‘The Masked Singer’ has delighted fans ever since it first premiered on FOX early last year. Now in its third season, the reality competition series — which features celebrities performing with masks and elaborate costumes — has garnered a mass following thanks to its vivacious panelists, plethora of surprises, and eclectic costumes ranging from peacocks to bananas and aliens. The panelists are Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, and Nicole Scherzinger.
Nick Cannon has been hosting the series after his unceremonious exit from ‘America’s Got Talent.’ (The host said he was unhappy with the fact that NBC executives considered firing him after he made a racial joke during a recent Showtime comedy special.)
Here are 16 things we have learned about ‘The Masked Singer’ thus far, including the fact that it is based on a pre-existing reality TV show.
16 Contestants' Identities Remain Secret Throughout Taping, With Even Nick Cannon In The Dark
If you were ever under the impression Cannon had prior knowledge of who each famous contestant was before taking his/her mask of, think again. The host told Country Living, "I personally stay out of when they pick whoever the celebs are in the costumes because I want to be able to play along with everyone else."
15 Cannon Said Celebs Get To Choose Costumes, Which Often Hint Their Identities
Sometimes, the clues to a mystery are right before our eyes. According to Cannon, celebs' choices for masks and costumes often provide major insight on who they are. For example, Season 1 winner T-Pain chose a monster costume not only because he is misunderstood, but because he is reportedly a huge gamer, among other reasons. Pretty cool!
14 Video Packages With Clues Are Presented Before Each Celeb Performs
Aside from the costumes and masks themselves, each contestant has a video clip package that offers facts and hints as to who he/she is before every performance. In the case of the llama in the Season 3 premiere, the clues included the fact that the celeb is a "joker" and possibly a radio show host.
13 Celebs' Entourage & Agents Also Wear Masks
It's not just participants who don crazy masks and costumes for the show. Their agents and team also have to go incognito, just to add to the suspense. This makes sense, as some of the panelists may have been able to guess who the celebs were based on their entourage, especially if they have strong showbiz connections.
12 Song Choices Are Bigger Hints Than Audiences Realize
“If you pay close attention to the songs that people are singing and then why they chose the costume that they chose, I think that those are some of the biggest clues that sometimes people just overlook," Cannon told Country Living. It's hard to not let oneself get completely mesmerized by the costumes, isn't it?
11 Contestants Don't Know Who The Other Masked Performers Are
On 'The Masked Singer,' competitors are also kept in the dark about who their rivals are! This is so great because it offers a chance for more shocking celeb reactions to reveal. Let's hope that Season 3 is filled with more original costumes and song choices so that the intrigue continues!
10 La Toya Jackson Feared Her Alien Head Would Come Off
After La Toya Jackson was revealed as "Alien" in Season 1, she confessed that keeping her wooden mask on was one of the most difficult parts of her appearance. "The alien head was so heavy, and it weighed so much it would tilt me over and I would lose my balance," the former Jackson 5 member told ETOnline.
9 The Show Was Renewed For A Second Season Before Season 1 Was Over
The concept for 'The Masked Singer' may have sounded totally whacky to many, but fans were delighted when the show was picked up for a second season before the 10-episode first season was even over. Reality television clearly finds new ways to turn our worlds upside down nearly every day, doesn't it?
8 Contestants Surrender Their Electronics Before Appearing On The Show
Much like entering a top-secret facility (the CIA, any other major government surveillance agency) or even just a high school or college classroom with a strict teacher, 'The Masked Singer''s contestants are forced to turn in their electronic devices before performing on the series, per cheatsheet.com. No funny business here.
7 Contestants Sign Non-Disclosure Agreements Before Performing
It's actually not just electronic devices that contestants have to turn in before appearing on the show. They must also sign non-disclosure agreements before even being able to sit down in their assigned seat. Talk about confidentiality and striving to avoid any spoilers! FOX's producers don't mess around at all.
6 Robin Thicke Felt Embarrassed About Failing To Correctly Guess Season 1's Winner (T-Pain)
If you had trouble figuring out who was behind the monster mask in Season 1, you're not alone. Five-time Grammy nominee Robin Thicke was extremely upset about his failure to realize that autotune-heavy artist T-Pain was wearing that costume. "I was way off," Thicke told The Wrap. "I wasn't even close."
5 The Audience Is Forced To Go Home Before Performers Are Revealed
Andy Collins, the "warm-up" guy on 'The Masked Singer,' recently told The Sun that his superiors have told him to clear audience members from the show's studio and compared this duty to being a "UN peacekeeper." Collins added his task usually comes after the crowd starts yelling "take it off!" Good to know.
4 Smackdowns Are Expected To Continue Throughout Season 3
If you got a kick out of the face-offs or "smackdowns" from Season 2 of 'The Masked Singer,' you're in for a treat. They will reportedly continue this season! "It's really funny and a great way for the singers to have a bit more fun," show-runner Izzie Ibarra told Good Housekeeping. Sweet!
3 Leah Remini Will Serve As A Guest Judge In Season 3
Viewers who have missed Leah Remini since her stint on the short-lived sitcom 'Kevin Can Wait' will get another chance to see the actress and Scientology investigator on Season 3 as a guest panelist. She follows former 'American Pie' star Jason Biggs and Oscar winner Jamie Foxx. Will Remini be astute in her guesses?
2 Video Packages In Season 3 Will Add Family & Friends Talking About Masked Performers
Who's a better source of interesting information about a celebrity than his or her own family and friends (also in costume)? This season, the video clip packages will add a whole new dimension to the clues that lead up to the big reveal for each contestant, per Good Housekeeping. Get ready to learn some crazy facts about celebs!
1 It Is Based On A South Korean Show Called 'King Of Masked Singer,' Where Ryan Reynolds Appeared
Before 'The Masked Singer' became a hit here, it was originally a reality television series in South Korea called 'King of Masked Singer.' Deadpool himself, Ryan Reynolds, appeared on the show as a sparkly unicorn. Reynolds sang "Tomorrow" from the movie 'Annie' and said he was nervous and was wearing an "adult diaper." Hilarious!
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