Tennis queen Billie Jean King performs the song Elton John wrote for her — on ‘The Masked Singer’ Elton John Night

In the summer of ’74, an unlikely friendship was formed between Billie Jean King and Elton John. The rock superstar expressed his desire to write a song exclusively for King during a car ride to one of his concerts. The proposition left King in disbelief. Fast forward to Wednesday night’s episode of The Masked Singer, where King surprised viewers by performing the very song, “Philadelphia Freedom,” on the show’s Elton John Night. The performance was both perplexing and captivating, as King, dressed as a swashbuckling chicken known as the Royal Hen, belted out the hit.

While The Masked Singer is a lighthearted show, the story behind “Philadelphia Freedom” and the enduring friendship between Elton John and Billie Jean King is profound. Even before their initial meeting in 1973, the two admired each other’s work. Elton attended King’s World Team Tennis matches dressed in her team’s uniform, the Philadelphia Freedoms. At the time, both were not open about their sexual orientations, but they shared a passion for activism. King’s groundbreaking victory against Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” match and her advocacy for equal pay in tennis further solidified their bond.

Legend has it that “Philadelphia Freedom” was Elton’s way of reciprocating the gesture after King gifted him a customized team tracksuit. He played a rough mix of the song for King and her teammates in a locker room in 1974, and it instantly resonated with her. The song was released six months later and became a smash hit, reaching No. 1 on the charts and becoming the third-best-selling single of 1975. It not only served as a patriotic anthem but also became a significant gay anthem.

It’s truly mind-boggling to see a legendary athlete like King, who has achieved so much in her professional career, dressing up as a chicken pirate on a reality TV show. However, the love and support from the judges, who recognized her as someone important, warmed hearts. While they speculated about her identity, only Ken Jeong correctly guessed that she was the tennis legend.

In the latest episode of The Masked Singer, the competition shifted to Group B. The remaining contestants put on impressive performances, including Hawk with “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” Husky with “Bennie and the Jets,” and Tiki with “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” The judges were in awe of their talent and had their own guesses about who they might be.

Hawk’s clues hinted at a past in the family business and a love for hard rock. My guess is that Hawk could be a member of either Metro Station or the All-American Rejects. Husky’s clues alluded to his skyrocketing fame and subsequent effect on women. I initially thought it could be 50 Cent, but now I believe it might be Ginuwine. Finally, Tiki’s powerful rock performance impressed the judges, and they labeled him a legend and an icon. While their guesses varied, it’s clear that these contestants are well-known figures in the music industry.

The Masked Singer continues to captivate viewers with its mix of surprises and entertainment. The forthcoming episodes promise even more exciting performances and intriguing reveals.

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Jessica Roberts

Jessica Roberts serves up the latest in the world of tennis. With a love for the racket sport, she reports on tennis matches, player rankings, and Grand Slam events, ensuring readers stay informed about the tennis world.