‘I was so scared’: Chargers wideout Keenan Allen on ‘The Masked Singer’ appearance

LOS ANGELES — An outsized, glowing gargoyle costume dripping in gold chains and big gold wings weighed heavy on Keenan Allen’s 6-foot-2, 211-pound body.

The Los Angeles Chargers receiver felt scorching. His eyes strained to see from behind a masks and a deep breath turned tough to take behind a foam mouth piece that was a part of an final effort to hide his identification.

A ten-year NFL veteran, Allen is accustomed to taking part in within the highlight, however acting on a sound stage within the coronary heart of Hollywood felt totally unfamiliar.

“I used to be far more nervous than being on a soccer area,” Allen stated.

In an earpiece, a producer counted Allen in — “three … two … one …” — earlier than lights flashed, backup dancers spun into movement and Allen’s thoughts flashed, “I am not prepared! I am not prepared!” Then, his microphone went stay.

“You’ll keep in mind me,” Allen sang. “Bear in mind me for hundreds of years!”

Singer Robin Thicke appeared on enthusiastically from the choose’s panel, and a studio viewers erupted in cheers as Allen accomplished a brief rendition of Fall Out Boy’s hit “Centuries.” However Allen’s efficiency couldn’t save him from elimination on the Fox collection, “The Masked Singer,” a singing competitors present with a twist: The performers’ identities are hid by costumes till they’re eradicated.

“It’s form of overwhelming,” Allen stated of the expertise. “Taking off the masks was the perfect half.”

On the sphere, the place he has donned a Chargers uniform for his complete profession, Allen has developed a popularity as a reliable playmaker, incomes 5 Professional Bowl appearances and recording probably the most video games (10) with not less than 12 receptions in NFL historical past.

This season, the 31-year-old is anticipated to return to type after a hamstring damage sidelined him for seven video games in 2022. He is anticipated to change into a beneficiary of an up to date offense put in by coordinator Kellen Moore that can create extra explosive performs and open more room for Allen to maneuver as he makes an attempt to assist the Bolts to consecutive playoff berths for the primary time in his decadelong profession.

Even amid the preparation for what might be a memorable season, Allen’s coaches and teammates have been effectively conscious of their star wideout’s look on one other kind of stage.

Throughout a group assembly to open the offseason program, coach Brandon Staley turned on the movie of the gargoyle lighting up the stage.

“We confirmed the group that,” Staley stated, laughing. “I used to be shocked at how good this man was. I could not imagine what I used to be listening to and that that was really him.”

Left deal with Rashawn Slater appeared on in amazement. “I’ve heard him sing within the huddle earlier than,” Slater stated. “And it is fairly good, however I did not understand he had it like that.”

“That was tremendous dope,” defensive deal with Sebastian Joseph-Day stated.

Herbert had an inkling that it was his prime pass-catcher underneath the disguise.

“I had seen among the clips,” Herbert stated. “I knew he had an excellent voice, so it was fairly spectacular to observe this.”

Allen likes to sing. It is a ardour sparked by his mom who made him sing within the choir in Greensboro, North Carolina, when he was younger. He taught himself to play the piano with out studying to learn music.

The 31-year-old has a fledgling music profession. He has launched an R&B/soul single, “Distraction,” underneath the moniker “Ok. Alexander.”

Greater than 10 years in the past whereas in school on the College of California, Berkeley, Allen’s vocal cords and love for singing sparked a love connection along with his spouse, Ciandra, who noticed a video of him singing on Fb.

“He was posting movies of him singing in school on the time,” Ciandra recalled behind shy laughter. “That is what attracted me. I am like, ‘Wow, he isn’t solely cute however he might sing.'”

Allen’s voice now supplies background music in a home bustling with 4 young children.

“He is been singing round the home and in every single place for so long as I can keep in mind,” Ciandra stated. “To do a present like this for the primary time, I used to be so happy with him as a result of I knew he was prepared for it.”

Coaching for the present was intense, Allen stated.

The collection’ manufacturing group fitted Allen for his disguise as a gargoyle, impressed partially by his 4-year-old son, Kado, who loves dinosaurs.

As soon as he realized which songs he would carry out, Allen would sing all through the day, wherever he was. “I simply saved singing,” he stated, “so I did not mess it up.”

Allen formally rehearsed three days per week, placing in 15-hour days in April. He would go away his dwelling at 7 a.m., arriving on set in time to take part in three rehearsals forward of the stay present. Time was spent with a vocal coach however not with fellow superstar members or judges. Every contestant needed to maintain their identification hid by sporting masks with black hoodies emblazoned with the phrases, “Do not discuss to me,” on set. He returned dwelling round 10 p.m. every night.

“It’s extremely TV pleasant,” Allen stated of the present, laughing. “Not participant pleasant.”

Allen stated he couldn’t shake his nerves as he ready to carry out in entrance of a panel of judges that included Thicke, actress Jenny McCarthy, actor Ken Jeong and singer Nicole Scherzinger.

“I used to be so scared,” Allen stated of the expertise, which required stay singing and the memorization of songs he typically was beforehand unfamiliar with. “You are not singing your track. You are singing any individual else’s track. So it is like, f—, I do not need to f— this up!”

Allen sang 4 songs over two episodes earlier than his elimination in a one-on-one battle with the season’s eventual winner, British singer Bishop Briggs.

“All of us felt the expertise within the voice, however I noticed you get slightly extra assured, slightly extra free in every efficiency,” Thicke instructed Allen. “I assumed you probably did an excellent job.”

“You made an enduring affect on us as a result of you have got a ravishing voice,” Scherzer stated, “and your coronary heart all the time shone by means of your entire performances.”

Regardless of constructive critiques from the viewers, judges and teammates, Allen has determined that for now, he’ll follow karaoke, singing in his hallways and dabbling in a possible music profession that doesn’t contain sporting costumes.

“It was enjoyable,” Allen stated of the present. “However I do not need to do it once more.”