Mario Explains How Performing as The Wasp on ‘The Masked Singer’ Was ‘Challenging’

Season 12 of The Masked Singer announced its winner on Wednesday night (Dec. 18), revealing the trio of buffaloes was R&B luminaries Boyz II Men. Coming in second place was Mario as The Wasp, who, in recent weeks, didn’t show his hand and played it coy when asked if he was the artist behind the mask. In an exclusive interview with Billboard, Mario speaks about his time on the show and how he enjoyed the role of The Wasp.

“So many great things came out of that for me,” reveals the “Let Me Love You” singer. “I have a wild imagination, so using my imagination just to imagine how The Wasp would move or even if when I was standing still, creating this character was really fun. I enjoy challenging myself [by] singing different songs like Aretha Franklin. It was a lot of fun.”

Mario divulges his tedious preparation and explains how he sang in the mask to get a feel for the outfit before going out on stage. “You could breathe, but it’s five times harder breathing and delivering. Even if you go back and watch my performances, you can hear the muffles, but that’s what made it real. Once the costume is done, you have to commit to it. So, I was committed.”

December has been an active month for Mario, who released his new album, Glad You Came, on Dec. 13. Executive produced by songwriter extraordinaire James Fauntleroy, Mario etched together his first project in six years and his first with Epic Records, completing his grand return to the R&B circuit.

“I really absorbed how he takes his time to process the music and not rush the storytelling,” Mario says of Fauntleroy’s work ethic. “I like to work like that too, where I like to get my melodies down first. I’ll lock in my melodies, have intention behind it, and be free in the thought process behind it.”

With records such as “Space” and “Glad You Came,” Mario aims to show growth and evolution since entering the music industry in 2002. Next year, he’ll accompany Mary J. Blige and Ne-Yo on tour, and hopes to show off his flashy performance prowess after pitstops on Dancing With the Stars in season six and now, The Masked Singer.

“It looks like a lot of rock n’ roll,” says a gushing Mario when speaking about the forthcoming tour. “It looks like sex, love, partying, crying and everything you would want to feel at a show. All of the human emotions are going to be onstage that night. It’s going to be beautiful.”

Watch Mario’s full interview with Billboard News above as he speaks about “Let Move Love You” turning 20, teaming up with Nas on King Disease 3 and replacing Usher for his first-ever hit “Just a Friend.”