Before his recent unmasking as Paparazzo on The Masked Singer, Matthew Lawrence sang an emotional version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” He dedicated it to the legendary comedian and actor Robin Williams, who passed away in 2014. For Lawrence, the song reminded him of Williams’ desire to help others through the emotions that you can inspire them to feel. “He was always trying to help people and trying to get people through dark times, because I think he had such dark times himself. That’s what that song felt [like] for me,” he told People.
Remembering Williams’ Advice Helped Him on ‘Masked Singer’
Lawrence was just 12 years old when he starred in Mrs. Doubtfire with Robin Williams. He’s still feeling the impact of that connection today. âNot only was he the most brilliant artist, but he was just the most compassionate, humble, good human being Iâve yet to work with in this business,” the actor told Page Six.
ââDonât act in fear,’â Lawrence recalled Williams telling him. âHe would say that all the time and itâs so special.â
Even after the film wrapped, Williams stayed a strong presence in the young actor’s life. “That movie could have wrapped [and] like everybody else, he could have gone his separate way, but he didnât,” Lawrence said. “He stayed invested and he gave me some incredible life lessons that definitely kept me from some dark places at times. And Iâll just never be able to thank him enough for that.”
Lawrence Gets Candid About ‘Stage Fright Moment’ That Haunted Him: ‘I Ran Off Stage’
It was an audition in front of a packed house that instilled a fear of performing in front of people. Casting director Bernard Telsey flew Lawrence to New York for an audition. Upon arriving, he discovered that he would have a pianist accompany him instead of a pre-recorded background track.
âIt threw me off a little bit, because I didnât know exactly in the song where he was, and that turned into a stage fright moment, where I went to go sing â and my throat closed up,â he said. âThere [were] murmurs in the crowd, and I, like, ran off stage.â
When Lawrence was asked to perform on The Masked Singer, it was Williams’ words that kept repeating in his head. Remembering his advice helped him overcome the stage fright that had plagued him for most of his life.
âWhen they called to ask if Iâd be on the show, I was honored, but ⦠because of this fear, I was like, âI donât knowâ ⦠and then Iâm so glad my family pushed me, you know, to do it,â he said.
âThere was definitely an elevated moment that brought my performance better than even I was thinking I could do,â he said about performing “Hallelujah.” âI do believe there was some spiritual aspect to that.â
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