Opinion
The former “Dukes Of Hazzard” star John Schneider finished in second place to the R&B singer NE-YO on the season finale of “The Masked Singer” on Wednesday night. Afterwards, Schneider praised the show for helping him through the “worst year” of his life after he lost his wife Alicia Allain to breast cancer back in February when she was only 53 years-old.
Schneider Loved His Time On ‘The Masked Singer’
“What an amazing opportunity to be able to honor Alicia, to be able to honor people who are grieving, maybe educate people who are grieving a little bit, in front of millions of people,” Schneider, 63, told People Magazine. “I’m a pretty strong guy but I’m also a very emotional guy.”
“Being out there on that stage dressed like a donut, singing some of the greatest songs ever written and having people respond to the songs and the performance with no notion that it was me, really, really helped John Schneider.” he continued. “It really helped me get through the worst year of my life. So I’m delighted to have done it.”
Related: ‘Dukes Of Hazzard’ Star John Schneider Prepares For First Christmas Since His Wife Passed Away
Allain Wanted Schneider To Compete On ‘The Masked Singer’
Schneider went on to explain that Allain had always wanted him to compete on “The Masked Singer.”
“She would always say, ‘You’ve got to do The Masked Singer,’” he recalled. “I fully expected one day for Alicia to be there to help … so when that opportunity came, I just had to kind of look toward heaven and kind of laugh because, of course, she still runs things but further away.”
Schneider is happy that him being open about his grief while competing on “The Masked Singer” helped others who are currently in a similar situation.
“It was a great opportunity to be able to to entertain, yes, and to have fun, yes, but also to grieve and let people know that it’s okay,” he explained. “Grieving is something you’ve got to do. And I liked that the the Donut grieving actually is helping people who are on the same road. It’s not a job I ever wanted. It’s nothing I ever really wanted to understand. But it is the hand that I’ve been dealt. And I’m doing to make the very best of it, in honor of my beautiful wife.”
Related: ‘Dukes Of Hazzard’ Star John Schneider Thanks His Fans In ‘Letter To Heaven’ Months After His Wife’s Death
‘Masked Singer’ Was ‘Greatest Experience’ For Schneider
In the end, Schneider has no regrets about his time on “The Masked Singer,” and he appears to see the show as a highlight of his decades-long career.
“It really helped me get through the worst year of my life,” Schneider said. “So I’m delighted to have done it. I’m honored to have done it. I’m so impressed with the way they do this show. I’ve sung on stage a lot. I’ve done Broadway and concerts.”
“I mean, for crying out loud, I’ve done it for 40 years but I’ve never, never experienced a group of people who do what they do with such excellence,” he concluded. “From beginning to end, it was the greatest experience I’ve had doing music on television.”
Schneider has been open about just how difficult it has been for him to lose the love of his life earlier this year. We’re so glad that he was able to have such a good time on “The Masked Singer,” and please join us in saying a prayer for him as he prepares to celebrate his first Christmas without his beloved wife!
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