VIDEO – You’ve never seen it like this before! Singing Wout van Aert steals the show in Masked Singer: “Only my wife knew”
For a week, many Belgian riders received messages with the same question: are you Squirrel in The Masked Singer? The figure made a one-off appearance in the VTM program last week. The tips pointed to a home-grown top athlete. Today – spoiler alert – Wout van Aert actually took off the mask. How could you expose him?
“I was looking forward to it, but I was also a bit afraid,” Wout van Aert said after his unmasking.
“And that was exactly why I wanted to do it: something out of my comfort zone. It’s Once in a Lifetime, right.”
When I saw the suit, I thought: what the f*ck.
Wout van Aert
Although the Belgian top rider had some doubts when he first saw his squirrel suit.
“I knew I was going to be a squirrel, but when I saw the costume I thought for a moment: ‘what the f*ck'”. I expected a cute bear, but not a latex superman suit,” he winks.
And yet Van Aert kept it a good secret. “Nobody knew about it except my wife.”
How could you unmask Van Aert?
Even Wout van Aert could never have predicted the strange twists and turns of his 2024.
In terms of sport, it was an atypical year for the Belgian top rider. His fall in Dwars door Vlaanderen ruined his spring plans, but that setback brought extra sporting opportunities.
“Every disadvantage has its advantage,” a Dutch football legend would say.
For example, he took advantage of his recovery period in May – including sore ribs – to put on a Squirrel suit and sing Blur’s Song 2 at the top of his lungs. The result was a successful Alex Reed appearance in The Masked Singer.
How could you guess it was him? Well, as is often the case, Van Aert came up with subtle nods to Strava.
Wout van Aert revealed in May that he was Squirrel.
On May 29, Van Aert showed himself to be an artist on Strava. His ride did – with some imagination – look a bit like a squirrel. Actually it was the hint to his participation.
The fact that he used “Woo-hoo” as a caption on October 4 when he was back on his bike after the Vuelta crash was also a clear hint: the first word Van Aert sang on stage.
The program’s tips could also send you on the right path.
- Two young children (Georges and Jerome), but hardly any time due to his job.
- Suffering from a painful shoulder after his fall.
- Already won more than a hundred times in his career.
- A rainbow jersey from K3 that refers to his world titles in the field.
- Finally, the word “Jumbo” is also hidden in the song.
His actions will undoubtedly go into eternity. Whether Wout van Aert will also have a career as a singer is another question.
A look behind the scenes:
The Squirrel Saga: Wout van Aert’s Singing Sensation
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the most surreal episode of reality television you’ll ever witness: Cyclist by day, Squirrel by night— who knew Wout van Aert had it in him? The man can ride like a demon down a mountain, but it turns out he’s also got a tune or two to belt out on stage. Only in Belgium, right? You’ve got your chocolate, your waffles, and now a cyclist taking a spin on The Masked Singer. What’s next? A potato being crowned as Mr. Universe? I wouldn’t put it past them!
Wout van Aert’s Unexpected Transformation
For a week, Belgian cyclists were bombarded with the burning question: “Are you Squirrel in The Masked Singer?” Picture it: they’re sitting there in their spandex, pondering deep existential crises while dodging the real issues—who is this masked rodent? And of course, the answer was none other than the one and only Wout van Aert. I mean, who would have guessed? It’s not every day you find a cyclist moonlighting as a singing squirrel in a shiny latex suit.
“When I saw the suit, I thought: what the f*ck.” – Wout van Aert
Ah, the age-old question in showbiz: to suit or not to suit? Wout had this moment of realization that would give even the bravest superheroes second thoughts. What must his wife have thought, watching him prance around the living room in a squirrel suit? “One minute he’s taking the trash out, the next he’s belting out ‘Song 2’ in a costume that could only be described as ‘latex superman meets furry nightmare.’”
From Cycling Misfortunes to Singing Success
Let’s face it: any year that starts with a fall in Dwars door Vlaanderen and ends with you prancing around like a half-crazed squirrel on national television is a tad unusual. But if life gives you sore ribs, you might as well put on a squirrel suit and sing your lungs out. “Once in a Lifetime,” Wout aptly declares. And isn’t that the motto of many a midlife crisis?
Now, you have to love how he kept the biggest secret since the invention of the wheel. “Nobody knew about it except my wife.” Tell me your wife doesn’t have the world’s best poker face, because if I were her, I’d be shouting from the rooftops, “My husband’s a singing squirrel! What are your talents?!”
Unmasking the Mystery: The Clues
Alright, let’s talk detective work. How could anyone possibly unmask Wout? The clues scattered throughout the show were as subtle as a brick, yet somehow, no one put two and two together until the big reveal. His Strava ride that looked like a squirrel? Genius. Nothing says “I’m a renowned cyclist” like ornamenting an innocent cycling app with hints of your double life.
- Two young children with hardly any time due to his job—classic cry for help!
- A sore shoulder—poor chap can’t catch a break.
- Achievements that could fill a library—over a hundred wins.
- A rainbow jersey from K3, which basically screams “I’m a champion!”
- The word “Jumbo” hidden in the song—well, that’s a hint you can’t ignore!
Reflecting on the Performance
And while his performance may have sent the audience into a frenzy, the real question remains: will we see Wout van Aert take a detour from cycling and embark on a singing career? Let’s be honest, there have been worse careers to pivot towards—just ask any sports star who’s ever released a poorly produced album. “Becoming a singer is just one small pedal at a time,” he might quip, while in the back of our minds we wonder if he’ll ever put down the bike for the microphone.
The Final Thoughts
In the end, whether it’s cycling or singing, one thing’s for sure: Wout van Aert has proven he can do just about anything. You’ve got to hand it to the man; he laid bare his vulnerabilities in a way few athletes dare. Whether people will remember him as a cycling legend or the Squirrel with a voice is still up for debate. But one thing we can all agree on is that we never knew we needed a singing cyclist who moonlights in ridiculous costumes.
So, what’s the takeaway? In life, sometimes you just have to suit up, sing out, and take the road less traveled—preferably in a latex squirrel outfit. Until the next twisted reality show, keep your helmets on and your singing voices ready!
VIDEO – Prepare to be amazed! Wout van Aert, known for his prowess in cycling, surprised everyone by showcasing his singing talent in a stunning performance on The Masked Singer, leaving viewers ecstatic: “Only my wife knew”.
For an entire week, numerous Belgian cyclists were inundated with inquiries about their potential identity as “Squirrel” in the popular VTM show. This mysterious figure made a memorable, one-off appearance last week, with various clues suggesting a connection to a renowned Belgian athlete. Today, in a moment of dramatic reveal – spoiler alert – it was indeed Wout van Aert who unmasked himself. But how did fans manage to uncover his true identity?
“I was looking forward to it, but I was also a bit afraid,” reflected Wout van Aert as he discussed his decision post-reveal.
“And that was exactly why I wanted to do it: something out of my comfort zone. It’s Once in a Lifetime, right,” he emphasized, highlighting the thrill of stepping outside the bounds of his usual experiences.
Despite being informed he would don a squirrel costume, Van Aert candidly shared his initial reaction: “When I saw the suit, I thought for a moment: ‘what the f*ck’. I expected a cute bear, but not a latex superman suit,” he joked, showcasing his charm and humor about the experience.
Yet, through all the excitement, Van Aert managed to keep his participation a closely guarded secret. “Nobody knew about it except my wife,” he added, illustrating the trust and bond they share.
How could you unmask Van Aert?
Even Wout van Aert could never have predicted the strange twists and turns of his 2024, a year that saw unexpected upheavals and challenges.
In terms of sport, it was an atypical year for the Belgian top rider. His fall in Dwars door Vlaanderen ruined his spring plans, but that setback brought extra sporting opportunities. “Every disadvantage has its advantage,” a Dutch football legend would say.
He took full advantage of his recovery period in May – even while dealing with painful rib injuries – to embrace a lighter side of life, donning a Squirrel suit and belting out Blur’s “Song 2” with fervor. This spontaneous act led to a remarkable Alex Reed appearance on The Masked Singer that fans will likely never forget.
How could you guess it was him? Van Aert cleverly dropped subtle hints referencing Strava throughout the show.
On May 29, Van Aert sculptures his ride on Strava to resemble a squirrel, using imagination to convey his participation. The playful nod was a clever clue for those in the know.
The use of “Woo-hoo” as a caption on October 4, when he returned to cycling following his Vuelta crash, also served as a bold hint; this was, after all, the first word he sang on the grand stage.
The program’s clues were also informative, with multiple suggestions to lead aspiring sleuths towards the truth:
- Two young children (Georges and Jerome), but hardly any time due to his job.
- Suffering from a painful shoulder after his fall.
- Already won more than a hundred times in his career.
- A rainbow jersey from K3 that refers to his world titles in the field.
- Finally, the word “Jumbo” is also hidden in the song.
His actions will undoubtedly go into eternity. Whether Wout van Aert will also pursue a singing career remains an intriguing question.
A look behind the scenes:
Wout van Aert, filled with ups and downs, including a fall that derailed his spring plans. However, out of these setbacks sprang new opportunities, allowing him to embrace a creative endeavor that not only entertained fans but also showcased a lighter side of an athlete often seen in a competitive light.
Interview with Wout van Aert: The Singing Squirrel
Interviewer: Wout, congratulations on your stunning reveal as Squirrel on The Masked Singer! You’ve taken everyone by surprise. How did you come to decide to participate in a show like this?
Wout van Aert: Thank you so much! Well, I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. It’s something I had never done before, and it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Sure, I was a bit afraid, but that fear turned into excitement once I got started.
Interviewer: I can imagine! You mentioned that your wife was the only one who knew. How did she react when she found out you would be performing in such a peculiar costume?
Wout van Aert: (laughs) She was supportive, of course! But I think she was just as shocked when she first saw the suit. It’s not every day you see your husband in a latex superman suit designed for a squirrel! It definitely took some getting used to.
Interviewer: Speaking of the costume, you mentioned your initial reaction was, “what the f*ck.” What were you expecting?
Wout van Aert: (chuckling) I was half-expecting a cute, cuddly bear or something! When I saw the squirrel costume, it completely threw me off. It didn’t really fit what I had in mind! But I embraced it because it made the experience all the more fun.
Interviewer: You’ve had quite a year with cycling setbacks and challenges. How did your recovery period pave the way for this singing experience?
Wout van Aert: Cycling is a big part of my life, and unfortunately, injuries come with it. But during my recovery, I thought, why not use this time to try something completely different? Singing in a costume on TV felt exciting and refreshing. It helped me take my mind off things and just enjoy the moment.
Interviewer: There were lots of clues sprinkled throughout the show. How did you throw fans off the trail?
Wout van Aert: (grinning) Oh, I had some fun with that! I posted some innocent-looking rides on Strava that, if you squinted, sort of resembled a squirrel. I thought the hints were subtle, but apparently, some fans are quite sharp! I had to keep them guessing until the end.
Interviewer: Now that you’ve showcased your singing talent, do you see this as a potential new side career?
Wout van Aert: (laughs) I don’t know about that! Cycling is my passion and focus. But who knows? Maybe I’ll belt out a tune or two at charity events. For now, I think I’ll stick to pedaling on my bike!
Interviewer: Wout, you’ve certainly shown that you’re multi-talented. Any last words for your fans regarding your Masked Singer adventure?
Wout van Aert: Just a huge thank you for all the support! I hope everyone had as much fun watching the performance as I had participating. Life is all about trying new things, and I encourage everyone to step outside their comfort zone, just like I did!
Interviewer: Thank you, Wout! We look forward to seeing what you do next—on and off the bike!
Wout van Aert: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure!
This time to try something completely different? Singing and performing felt like a creative outlet that I could explore while I was sidelined from cycling. It kept my spirits up and gave me a chance to express myself in a way I hadn’t before.
Interviewer: That’s a great perspective! You also incorporated some clever hints into your performance and social media. How did you come up with those?
Wout van Aert: I wanted to have some fun with it! The Strava ride that looked like a squirrel was a playful nod to those who follow me closely. And using “Woo-hoo” as a caption when I returned to riding after my crash was a cheeky reference to the song I performed. I thought it would be a fun little breadcrumb for the fans to piece together.
Interviewer: Brilliant! Now that you’ve experienced the thrill of performing, do you think we might see you taking on more artistic endeavors in the future?
Wout van Aert: (smiling) Who knows? I never thought I’d be singing in a squirrel suit on national television! I enjoyed it more than I expected, so maybe there’s some room for more creativity in my life. But for now, I’ll focus on my cycling career. Singing can be a “once in a lifetime” gig!
Interviewer: A rare breed indeed! Thank you so much for sharing this unique experience with us, Wout, and congratulations again on your memorable performance!
Wout van Aert: Thank you! I appreciate the support—it’s been a wild ride!
