The Masked Singer [1] might be the most bonkers reality show on TV at the moment, but nevertheless, I can't help but find myself fascinated by the mystery of which thirsty celebrity is lurking behind each of those bizarre, nightmarish masks that look like rejected outfits from the Spy Kids costume department.
Hosted by Nick Cannon, the Fox reality competition series is the US remake of the popular South Korean show King of Mask Singer. It began with 12 singing celebrities, with one being eliminated each week. The catch? Each of the contestants wears head-to-toe costumes concealing every inch of their identities from not only the audience, but also the panelists and the other contestants. Panelists Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy [2], Nicole Scherzinger, and Robin Thicke receive small hints about who the singer might be over the course of the show, and then try to guess their identities.
Warning: spoilers for The Masked Singer [3] to follow!
So far we've unmasked Hippo (NFL player Antonio Brown), Pineapple (comedian Tommy Chong), Unicorn (Beverly Hills, 90210's Tori Spelling [4]), and a few others. So, if you're wondering who's behind the masks of Raven, Lion, Peacock, Monster, and the rest, keep reading!
Who Is the Unicorn on the Masked Singer?
Before we figured out who the Unicorn really was, we were given a few clues: she's crafty, five-foot-six, from Beverly Hills, and apparently always wanted to sing. (When she sings on the show, though, Robin Thicke quips, "She doesn't sound like a trained singer.") Also, her nickname is "Bird," and discusses quite a bit how she has low self-esteem. So, who is she?
The Unicorn Is . . . Tori Spelling!
After performing tracks like Icona Pop's "I Love It" and Rachel Platten's "Fight Song," it was finally revealed that 90210 actress Tori Spelling [6] has been the Unicorn all along. It makes sense, too, given how she's from Beverly Hills, had a tumultuous childhood, and has had self-esteem issues in the public eye.
Who Is the Poodle on the Masked Singer?
The Poodle's clues were as follows: she's been around "for years," she "practices new material" (suggesting she's a comedian), and she's "sassy and smart and best in show." (Duh.) Also, she loves to be onstage, is from (or lives in) San Francisco, and mentions she does stand-up, and her career centres on "exercising her right to free speech" (a rainbow flag pops up in the background when she says this).
The Poodle Is . . . Margaret Cho!
Although some panelists guessed Jillian Michaels and Kathy Griffin, it was actually Margaret Cho! The San Francisco-born comedian, actress, fashion designer, author and singer is most well known for her scathing stand-up routines, where she isn't afraid of calling out hot button social and political issues.
Who Is the Deer on the Masked Singer?
When it came time to guess who the Deer was, we got clues about his height (six-foot-three), his "incredibly competitive" nature, his origins (he had a slight Southern accent and mentioned the "Wild Wild West"), and said "Ravens, beware."
The Raven Is . . . Terry Bradshaw!
Now the "Ravens, beware" comment makes sense! The former NFL player was on the Steelers, which is rivals with the Baltimore Ravens and also speaks to his competitive nature. His height also checks out, and the "Wild Wild West" comment was likely a reference to his country music career (he's released five albums).
Who Is the Pineapple on the Masked Singer?
The Pineapple introduced himself to the judges by saying he's "cool and tropical and goes well with ham," making Robin Thicke guess that he's a surfer of some kind (lol). He also says he's an "old g" who's survived a life-threatening disease, and a bumper sticker on his car says "pipe dream."
The Pinapple Is . . . Tommy Chong!
Comedian Tommy Chong's rough performance of "I Will Survive" got him nixed from the competition early, but he seemed to be in pretty good spirits about the whole thing.
Who Is the Hippo on the Masked Singer?
The Hippo's first few clues include: saying he's a competitor, and that breakfast is the most important meal of the day for him; he's "used to performing in a mask in front of thousands of screaming fans," suggesting a sport of some kind; he also says that every time he wins, he's just "gotta dance."
The Hippo Is . . . Antonoio Brown!
We've got another Steelers alum in the house! The NFL wide receiver was the first competitor to be revealed, after going up against the Peacock. His clues totally jive with Brown's athletic career, since he played both football and track in high school, and has obviously gone on to professional success.
Who Is the Raven on the Masked Singer?
The Raven's identity is still a mystery! But thanks to the clues, we know that whoever is under the mask has listened to "other peoples' stories" her entire life, and that "no one talks like me." The Raven also says that she's suffered "the loss of my beloved," but "like a phoenix," she'll rise again.
Weirdly, there was also a pregnancy test clue in one of the previous clips, and the Raven also notes that "no one recognised" her beauty until "a man" took her away from her flock. The year 1968 is included as a clue, too.
So, who could it be? There are a few clues that suggest it's a talkshow host, thanks to mentions of listening to stories and speaking in front of an audience. Ricki Lake's ex-husband committed suicide in 2017, as did Rosie O'Donnell [7]'s ex-wife, both of which could be the tragedy the Raven is recovering from. (Lake, for what it's worth, was born in 1968) As for the pregnancy test? That's a head-scratcher.
Who Is the Monster on the Masked Singer?
In addition to having a love of Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want To Be," we know that the Monster is from the South and has a Cadillac. He mentions that he's going to "rewrite" his mixtape, and prove to audiences that he's more than "puff and fluff." According to the Monster, he was at the top of his game, "but the game turned on" him and he took a break from the public eye.
He also says "not everyone" would consider him a professional singer,
So, who could it be? The mention of mixtapes, the game, and not everyone seeing him as a singer suggests the Monster is a rapper who's trying to break free from being pigeonholed into that genre. If he's indeed a southern rapper, his voice [8] sounds a great deal like T-Pain (from Tallahassee, Florida), who we know from his Tiny Desk performance [9] has a beautiful singing voice, period.
Who Is the Peacock on the Masked Singer?
It was obvious from the Peacock's first performance [10] that he was a natural performer, and clearly had experience singing onstage. His other big clues are: he chose to be the Peacock because he has a "love of the spotlight," has been performing since he was five years old, can play piano, and has performing "in [his] DNA."
He also tells the panelists he was "dear" friends with Michael Jackson [11], and says, "It's probably been a while since your mom had a poster of me on her bedroom wall." Former teen idol, eh?
So, who could it be? Donny Osmond had a longtime friendship with Jackson, the King of Pop, and has been performing since he was a kid. Osmond would also make the poster comment check out, as well as having performing in his DNA (he was a part of his family's band, The Osmonds). As a talk and game show host, record producer, and author, you could also say he clearly loves the spotlight.
Who Is the Rabbit on the Masked Singer?
The Rabbit says that he's spent most of his life onstage, but never by himself. He says he "pops" up here and there, and that "synchronized singing" is his forte, suggesting he is a former member of a boy band. There's also a sign in one of his videos that says "Brooklyn pizza," and continued allusions to the fact he's a magician.
So, who could it be? We're going to guess NSYNC's Joey Fatone, who hails from Brooklyn and practices magic as a hobby.
Who Is the Bee on the Masked Singer?
A quick breakdown of what we know about the Bee: she's had a "long career" and never wanted to stop doing what she loves; she says the nickname "Empress" suits her; she wants to sing for "a whole new generation," since she first started singing "in the '50s." Her clues also included a photo of tennis balls!
So, who could it be? I mean, it has to be Gladys Knight, right?! It sounds just like her.
Who Is the Alien on the Masked Singer?
The Alien says her family name is famous, and that we may think she's "out of fashion." She also declares that "no one will ever control" her again, and that this is "the first time, the world gets to hear my voice on my terms." Later, she says she has "many sisters."
So, who could it be? Her performance of "Feel It Still" seems like a pretty good match for Latoya Jackson (seriously — just listen [12]!). It would also make sense given her comments about having a famous family, and control issues (it could be a nod to her father and husband, as well as Janet Jackson [13]'s album, Control).
Who Is the Lion on the Masked Singer?
The Lion says using her voice to help others "has always been very important," and is pictured alongside a bunch of protesters. She mentions that some think she's from "Hollywood royalty," and that there are a lot of women in her "pride." She also tells the judges that they're way off base when they suggest she's from a girl group — they're blown away by her voice — and shoots down suggestions she's Hailey Baldwin after holding up a newspaper with the headline "Gold Found in Hailey."
So, who could it be? Rumer Willis. She's on Empire, which is about the Lyon family, and has already proven her onstage abilities on Dancing With the Stars [14] and in Chicago [15]. She also has a few sisters, which explains her predominantly female pride, and her father had a home for years in Hailey, Idaho [16], so that's what the newspaper likely means.