Masked Singer’s Ship Reflects on Her “Bizarre” Time with Dawson’s Creek Cast and the Competition’s Challenges

Masked Singer’s Ship Reflects on Her “Bizarre” Time with Dawson’s Creek Cast and the Competition’s Challenges

Grammy-winning artist Paula Cole discusses her unexpected journey on The Masked Singer, expressing her mixed feelings about the competition and reminiscing about her time with the Dawson’s Creek cast.

Note: This article contains spoilers for season 12, episode 3 of The Masked Singer, titled “Soundtrack of My Life Night.”

On Wednesday’s “Soundtrack of My Life Night,” the remaining contestants took the stage to perform songs that held personal significance to them. Ship delivered a powerful rendition of “Because the Night” by the Patti Smith Group, while other contestants included Woodpecker with “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae and Buffalo with “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve. As a special treat, host Nick Cannon announced the return of the Ding Dong Keep It On bell, which can only be used once during the group finals.

As it was the Group A finals, two contestants had to be eliminated. Unfortunately, Woodpecker, revealed to be Black-ish star Marsai Martin, was the first to go, surprising the panel who failed to guess her identity. This led Ship and Buffalo into the season’s inaugural Battle Royale, where they both performed “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac. In a surprising twist, the panel decided to hold off on using the Ding Dong Keep It On bell and sent Ship home instead. Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg was the only panelist to correctly identify Ship as Paula Cole, with other guesses including Sarah McLachlan (Rita Ora), Alanis Morissette (Ken Jeong), and Amy Lee (Robin Thicke).

In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, Cole reminisces about her memorable time with the Dawson’s Creek cast, reflects on the lasting impact of her hit song “I Don’t Want to Wait,” and shares her thoughts on the music industry.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: I have to say, I’m surprised to be speaking with you right now. I thought you were a strong contender to win!

PAULA COLE: Thank you for your support! Winning isn’t everything for me. I’m here for the love of music and the fun of it all. I enjoyed the experience, embracing my alter ego as Ship. It was fascinating to see the behind-the-scenes of a TV show and share joy with my family while they watched.

You mentioned being an introvert and feeling stressed during the competition. Did you find a sense of calm as you progressed?

Definitely. The television set is more intimate than it appears. I formed great connections with my crew, which made me feel supported. While I was sad to leave, I found the competitive aspect of the Battle Royale difficult. I believe music should unify people, not create rivalry, so I wasn’t a fan of that format. However, I’m relieved to go home as I have other projects to focus on, though it was a lot of fun.

Reflecting on your hit “I Don’t Want to Wait,” it played at the Emmys this year when Joshua Jackson made a humorous reference to it. Have you spoken to the Dawson’s Creek cast about how the song has impacted their careers?

I haven’t spoken to the cast in years, as we’ve all moved on in our own ways. It was surreal when we did some promotional work together back then, like watching the Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield fight with Michelle Williams and James Van Der Beek. James was always kind and supportive of my music. I don’t think any of us anticipated how monumental the show would become. The song has become a timeless anthem for many, holding sentimental value across generations, and I feel lucky to be part of that legacy.

You re-recorded “I Don’t Want to Wait” to own the masters of your song, similar to what Taylor Swift has done. Can you tell us about that?

Yes! I re-recorded “I Don’t Want to Wait” and “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” around 2015-2016 to regain control over my music. The industry can be cutthroat, and I wanted to ensure my songs were used appropriately. It’s important to take charge of your work as much as possible.

What’s next for you? What should fans expect after your time on The Masked Singer?

I’ve been touring for my new album, Lo, and it’s been a fantastic experience. Returning to Europe after 25 years was especially rewarding. I’m winding down my tour now, but I plan to announce more dates for 2025 soon. I’ll also be spending the next five months focused on writing, as I consider myself a writer before a singer. I’m working on a new musical, but it’s still in the early stages. I may release a song or two, but primarily, I’m excited to delve back into my writing process. Fans can follow my journey on my social media and website, where I’ll keep them updated!

Catch new episodes of The Masked Singer every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.

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