Heidi Montag’s Emotional Journey: Behind the Tears Before Her Final ‘Masked Singer’ Performance

Heidi Montag, known for her notable presence in reality television, harbored a long-standing aspiration to participate in the entertainment spectacle, The Masked Singer. Unfortunately, this dream was cut short due to an injury that forced her premature exit from the competition.

Speaking exclusively to Us Weekly ahead of her elimination aired on Wednesday, February 25, the 39-year-old shared, “I was unable to speak. I suffered a hemorrhage on my vocal cord during the show. The helmet was incredibly heavy, causing me to strain my neck while lifting it. This, coupled with intense singing, led to the hemorrhage.”

By the time the Spice Girls-themed episode rolled around, the former star of The Hills found herself barely able to whisper at home, having whispered for two consecutive weeks.

Reflecting on the experience, Montag explained, “I couldn’t even converse with my children at home. It was incredibly intense off camera, and I was desperately trying to preserve my voice. I was in tears both before and after my performance because I had yearned for this moment for so long. To be pulled from the show due to a vocal injury felt devastating. It felt as if the opportunity I had waited for had been snatched away. This feeling was amplified by everything I’ve endured.”

The show, known for its mystery and surprise, has seen a diverse array of celebrities donning elaborate costumes. Since its launch in January 2019, the masked stage has been graced by stars like Joey Fatone, Michelle Williams, Tori Spelling, Mickey Rourke, Patti LaBelle, Kelly Osbourne, Bret Michaels, Lil Wayne, Jordyn Woods, and Wendy Williams, among others, each adding to the excitement and enigma that keeps audiences guessing.

As Snow Cone, Montag was open about everything she and her husband, Spencer Pratt, have experienced since losing their home last January in the Pacific Palisades fire. In Wednesday’s clue package, she said she realized that “nothing good or bad lasts forever,” but their love will be their “legacy.”

While Pratt, 42, didn’t sing on the show, he did support his wife as Mr. Snow Cone, who silently appeared on stage and in her clue packages. They even reconnected with a producer who worked with them during their original run on The Hills, which made the experience “really fun” for the couple.

“It’s really rare to be part of a show that’s so positive and inspiring,” Montag added. “Usually, my experience from reality TV is they’re out to get you and to exploit you, all these different things. .. It was just a really great experience for me and Spencer to be able to do. It was our first really positive show we’ve done together, and in light of everything that we had just been through, it was a really big blessing for us.”

It was also a blessing for their sons — Gunner, 8, and Ryker, 3 — who are big fans of the show.

Look back on all the drama as the last show ever airs tonight

“Every time I go to L.A. now, they’re like, ‘Are you going to be Snow Cone? Are you going to your job at Snow Cone?’” Montag said with a laugh. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. The kids have never been more excited about anything. It has taken a life of its own in our house. And they love Mr. Snow Cone. They’re obsessed. I’m like, ‘Hello, Mrs. Snow Cone is singing! Mr. Snow Cone is just standing there.’ But they love the whole dynamic.”

While Montag wishes she got to stay on The Masked Singer a bit longer, she was absolutely thrilled to participate in Spice Girls Night (as any millennial woman would be).

“It was the first concert I ever went to. I was 12 years old,” she recalled. “Spice World is everything. I think I’ve seen that movie 1 million times on [VHS] … so I don’t think there could be a bigger Spice Girls fan. Growing up, I loved Baby Spice. She was my favorite. And as an adult, I think it’s Posh. I love Victoria Beckham so much.”

As a singer herself, Montag knows her way around a good pop song — and she promises that her new album will delight fans who are craving more after the release of last year’s Heidiwood.

“I’m really excited about this album,” she told Us of her next LP, titled Masterpiece. “It’s my best album I think I’ve ever done. It is less hyperpop. This is a little more classic, quintessential pop — early 2000s girly pop mixed with a modern twist. I think this will be a great staple for a lot of people. Definitely put it on your workout playlist.”

It’s been nearly two decades since Spencer Pratt was introduced to (or unleashed on) the world, as Brody Jenner’s best friend via Fox’s short-lived Princes of Malibu, a reality show that L.A. native Pratt had developed and sold in his early 20s. Two years later, in 2007, Pratt and Jenner infiltrated season 2 of MTV’s […]

In the meantime, Montag is just grateful for what she and Pratt still have after losing everything last year. (Pratt announced his campaign for mayor of Los Angeles last month.)

“We still have a lot of challenges that we’re facing,” Montag explained. “It just puts everything in perspective. We could just die tomorrow, or anything could happen, or things that you think you’re planning for the future … like, let’s not plan too far in advance. That’s a big theme in our house now. We’re like, ‘Great, that’s a good outline, but let’s not commit to that, because we don’t know what the future is or where we’ll be.’ It’s definitely been a lot of moving parts, and we’ll continue to just take it day by day.”

The Masked Singer airs on Fox Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET.