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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Spoiler: The clue most strongly pointing to Griffin’s identity was the story of a woman scraping dirt from his car and taking it home to her children. TVLine connected that anecdote to actor James Van Der Beek, but it was a persuasive clue—not confirmation. Griffin’s identity was confirmed when the contestant was unmasked on season 13 of the U.S. The Masked Singer.
Why the car-dirt story pointed to James Van Der Beek
TVLine reported that the clue recalled a story Van Der Beek had told during a 2014 Reddit AMA. The unusual detail made it a particularly distinctive match: it linked the masked contestant to a specific anecdote associated with Van Der Beek rather than relying only on broad references to his acting career.
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That connection is an interpretation reported by TVLine, not a statement from the show that viewers could treat as definitive proof before the reveal. The unmasking, rather than the clue by itself, confirmed Griffin’s identity.
Other clues TVLine associated with his screen career
TVLine also interpreted a badge as a reference to Van Der Beek’s 2001 film Texas Rangers, and a VHS tape marked with a jack-o’-lantern sticker as a nod to Scary Movie. These are reported readings of the clue package; they add context, but should not be mistaken for independently established explanations from the program.
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Why the clue package was not conclusive at the time
Season 13 coverage by TV Insider described panelists considering other possibilities, including David Arquette and Kyle Chandler. Its account mentioned references to the 1990s, VHS, a scary movie, a badge, and a high school bell. The competing guesses show why viewers could read the clues in more than one way before Griffin was revealed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Griffin’s clue actually established
The dirt-on-the-car anecdote was the strongest reported clue linking Griffin to Van Der Beek, especially when considered alongside the career-related interpretations. It made Van Der Beek a compelling inference, but the clue was not itself a reveal. The show’s official description explains the format: “With each performance, the host, panelists, audience, viewers and even the other contestants are left guessing who is singing behind the mask.”
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