Sarah Palin’s case against the New York Times is heading to a jury, and the politician has one request: she doesn’t want the jury to see her March 2020 appearance on The Masked Singer. Sarah’s trial revolves around an article published by the New York City-based newspaper in 2017, which linked one of her political committee ads to a 2011 mass shooting that injured former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. At first, U.S. District Court Judge Jed Rakoff dismissed Sarah’s complaint, believing the journalist was simply expressing freedom of the press. However, Judge Rakoff was pushed to form a new conclusion in which he decided to go through with the trial.
Sarah appeared on The Masked Singer season 4 as the Bear. Her bear costume resembled cotton candy with light pink and blue fur with matching furry leg warmers. The former vice presidential candidate competed in Group C and was sent home the same night as her first performance, making her the first contestant from Group C to be eliminated. Sarah performed Sir-Mix-a-Lot’s 1992 hit “Baby Got Back,” and while none of the show’s panelists guessed correctly, Robin Thicke got shockingly close when he guessed actress Tina Fey. The former Saturday Night Live star portrayed Sarah on the sketch comedy show during the 2008 presidential campaign due to their similar appearance.
No one could’ve guessed that the former governor of Alaska would find her harmless appearance on the show threatening to a legal case. However, the New York Post reports that Sarah does not want the jury on her case to see the footage from her time on The Masked Singer. In a court filing, Sarah listed several proposed exhibits that she wants to be prohibited from the jury–and her appearance on the singing competition show made the cut. The politician wants the listed exhibits hidden because they may cause “unfair prejudice and confusion.” Both “Masked Singer Video – Dancing and Rapping” and “Masked Singer Video – Reveal” were listed by the former governor.
During her appearance on the show, Sarah had panelists and audience members cheering and dancing for her performance. Her clue package was packed with hints of Alaska, SNL and her political background; however, the panelists were still stumped and could not figure out who was in the bear costume. When Sarah was revealed, the panelists were shocked, and host Nick Cannon emphasized in excitement that the politician knew every word to the 1992 rap hit. Sarah has not offered an explanation of how the clips from the show may impact her trial.
While Sarah’s reveal on the singing competition show surely left some fans confused, as they never expected a politician to be singing and dancing in a furry bear costume, it’s unclear how the footage could affect her trial. Perhaps she fears the jury will not take her seriously upon seeing her rap the 1992 classic dressed as a furry bear. However, The Masked Singer prides itself on its family-friendly carefree nature, and there’s no harm in starring on the show no matter what your career is. Though the politician seemed to be enjoying herself during her performance, perhaps she’s rethinking her time as the Bear and her memorable “Baby Got Back” performance.
