The Masked Singer is a popular reality show that is about to launch its 11th season. The show features a unique concept where costumed mascots compete against each other in a singing competition. However, the catch is that the mascots are actually celebrities, and the judges have to guess their identity until they’re eliminated. The panel of judges – Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Nicole Scherzinger – has to speculate the identity of the celebrities, but they often get it wrong. The show has an exciting format where the audience chants “Take it off!” to reveal the celebrity behind the mask.
The show’s mascots have cute monikers like “Llama,” “Thingamajig,” and “Sir Bug a Boo.” The celebrities who have participated on the show come from various fields like professional athletes, influencers, washed-up sitcom stars, and occasionally some of the finest performers America has ever known. The regular panel of judges has a varied pool of talent between them, but they wouldn’t make good detectives. Despite their efforts to guess the identity of the celebrities, they often remain clueless until the very end.
The show’s perfectly structured hook has propelled it to great heights of success. Dressing up a celebrity in costume, making them sing covers, and then gradually removing layers of heavy, stifling costume is undeniably winning. The judges’ reactions to the celebrity unmasking are priceless, regardless of whether it is “Empress of Soul” Gladys Knight or Twitch streamer Ninja. To date, the show has unmasked 168 celebrities, and we’ve compiled a list of the 25 most surprising, outrageous, and iconic Masked Singer reveals.
25. Elephant is Tony Hawk
Skateboarding icon and internet sensation Tony Hawk appeared on four episodes of a popular show, dressed in a costume of a gaming computer mouse and an elephant before he was eliminated. Unfortunately, his off-key performance of “Friday I’m in Love” didn’t help his cause. His video “package” provided clues about his extensive experience in extreme sports, leading the judges to make a variety of guesses about his identity. Judge Jeong even thought he was Beto O’Rourke, which is the kind of clever detective work you’d expect from someone earning almost $2 million per season.
24. Dragon is Busta Rhymes
Contestants who are eliminated in the first episode, like Busta Rhymes in Season Four, are usually the more popular and exciting bookings of the season. This helps to attract both new and old viewers to the show, and it also means that high-profile celebrities do not have to participate for an extended period of time. Busta Rhymes wore an intricate dragon mask that was a reference to his popular album “Year of the Dragon”. While his reveal was not particularly impressive, it did highlight how much of the show relies on famous individuals reminding each other of their fame.
23. Jester is Johnny Rotten
During season six of a reality competition show, a contestant named The Jester played the role of an impish harlequin and surprised the panel by singing Alice Cooper and the Soggy Bottom Boys. However, he later revealed himself to be John Lyndon, the front man of the Sex Pistols. It’s interesting to note that a punk rock icon like Lyndon participated in a plastic reality competition show, but he brought a lot of energy to the stage and captivated the audience with his performance. He revealed that his motive behind performing was to entertain his wife, who suffers from dementia. This performance took place in 2021, after Lyndon’s controversial remarks about Islamophobia but before he expressed his newfound appreciation for the queen.
22. Banana Split is David Foster and Katharine McPhee
It seems logical that many songs from The Greatest Showman have been covered on the various franchises of The Masked Singer. The songs flirt with genuine ballads but ultimately submit to pure pop, with their composition and lyrics lacking any real substance. The songs fit perfectly with the ultra-safe and positive mold that The Masked Singer uses for all its famous stars. The rendition of “A Million Dreams” by this May-December couple still summarizes the charming, yet inherently shallow nature of the entire project. I mean, they’re dressed as a sundae for heaven’s sake.
21. Scarecrow is Linda Blair
The Mesopotamian demon Pazuzu would have been an obvious choice for Linda Blair if she participated in The Masked Singer, but it would have been too traumatic for family audiences. Scarecrow gave a decent performance of “Abracadabra,” but then self-eliminated herself due to not being keen on such demonic pageantry. Despite Cannon’s best efforts to strike up a conversation with her, Blair remained mute and just scurried over the stage. Thicke’s repeated exclamation of “Oh my God. Wow.” is precisely what he said when he watched The Exorcist.
20. Squiggly Monster is Bob Saget
Bob Saget, who was a great comedian, made it to the second-to-last episode of the show “The Masked Singer” as Squiggly Monster. Unfortunately, he was eliminated before the final round. However, Saget surprised the audience with his skillful singing and great song choices, including songs from Creedence Clearwater Revival and Rolling Stones. He also had a lot of energy and a very relaxed stage presence. This was big news for fans of both dirty stand-up comedy and singing competitions, and it was an opportunity to see Saget in a new light in the last years of his life.
19. Llama is Drew Carey
Drew Carey, the host of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” also appeared on “The Masked Singer” wearing the hindquarters of a camelid. He sang songs by Ricky Martin and Tom Jones before his llama head was removed, to the delight of guest host Jason Biggs. The judges were impressed with his performance, with Nicole Scherzinger exclaiming “I can’t! He’s got four legs!” After being unmasked, Drew expressed his enjoyment of the experience, but also mentioned that he was glad it was only for two episodes. It seems like he had other commitments to attend to, such as buying lunch for his union members.
18. Mother Nature is Vivica A. Fox
“It’s quite amusing to perform Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” in a show where you have to conceal your identity for most of your screen time. Vivica A. Fox, the star of Kill Bill, had a great time as Mother Nature, despite the limited visibility provided by her costume and the overly intricate choreography. Fox was full of energy, and she couldn’t stop dancing in her ethereal outfit. The panel was disappointed to see her eliminated. She even jokingly asked Jeong, “Are you ready to call me mommy?” I wish she hadn’t said that.”
17. California Roll is Pentatonix
The Masked Singer has experimented with multiple performers in a costume on several occasions. For instance, the Snow Owls were revealed to be Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black, and the Beach Ball was Honey Boo Boo and Mama June. However, some costumes have had more than two celebrities, such as the Russian Dolls in Season five, which turned out to be all three members of Hanson. In Season eight, the Mummies were Mike Lookinland, Barry Williams, and Christopher Knight of Brady Bunch fame. The highest number of people in a single costumed persona was five, which was achieved in Season nine with California Roll, who turned out to be a cappella group Pentatonix. Nonetheless, the show can always aim higher, so let’s see if they can pull off 11 celebrities in a single costume for Season 11.
16. Beetle is Jerry Springer
Throughout his life, he had always been under the public’s watchful eye. The man who revolutionized television was recognized in a unique manner on The Masked Singer. He appeared as an odd, nameless, and cartoonish object that had to give a performance to win the audience’s approval. Jerry Springer dressed up in a beetle costume paired with a lawyerly suit and, to his credit, sang Sinatra’s songs fairly well. The judges, audience, and Muppets chanted the famous “Jerry! Jerry!” multiple times, having exhausted that week’s ration of “Wow!” and “You’re an icon!”
15. Robopine is Tyrese Gibson
Tyrese Gibson took his role in the Masked Singer competition very seriously. He dressed up as a cyborg porcupine and used his clue packages to praise public workers, express his desire for award recognition, and pay tribute to his late co-star Paul Walker. He then sang heartfelt renditions of songs such as John Legend’s “All of Me” and Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly”, which moved judge Nicole Scherzinger to tears. It’s not that we doubt the sincerity of his emotions, but rather that we’re not sure how to evaluate them in the context of a show like Masked Singer. Nevertheless, we commend Tyrese, aka Robopine, for his passionate performances.
14. Fox is Wayne Brady
Wayne Brady, the Emmy-winning comedian, won the second season of The Masked Singer. He disguised himself as a steampunk-esque fox for 13 episodes before winning the “Golden Mask” trophy. The panel had already crowned the winner, Fox, by the time Brady took off his mask. Half of the panel had already guessed that the multi-talented Wayne Brady was the only one who could have pulled off such a niche feat. It must have been a bit intimidating for Scherzinger when a dead-eyed and well-dressed fox told her, “You know who I am.”
13. Wolf is Michael Bolton
Michael Bolton, a well-known American singer, participated in an anonymous singing competition wearing a silvery wolf mask and a luscious cape, giving the impression of a dashing anime villain. Though he has a recognizable voice, he still decided to participate. His performance was excellent, and he looked steely and unruffled despite the sweat-inducing headgear. It is unclear whether he had received a tumor diagnosis before or after his performance, but he was on the verge of major surgery when the episode was aired. Despite this, his message of making the world a beautiful place felt prescient.
12. Broccoli is Paul Anka
After a few seasons, all the simple character designs have been taken, and the show has to step up its game. The Broccoli mask is not the most intricate costume the show has ever had, but when Paul Anka, a 79-year-old rock-and-roller, wears the three-foot veggie head, you can’t help but appreciate the contestants’ commitment. Anka, who is the most charming singer disguised as a vegetable, pays tribute to the importance of The Masked Singer during a challenging pandemic year when he is unmasked. Although we would have considered starting with hospital staff, The Masked Singer is perhaps second or third in importance.
11. Cluedle-Doo is Donnie Wahlberg
After an entire season of driving the judges crazy, the vintage clown-styled cockerel on the popular show, The Masked Singer, shocked the panel by revealing his identity – he was the husband of Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg! Jenny immediately collapsed to the ground in shock, with her hand outstretched like she had just seen a ghost from the Victorian era. However, she quickly recovered and poked her grinning face over the top of the desk like a child in a Christmas movie. Although this kind of unearned sentimentality is often seen in family-friendly reality shows, the show deserves credit for such a tremendous twist.
10. Pickle is Michael Rapaport
Michael Rapaport, who is known for his controversial comments on Twitter, surprised his fans by dressing up as a giant dill pickle and performing like a pro-wrestling villain. He appeared to be playing the role of a rival mascot at a college ball game and enthusiastically embraced his Irish-themed pickle character. He even replaced several words in his song with “pickle,” which appeared to be an essential part of the show. Despite his polarizing political views, there is no denying that the Pickle character is a perfect fit for Michael Rapaport.
9. Leopard is Seal
During season two of the show, a singer performed in an Elizabethan-era dress, under the guise of a leopard. The singer’s performances of “Somebody to Love,” “Respect,” and “Big Spender” were captivating, and they exuded a bassy diva energy that left the panel confused about the singer’s gender. However, in a surprising twist, the leopard’s helmet was removed, and it was revealed that the singer was actually British icon Seal. It seems like the leopard costume really allowed Seal to express a flamboyant side of his personality that he hadn’t shown before.
8. Knight is William Shatner
During his performance, it was difficult to tell if William Shatner was there voluntarily. He was wearing a suit of armor, attached to a golden bird prop, and singing “Puttin’ On the Ritz” in a way that suggested he was trying to secretly avoid a sniper. It seemed more like a hostage situation than a performance for the Masked Singer. When he was finally unmasked, Shatner complained, “It was horrible,” before adding, “Oh, was that fun!” While not very convincing, it’s clear that elderly people should not be put on this show. The most memorable part of the show was probably Nick Cannon’s attempt to coin the nickname “Shat.”
7. Mouse is Dionne Warwick
“When you have Dionne Warwick as a participant in a show like The Masked Singer, it’s important to make sure that her outfit looks good. That’s why Warwick appeared as a mouse wearing a floral dress, a flower crown, and fairy wings. Despite the simplistic nature of the show, the judges showed Warwick a lot of respect and admiration for gracing the show with her presence. It’s worth noting that both Dionne Warwick and Latoya Jackson have now participated in The Masked Singer.
6. Gnome is Dick Van Dyke
This was a breakthrough moment for The Masked Singer, mainly because the 97-year-old legend is just so old, you’d think the heavy costuming would flag health and safety issues. Still, no one has gnomed better than our Dick, donning a Christmas tree–style robe and an impressively long ginger beard to stand in the middle of the stage while a million dancers spin around him. Hey, that’s fine with us! As long as the gnome doesn’t exert himself too much! Thicke says “Wow” about 90 times, Scherzinger weeps.
5. Diver is Tom Sandoval
Last October, Tom Sandoval, who is known for being called “a pure narcissist” and “less smart than a pig,” appeared on the singing competition show, The Masked Singer. He performed as Diver, covered in Octopus tentacles and attempting to hit high notes. Sandoval, a Vanderpump Rules villain, took this opportunity to bounce back from his breakup with Ariana Madix and showcase his talent without being judged for anything else. This crossover of two massive reality shows has the potential to become someone’s Roman Empire.
4. Lips is Wendy Williams
In one of the episodes of the popular TV show, the highlight moment was the audience’s reaction to a giant pair of red lips. The lips belonged to Wendy Williams, and the young man in the crowd was genuinely surprised by the moment. Wendy enjoys pushing people’s buttons, and on this occasion, she asked Cannon whether he would get back together with Mariah Carey. She also hoped that Thicke was staying out of trouble. When Thicke was asked about it, he replied on the spot by saying “Me? Oh…”
3. Gremlin is Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke put on quite a show as he tossed his big gremlin head into the crowd and moved around the stage in a restless manner. It was obvious that he didn’t want to be there anymore! Although the reveal was planned by the producers, Rourke’s perplexing and often unintelligible rendition of “Stand by Me” and his behavior after being unmasked added an uncertain but exciting energy to the show. When host Nick Cannon asked him why he participated, he responded in a respectful manner. “I was in the neighborhood,” he said. “I watched about four episodes from the beginning and all that stuff.”
2. Snail is Kermit the Frog
Please bear with me as I cannot see any spelling, grammar and punctuation errors in the original text. However, I can rephrase the text in simpler language to make it easier to understand:
Kermit the Frog is not a snail, but a frog. In the first episode of season five, a small snail took off its hat, and surprisingly, there was an empty space. It was a suspenseful moment, like a scene from a Hitchcock movie. But soon, Kermit appeared with his commanding and charismatic presence, which critics have praised as “historic” and “masterful.” Watching Muppets perform with humans is always delightful, especially when it happens unexpectedly.
1. Jack in the Box is Rudy Giuliani
In what has been the most controversial moment in the history of The Masked Singer (and there have been quite a few over the years), Rudy Giuliani, the former New York Mayor and a person notorious for his questionable behavior, caused judges to walk out and the crowd to boo him. The tension in the room was palpable as Rudy spoke about his granddaughter. It’s hard to say what was more amusing: the hesitant applause from the audience or the exaggerated praise the panel gave Rudy before unmasking him. What makes this situation even more disturbing is the fact that a disgraced and disliked public figure appearing on a fame-obsessed show like The Masked Singer is not an exception, but rather exactly what the show’s format encourages.
