ET is on the case with our top theories on the famous faces behind those elaborate masks.
Are you as obsessed with The Masked Singer as we are?
Fox’s latest celebrity competition series, hosted by Nick Cannon, became an instant sensation when it debuted Jan. 2, becoming the biggest unscripted telecast on any network in two years with 12.3 million viewers tuning in (with three days of DVR replays counted) and prompting viewers to put on their thinking caps.
Based on a South Korean format, The Masked Singer ramps up the mystery element, with each celeb singer shrouded from head to toe in an elaborate costume, complete with full face mask to conceal his or her identity, leaving judges Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke to play detective and figure out who is in disguise.
As more stars are unmasked as the season continues, ET will continue to update this master list with new clues, theories and the celebrity behind the costume.
THE BEE
The Clues:
"In my long career, I've flown to soaring heights, and I've never wanted to stop doing what I love," The Bee said, adding that being a "worker bee keeps me young." The Bee, revealed to be 5'4", also said, "You can call me Queen Bee, but 'Empress' also suits me," implying that she may have had the nickname "Empress" at one point in her career. "Coming onto this show, I'm looking forward to singing for a new generation, and I want to see for myself that I still have what it takes to create a buzz," The Bee added. However, one of the biggest clues came after her amazing performance -- in which she showcased her truly diva-quality singing voice -- when she revealed that she began singing in "the '50s."
In episode six, The Bee brought out her revealing item, which was bakeware, and she said baking was "her second favorite thing to do." Also, in her new clue package, The Bee reveals she got the idea to start a girl group when she was a little girl.
In Week 7's clue package, The Bee says, "So far I've been singing hits from today's music... Now that the competition is getting tougher, I'm going back to what I know best," after which she belted out the Tina Turner "What's Love Got to Do With It?" She also said she's won 10 GRAMMY Awards.
The Internet's Most Popular Guesses:
Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Gloria Gaynor
Our Best Guess:
Gladys Knight! While most of the iconic diva songstresses that the judges guessed could be right, Knight is famously known as the Empress of Soul, and that feels too closely tied to the "empress" clue to be a coincidence. Also, the new bakeware clue only adds to our conviction, as Knight wrote a cookbook, At Home With Gladys Knight: Her Personal Recipe for Living Well, Eating Right, and Loving Life. In all fairness, LaBelle has several cookbooks, but we're pretty sure we're right. Also, Knight formed The Pips when she was 8, so that perfectly lines up with some of the new clues. Also, Knight has seven GRAMMY Awards as a solo artist and three with The Pips, for a total of 10 GRAMMY Awards.
THE PEACOCK
The Clues:
For The Peacock's pre-taped package, viewers got a whole lot of clues to work off of. The performer is 5' 9" tall, he "shares a love of the spotlight," and he says he made his stage debut at 5 years old. The singer, who is seen playing the piano and a deck of cards, said "Putting on a show is in my DNA," and hinted at his past fame when he said, "It’s probably been a while since your mom had posters of me on her bedroom wall." Additionally, he claims to have been friends with Michael Jackson and says he’s ready to make a "comeback." After his performance of "The Greatest Show" from the 2017 hit movie, The Greatest Showman, The Peacock further hinted that he's got "Vegas vibes," and that he has participated in a magic act in the past.
The Internet's Most Popular Guesses:
Donny Osmond, Neil Diamond, David Hasselhoff, Elton John, Tom Jones
Our Best Guess:
Donny Osmond! So many of the clues fit too perfectly! He first performed on TV when he was 5 years old, he was a pop icon back in the day and he even assisted in a magic act -- and those are just a few examples of how the clues support our guess.
THE MONSTER
The Clues:
According to the show's brief bio, The Monster is 5'8" and his weakness is "being misunderstood." In the clues package, The Monster claims the world labeled him "a monster," and now he wants to "rewrite my mix-tape to prove that I’m more than just puff and fluff." He hints that he was once "at the top of my game and the game turned on me," so he "retreated into my cave to take a break from the public eye." Eagle-eyed viewers also saw one of the secret agent-looking guys drinking what looks to be an energy drink of some sort, possibly another clue to The Monster's true identity.
In Week 7, The Monster reveals that he wears size 12 shoes.
The Internet’s Most Popular Guesses:
T-Pain, CeeLo Green, Jamie Foxx, R. Kelly, Kenan Thompson
Our Best Guess:
T-Pain! The biggest clue for us? When asked if he was a "professional singer," The Monster cryptically replied, "Not to everyone." This could be in reference to his heavy use of auto-tuning, which made him famous but also played a part in his downfall. Not many people are actually aware that T-Pain has a stellar singing voice without auto-tune, and the judges even noted that the performer was incredibly "soulful." Also, T-Pain once hawked for an energy drink called Surge. Sounds like T-Pain to us.
THE LION **Revealed!*
The Clues:
The Lion is 5’6” tall and she considers being "noble" her greatest strength. In her intro package -- which reveals she's Hollywood royalty -- she declared she's "here to roar" and she sees this moment as "my chance for people to see me perform without any preconceived notions." "Now I'm standing on my own," The Lion said, "and I'm stepping away from my pride to sing my heart out," prompting many to guess she has something to prove. She later offered a clue about where she comes from, saying that "in my pride, there are lots of women." The Lion also viewed "true strength" as something that "comes from embracing all your vulnerabilities" and declared, "I'm going to show my true self for the very first time."
The Internet’s Most Popular Guesses:
Kendall Jenner, Rumer Willis, Paris Jackson, Katy Perry
Our Best Guess:
Rumer Willis! All the signs are there. She has the Fox connection (Willis recurred on the Lyon family-centered Empire), she can really, really sing (just watch her cover Amy Winehouse in 2016), she would strut like that onstage, she is the right height, she's a Leo (and had a lion tattoo) and she has performed the song before at a stage show. Plus, she has famous parents (Demi Moore and Bruce Willis) and is close with her younger sisters (Tallulah and Scout) and half-sisters (Mabel and Evelyn).
And the Mystery Celeb Is...
Rumer Willis! The Dancing With the Stars Mirrorball trophy winner told the judges that she decided to join the show because "I knew how to dance... but I wanted everyone to know I could sing too."
THE RABBIT *Revealed!*
The Clues:
The Rabbit, whose height is about 5'11", said he spent "most of my life on stage, but I was never alone," hinting that he possibly part of a group of some sort. Another clue hinting to who the mystery celebrity is was when he said, "I pop up here and I pop up there" and that his main "forte" is "synchronized singing." He also shared that he's performed on stage, performed in a mask (possibly alluding to acting) and has a voice. The most telling clue may have been what he ended his clues package on, "I'm here to win and you better believe, the last man standing is gonna be me." When the judges asked if he was or were in a boy band, The Rabbit confirmed he is "in a band."
In Week 5, The Rabbit had to bring out a revealing personal item, which turned to be a magician's kit. Also, in his new clue package, The Rabbit appears to be in the order window of a fast food joint, and a sign on the glass reads, "Brooklyn pizza available."
In Week 7, The Rabbit revealed "I have 17 tattoos on my body." Additionally, on the Fox website, they shared a clue about The Rabbit that read, "He loves to sink his teeth into a big, fat Italian ice."
The Internet's Most Popular Guesses:
Joey Fatone, A.J. McLean, J.C. Chasez, Nick Carter, Donnie Wahlberg
Our Best Guess:
Joey Fatone! We're going to run with the former *NSync member, mainly because he referenced several of the group's catalogue, like "Pop" and "It's Gonna Be Me." The rabbit wearing a straitjacket also seemed like a very deliberate choice, possibly a nod to *NSync's "I Drive Myself Crazy" music video.
Additionally, Fatone was born in Brooklyn, New York, and he opened his own food stand in Orlando, Florida, in 2017, where they sell hot dogs and Italian ice beverages. He's also a huge fan of magic and illusions.
And the Mystery Celeb Is...
Joey Fatone! It was always going to be Fatone. At no point was it ever possible that it wouldn't be Fatone.
THE ALIEN *Revealed!*
The Clues:
The Alien, whose height is 5'5", revealed that she comes from a big, famous family, as "anonymity is a completely alien concept." "Growing up in the public eye, my life was never my own," a possible clue that she was never front and center. Another big clue is that while she has "let others define" her during her life, she won't let others control her ever again, alluding to the fact that she is seeking her independence from now on. When the judges asked The Alien a question about her crew, she cryptically noted, "I have many sisters."
During Week 5, we got our most overt clue yet. The Alien was tasked with presenting a revealing object, and she brought out a police badge from Muncie, Indiana. The Alien said it was not a prop, and that she "swore to protect and serve."
The Internet's Most Popular Guesses:
La Toya Jackson, Tamar Braxton, Kendall Jenner
Our Best Guess:
La Toya Jackson! We first thought it was Kendall Jenner, but that was before we knew the height (5'5"). Now, we're pretty certain it's Jackson. All the clues fit. She's the right height, she was once in a contentious marriage, patriarch Joe Jackson controlled the family with authority and the clan was constantly in the public eye. There were also five aliens around the 15-second mark in the clues package, a likely signal to the Jackson 5 and when she first sang, it sounded very Janet-esque.
Also, the police badge clue just solidified things in our minds. La Toya was on the short-lived reality series Armed & Famous in 2007, where she trained to be a police officer in Muncie. This is about as confirmed as you can get.
And the Mystery Celeb Is...
La Toya Jackson! We called it (yet again!) After the reveal, Jackson beamed and explained why she decided to join the show. "I really have to be honest with all of you, the reason I did this is people have a tendency to pre-judge you and they compare you to other people in your family. And I just wanted to do it and see how far I'd go!"
THE RAVEN *Revealed!*
The Clues:
The Raven said she spent most of her life listening "to other people's stories and now it's my opportunity to share mine," a hint that she possibly hosted a popular talk show, as another clue stated that she never had trouble "finding an audience." She shared that she's a "sunny kind of person" and "no one talks more than me." The 5'4" tall Raven also revealed she recently suffered a tragic loss and this is "a chance to honor my beloved." She ended her clues video by saying, "Don't cry, baby, this one's for you."
The Internet's Most Popular Guesses:
Ricki Lake, Queen Latifah, Raven Symone
Our Best Guess:
Ricki Lake! We're 99.9 percent sure on this one; the biggest clue is that she spent most of her career listening to other people and Lake hosted a popular talk show, Ricki Lake, for more than a decade from the mid-90s through early '00s. Lake's ex-husband committed suicide in 2017, which could have been what she was referencing when she said she recently lost a loved one. She also starred in the 1990 movie, Cry Baby, and played Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray.
And the Mystery Celeb Is...
Ricki Lake! We totally called it! After the reveal, Lake shared with the judges, "I love the anonymity. I'm so bad at keeping a secret so for me not being able to tell my family what I'm doing, it's been a ball!"
As for why she chose to be a raven, she said the bird is a symbol of "death but also metamorphosis."
"I went through the loss of my husband last year and this really was an opportunity for me to share my journey through his loss. He was the best thing that ever happened to me."
THE PINEAPPLE *Revealed!*
The Clues:
The Pineapple, who is 6'1", said that although he looks happy now, he's "gone through some dark times," and added that he beat a life-threatening disease." In his pre-taped package, The Pineapple can be seen washing a classic pink Mercury, with a yin-yang hanging from the rear-view mirror and a license plate number reading 52438T. The car also sported a "Pipe Dreams" bumper sticker and he added to the weed motif by saying, "Life is short so you've got to seize your dreams before life goes up in smoke."
The Internet's Most Popular Guesses:
Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin, Jack Nicholson, Tracy Morgan
Our Best Guess:
Tommy Chong! It's so obviously the actor, that it's not even a question. His most famous film is titled "Up In Smoke," and his license plate number is Chong's birthday, May 24, 1938.
And the Mystery Celeb Is...
Tommy Chong. We called it! Honestly, this one wasn't even fair. And yet none of the judges got it right. McCarthy almost guessed it, but then changed her mind at the last minute.
THE POODLE *Revealed!*
The Clues:
"Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to be on stage and take on a character. Which is why I choose the poodle. Because, like me, they're sassy, smart and Best in Show," The Poodle said in her pre-taped package, as images of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Area played in the background. She also hinted that she does "stand up," and said, "I come from a musical family, but I chose a different kind of talent." Cryptically lifting small weights while men did stretching exercises next to her, The Poodle -- revealed to be 5'5" -- added, "It's time I return to my musical roots to show the world a side of me it's never seen before. To figure me out, you're gonna have to work."
The Internet's Most Popular Guesses:
RuPaul, Margaret Cho or Ali Wong
Our Best Guess:
Margaret Cho! With her references to her background in LGBT advocacy, the fact that she was born in San Francisco and that she's a stand-up comic, it seems very possible, but it's really anyone's guess. It could also very well be Suzanne Somers, who is also a Bay Area native, matches the height and is also known for her fitness brand.
And the Mystery Celeb Is...
Margaret Cho. Right again! This reveal was particularly embarrassing for Ken Jeong, considering Cho played his sister on Dr. Ken, and they are friends in real life.
THE UNICORN *Revealed!*
The Clues:
The Unicorn is 5'6" and implied that she was born or raised in one of the richest neighborhoods in America, Beverly Hills. While her strength was listed as "being magic," The Unicorn -- who shared that people often call her "Bird" -- somberly noted in the clues package that her childhood "should have been magical," implying that she had a difficult upbringing or family life. According to her, she dreamed of being a singer when she was a kid, but was told by someone she looked up to when she was younger that she was tone deaf. Yikes! During Week 5, The Unicorn also brought out a revealing item for the judges that turned out to be a typewriter.
The Internet’s Most Popular Guesses:
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Tori Spelling
Our Best Guess:
Tori Spelling! She grew up in Beverly Hills, she had a roller-coaster relationship with her famous father, Beverly Hills, 90210 mastermind Aaron Spelling, and mother, Candy Spelling. Plus, if you do some sleuthing, her first name, Tori, means "bird" in Japanese.
And the Mystery Celeb Is...
Tori Spelling! We totally nailed it from the start! Also, the typewriter belonged to her father, the late Aaron Spelling, who wrote scores of popular TV shows in his life.
THE DEER *Revealed!*
The Clues:
It's easy to gloss over certain clues (they go by so darn fast!) and The Deer had a lot. Not only is he 6'3", his clue package had him blatantly holding a football trophy while he's lounging on the couch, which made the non-football guesses even funnier in hindsight. With "longevity" as a strength, The Deer says he's incredibly competitive and considers himself a singer, though not everyone agrees. Interestingly, he confesses it's difficult for people to get past who he is and what he’s known for, possibly hinting that he's currently not doing what made him famous. Another clue? He's been “knocked down many times," possibly alluding to getting sacked. He also said, "In the wild wild west, you learn how to get up and get back in the saddle," before ending with a warning of sorts, “Ravens beware, I’m here to win.”
The Internet’s Most Popular Guesses:
Terry Bradshaw, Eric Decker, Tim Tebow, Peyton Manning, John Elway
Our Best Guess:
Terry Bradshaw! To us, he's the only logical answer for who's behind The Deer mask. There's the "longevity" factor (the 70-year-old has been in the American lexicon since 1970) and the cryptic Ravens warning (he quarterbacked the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose main rival is the Baltimore Ravens). The biggest clue? When asked what he meant by "the wild wild west," The Deer responded, "I love horses." Do a little Googling and you'll discover Bradshaw owns a horse ranch in Oklahoma. Lock it in.
And the Mystery Celeb Is...
Terry Bradshaw! We're two-for-two now after calling it last week, and hopefully we can keep this up with our future predictions.
THE HIPPO *Revealed!*
The Clues:
At 5’10”, The Hippo said being "unpredictable" is his strength. The clues package included an interesting mix of hints -- from breakfast being his favorite meal, to a $10,000 bill, to this interesting remark: “Every time I win, I just gotta dance even if it gets me in trouble." As someone who conquers “every arena” he enters, The Hippo said “bowling” is his favorite past time, possibly a reference to the Super Bowl?
The Internet’s Most Popular Guesses:
Chad Ochocinco, Kevin Hart, Odell Beckham Jr., Von Miller
Our Best Guess:
Odell Beckham Jr.! We're not really going off of much here, but it'd be cool to see a NFL star of his caliber do something outrageous like this.
And the Mystery Celeb Is...
Antonio Brown. The current NFL pro (and former Dancing With the Stars contestant) was the first celebrity eliminated and revealed on the Jan. 2 premiere. The biggest clue that pointed to Brown was the $10,000 bill, a reference to the $10,000 fine he received from the Steelers in 2017 for streaming a private locker room video on Facebook Live.
The Masked Singer airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.
This story was originally published on Jan. 9 at 2:55 p.m. PT.
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