News | Entertainment
29 Apr 2025 20:12
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    James Van Der Beek says 'The Masked Singer' was "a great escape" from his cancer diagnosis

    The 48-year-old star revealed last year he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and earlier this week he was unmasked as Griffin on the Fox singing competition


    James has now admitted he "felt pretty good" while filming the show, and he enjoyed not having "cancer be a part of it all" while he was wearing a mask and singing to the audience.

    He told PEOPLE: "I felt pretty good.

    "There were some things we had to look out for, and I told my dressers.

    "But what was cool is, the audience didn't know. So as much as I was dealing with whatever I was dealing with in my trailer and with the world, 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 at all."

    The 'Dawson's Creek' star is currently in a "healing portal" amid his cancer battle.

    He added: "Right now I'm in a healing portal, so once I feel like it's responsible and safe to really give any more details to that I will."

    Following his 'Masked Singer' appearance, James is now dreaming of singing on Broadway.

    He said: "I had not sung in public in a very, very long time.

    "It was something that I used to do when I was younger, but it was also something I didn't have a ton of confidence in."

    "I would love to do Broadway. It would be a dream come true!"

    Earlier this month, dad-of-six James spoke about the "hardest year of [his] life" following his cancer diagnosis.

    He said on Instagram: "I had to come nose to nose with death. And all those definitions that I cared so deeply about were stripped from me.

    "I could no longer be a husband who was helpful to my wife. I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them. I could not be a provider because I wasn't working. I couldn't even be a steward of the land because at times I was too weak to prune all the trees during the window that you're supposed to prune them."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     28 Apr: What we know about the deadly 'car ramming attack' in Vancouver
     28 Apr: At least 11 dead after car drives into crowd in Vancouver
     26 Apr: Camille Razat has "made the decision to step away" from 'Emily in Paris'
     26 Apr: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is "the happiest [she's] ever been"
     26 Apr: Martha Stewart thinks Glen Powell is "very handsome"
     26 Apr: Katie Maloney thinks the 'Vanderpump Rules' reboot "feels cheap"
     26 Apr: Emma Chamberlain had a "very complicated relationship with YouTube for a long time"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Les Kiss is expected to finally be confirmed as the next Wallabies coach tomorrow morning More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Finance Minister's confident enough money's left in the kete - for the things we need More...



     Today's News

    International:
    Mark Carney declares victory in Canada election, securing fourth term for Liberals 18:57

    Business:
    The Finance Minister's confident enough money's left in the kete - for the things we need 18:57

    Boxing:
    A body blow to boxing fans expecting a Joseph Parker-Anthony Joshua rematch 18:37

    International:
    Minor parties clash as Clive Palmer and Pauline Hanson battle for right-wing voters in federal election 18:17

    Rugby League:
    The Warriors have named an unchanged lineup to face the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL's Magic Round in Brisbane on Saturday 18:07

    International:
    Donald Trump isn't on the ballot in Canada's election but he's influencing the vote 17:47

    International:
    The CSI squad closing a dark chapter in Colombia's history 17:37

    Law and Order:
    A slain woman's sister and the murderer's probation officer have addressed a Coroner's court today 17:27

    Business:
    Fonterra's announced it's planning to shut a Hamilton milk-powder packaging facility after July, with up to 120 jobs on the line 16:57

    Environment:
    A thunderstorm warning's been issued for Kaipara, the Far North and Whangarei, until 5.30 16:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd