions supporting me through the dance number.”
Singer Louise Redknapp and Diversity star Jordan Banjo were previously unmasked.
The Masked Dancer on ITV and the ITV Hub continues at 7.30pm on Tuesday.