Maya Jama wades into Macy Gray ITV Masked Singer storm-off row as she mocks singer’s reaction
Maya Jama has poked fun at Macy Gray’s dramatic exit from The Masked Singer after the Grammy-winning singer stormed off stage during Saturday night’s elimination.
The 57-year-old I Try singer, who performed as Toad in the Hole, abruptly left the stage when it was announced she would be leaving the ITV show.
Jama, 30, who serves as a judge alongside Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, and Mo Gilligan, shared a clip of Gray’s exit on Instagram with the sarcastic caption: “Me at any minor inconvenience.”
In the footage, the Love Island presenter can be seen looking shocked and telling fellow judge Jonathan Ross “Toad’s off!” as Gray marched past bewildered host Joel Dommett.
The incident occurred during the third elimination of the series, which sees celebrities perform while wearing elaborate disguises.
Producers reportedly spent nearly an hour persuading Gray to return for her unmasking and final performance after her unexpected departure.
A source present at the recording told The Sun: “When Macy stormed off stage everyone was frozen in shock but as soon as she reached backstage, crew removed her mask so they could talk her down.”
The insider revealed Gray was “totally blindsided” by her early elimination, having previously reached the final of the American version in 2023.
“Macy was almost shell-shocked to start with and was basically gutted to be out so early,” the source claimed. “It was the shock of it for her as well as the upset and in that moment she had a very raw, human reaction and wanted out.”
When Gray eventually returned, she participated in an awkward exchange, giving short, terse answers during the interview segment.
Host Dommett addressed the incident during an interview with Paddy McGuinness on BBC Radio 2, explaining the unique challenges of The Masked Singer’s format.
“It’s sort of a singing show but it’s also sort of a guessing show – so it kind of doesn’t really sit in either camp,” he said.
Dommett noted that Gray’s distinctive voice may have worked against her: “Sometimes, like the case with Macy Gray, she has such a recognisable voice and she’s a legend so you immediately know who it is.”
He remained optimistic about the situation, adding: “The funny thing is, I think it’s a win-win scenario on that game – whether you go through to the final it’s a win as you’re winning it. But also if you go home early it’s a win because you get to go early and you get the same money.”
This was not Gray’s first controversial exit from The Masked Singer franchise.
Three years ago, she appeared on the Australian version as Atlantis and reportedly refused to leave the stage after being eliminated.
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Australian judge Dave ‘Hughesy’ Hughes told 2Day FM’s Morning Crew: “Macy Gray had such passion for The Masked Singer that when she was told that she had to leave the show, she refused to leave.”
Hughes added that it took considerable time to convince the singer to remove her mask and exit the programme.
The Masked Singer sees celebrities perform musical numbers while wearing elaborate disguises, with judges and viewers tasked with deciphering contestants’ identities through their voices and cryptic clues.