James Van Der Beek Discusses His Journey on The Masked Singer While Fighting Cancer: “It Was This Great Escape”

James Van Der Beek Unmasked on The Masked Singer Season 13

Currently captivating audiences, The Masked Singer is in the midst of its thirteenth season, delivering new episodes every Wednesday on Fox. The latest episode, which aired on March 19, 2025, featured the elimination of contestant Griffin, who was unmasked in a dramatic reveal.

Revealing the Identity: James Van Der Beek

To the surprise of fans, Griffin was unveiled as none other than James Van Der Beek, known for his role on the popular series Dawson’s Creek. In an interview with People Magazine shortly after his elimination, Van Der Beek reflected on his experience on the show, sharing insights about competing while privately battling colon cancer.

“It was this great escape to be able to put on this mask and just connect with that audience and not have cancer be a part of it all,”he shared.

Rediscovering His Passion for Singing

Discussing his time on The Masked Singer, Van Der Beek expressed both excitement and nerves about returning to the stage. Despite his apprehensions, he thoroughly enjoyed the performances and the creative outlet it provided.

“I had not sung in public in a very, very long time. It was something that I used to do when I was younger,”Van Der Beek mentioned.

Although he acknowledged a lack of confidence in his singing abilities, the experience allowed him to reconnect with his early love for the art. Van Der Beek reminisced about his beginnings in theater, describing a time when he would eagerly attend multiple auditions during summers and open calls while in school, despite not landing many roles initially.

A Personal Struggle Amid Public Performance

His journey on The Masked Singer was marked by the added challenge of managing health issues related to his recent colon cancer diagnosis, which he disclosed to fans in November 2024. Keeping much of his battle private, he indicated that he is currently focusing on healing.

In a thoughtful remark, he referred to being in a “healing portal”but stated that he would share more about his health journey when it felt safe and appropriate to do so.

Looking forward, Van Der Beek shared his aspirations, including a desire to return to Broadway, calling it a “dream come true.”He also hinted at his ongoing projects, mentioning he is filming the second part of Sidelined: The QB and Me.

James Van Der Beek’s Elimination and Family Support

In the episode that revealed his identity, Van Der Beek expressed how challenging the past year had been for himself and his family. He conveyed gratitude towards his loved ones, emphasizing their support during tough times.

“They made me smile through the tough days and stayed strong when I couldn’t,” he commented, highlighting the importance of family as his “safe space”and “home.”

Viewers can relive the moment James Van Der Beek was unmasked by streaming the sixth episode of The Masked Singer season 13 on Fox.

Watch here

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