Photo: Lloyd Bishop/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Michael Becker/FOX

THE MASKED SINGER, Snail, Kermit the Frog

This post contains spoilers from Wednesday’s episode ofThe Masked Singer.

It’s not easy being the first contestant kicked off ofThe Masked Singer. But Kermit the Frog took it in stride when he received the least number of votes during Wednesday’s season 5 premiere andtook off his Snail costume.

“I did hope to last longer on the show, but it just wasn’t meant to be,” Kermit told PEOPLE via email.

Michael Becker/FOX

THE MASKED SINGER, Snail

When the Men in Black removedSnail’s head, the panelists and guest hostNiecy Nashdidn’t understand why they didn’t see anyone underneath — until Kermit popped out.

“The first to go home, but the one we’ll never forget,” McCarthy, 48, said.

Jeong, 51, called Kermit “the most famous guest onThe Masked Singerever” and Thicke, 44, agreed.

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“It’s really been a pleasure,” Kermit said of his time on the show after being unmasked. “Thanks for having me!”

Below, Kermit reveals how it felt being insidethe Snail outfit, what Miss Piggy thought about him being in the spotlight, and what the COVID-19 pandemic has been like for a frog.

Why did you want to go onThe Masked Singer?I’ve been in show business for quite a while, so I’m always looking to take on a new challenge and try something different. And let’s face it, when it comes to challenging and different, you can’t beat putting on a snail suit and singing on national television.

Were you disappointed to be the first contestant eliminated on season 5?Oh, I was disappointed. However, I did set the record for “longest-lasting celebrity frog in a snail costume” in the entire history ofMasked Singer. So, I’ll always have that.

How did you keep your identity hidden from the behind-the-scenes folks on the show? Your green limbs are a bit of a giveaway.That was easy. I just stayed inside the snail the whole time. The shell was a built-in mobile home, with all the amenities — kitchen, bedroom, en suite, home theater with surround sound. Even when the show was over, I didn’t want to come out.

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Why did you pick the Snail costume? Were you ever tempted to eat the costume since some frogs eat snails?I picked a snail because snails and frogs have a lot in common; we’re both menu items at French restaurants. As for eating the costume, I wasn’t tempted. The only Muppet who eats his wardrobe is Animal.

THE MUPPETS - “Ex-Factor”- Kermit is scrambling to find the perfect birthday gift for Denise, so he turns to Miss Piggy for help. Meanwhile, Kristin Chenoweth agrees to do a gig with The Electric Mayhem and inadvertently causes a rift between the band, on “The Muppets,” TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Carol Kaelson) MISS PIGGY, KERMIT THE FROG

MISS PIGGY, KERMIT THE FROG

What other songs would you have liked to sing if you made it further in the competition and why? What was the significance of the song you performed, “You Make My Dreams (Come True)"?I had hoped to doTaylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.” It’s a fun song, and it always reminds me of when I was a tadpole trying to drop my tail. As for “You Make My Dreams (Come True),” I love songs about dreams and making them come true. In fact, I wanted to do “Rainbow Connection,” but the producers thought that might be too big a clue. They were probably right about that.

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What did you think of being guessed as Adam Sandler, Seth MacFarlane and Billy Crystal? Do you think you’re a better singer than those guys?That was great. Adam, Seth and Billy are such comedy icons, it was an honor to be mistaken for them. As for their singing, those guys are all good singers, too. I mean, who doesn’t love Adam Sandler’s “Hanukkah Song” or Bill Murray lounge singing theStar Warstheme? Hey, maybe we could get together and form a supergroup?

The Masked Singerairs Wednesdays (8 p.m. ET) on Fox.

source: people.com