SPOILER alert: Do not read ahead if you have not watched the two-hour Season 10 Finale of “The Masked Singer,” which aired Dec. 20 on Fox.
Because of you, Ne-Yo just had the time of his life on Fox’s “The Masked Singer.” The artist won the Season 10 finale of the hit series on Wednesday night, becoming the last celebrity to be unmasked this season. Ne-Yo won by performing “Rhythm Nation,” by Janet Jackson; “Take a Bow,” by Rihanna, before being revealed as Cow.
“Dukes of Hazzard” star John Schneider was the season’s runner-up, having performed as Donut. In third place was “Pretty Little Liars” star (and one-time Moanalua High student) Janel Parrish, revealed to be Gazelle. And in fourth, also unmasked on Wednesday night, was Grammy winner Macy Gray, as Sea Queen.
“I’ve been very blessed to have a lot of success in my career. And trust me, I’m grateful. But even though I’ve won Grammys, I’ve never had the moment televised,” Ne-Yo/Cow said in his pre-taped “The Masked Singer” package. “Never gotten to give my acceptance speech. And most importantly, have never gotten the chance to give credit to the person who made it all possible: My mother. I’ve helped so many other artists achieve their dreams and make their big moments possible. But sometimes I feel like I haven’t truly had my moment. To be recognized not only as an artist, but as a creator. But here, I’ve certainly felt that shine… I’m hoping that when I win the Golden Masked Trophy, I can finally read that acceptance speech after all of these years.”
Schneider elicited plenty of emotion from the show’s panelists — particularly Ken Jeong — for talking openly about the death of his wife earlier this year, and how “The Masked Singer” has been a part of his healing process.
“This has been a really good experience, being here, because most people don’t know that I love to sing,” Schneider-as-Donut said. “My wife would say, ‘I don’t understand. You have done 18, 19 albums. Have five No. 1 songs. Ten or 15 top ten songs. There was a lot of stuff, but nobody knows that you sing. So, a couple of years ago she said, ‘Hey baby, we’re going to get you on The Masked Singer. So, people can finally see what you can do.’ This is really a dream come true for me, because I can honor her through doing it. Every performance has been a love letter to her. And I know she’s been on that stage with me, every step of the way.”
Among the panelists, Ne-Yo as Cow was figured out by Robin Thicke and Nicole Scherzinger. Ken Jeong said it was Usher, while Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg went with Billy Porter.
For Donut, McCarthy Wahlberg figured out it was John Schneider. Scherzinger thought it was Engelbert Humperdinck, while Thicke named Tom Jones, with Jeong agreeing.
With Gazelle, no one guessed Parrish. Thicke and McCarthy Wahlberg named Ashley Tisdale. Jeong thought it was Constance Wu. Scherzinger picked Gina Rodriguez.
As for Sea Queen, it was a bit too obvious perhaps – which is why all four panelists collectively agreed. Scherzinger got this one right first in naming Macy Gray, and Thicke, McCarthy Wahlberg and Jeong all went with the ditto.
The singer voted off first with the evening’s least number of votes was Macy Gray as Sea Queen. Janel Parrish was the next to go as Gazelle, leaving John Schneider as Donut and Ne-Yo as Cow to each sing one more song to determine the winner.
Ne-Yo as Cow, John Schneider as Donut, Macy Gray as Sea Queen and Janel Parrish as Gazelle join John Oates as Anteater, Keysia Cole as Candelabra, Sebastian Bach as Tiki, Ginuwine as Husky, Ashley Parker Angel as S’more, Metta World Peace as Cuddle Monster, Luann de Lesseps as Hibiscus, Tyler Posey as Hawk, Billie Jean King as Royal Hen, Michael Rapaport as Pickle, Tom Sandoval as Diver, Anthony Anderson as Rubber Ducky and one-time special guest Demi Lovato as Anonymouse, as the Season 10 unmasked celebrities so far.
“The Masked Singer” finale opened with the four final contestants singing “What I Like about You,” by the Romantics.
“The Masked Singer” featured a new format this season, with three groups followed by Battle Royale semi-final episodes. The season also includes the return of Wild Card contestants, with one Wild Card introduced to each group, and the “Ding Dong Keep It On Bell” was back in the Battle Royale semi-final episodes, where the judges chose Gazelle from elimination.
With sixteen total celebrity singers, Season 10 featured new costumes including “Donut,” “Anteater,” “Hawk,” “Hibiscus,” “Diver,” “Gazelle,” “Royal Hen,” “Husky,” “Tiki,” “Pickle,” “Rubber Ducky,” “Candelabra,” “Cow,” “Sea Queen,” “Anonymouse” and a life-size “S’More.” Also returning to mark the show’s 10th were celebrities who have been previously unmasked since the show began. According to the show, Season 10 contestants “boast a combined 40 medals, 33 Grammy nominations, seven hall of fame awards, three lifetime achievement awards and over 50 tattoos.”
The season’s themed episodes included a tribute to Elton John; a “Trolls Night” tied to the November release of DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls Band Together”; a “Harry Potter Night” airing the week of Halloween; “NFL Night”; “One Hit Wonders”; “Disco”; “2000s Night”; “I Wanna Rock”; and “Soundtrack of My Life.” Back for Season 10 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke.
Here were the final performances on this week’s episode:
WINNER: Cow (Ne-Yo)
Song: “Rhythm Nation,” by Janet Jackson; “Take a Bow,” by Rihanna
Panel guesses: Ne-Yo, Leslie Odom Jr., Taye Diggs, Usher, Billy Porter
Clue: “I was a fan of this show before I got here. I always wanted to do the show. And so, this is already a dream come true. I’m having a ball.”
Package voiceover: “I originally chose to become the Cow because I thought it would be a super fun way to get my friends on the panel off my scent. But, even though I’m used to wearing different hats, being here has challenged me in a whole new way. I’ve had to re-learn how to express myself entirely. From the way I move to the way I dance. When you get to my level of success and fame, there are certain expectations and pressures to perform the same old way. So, it’s been a blast, getting to take on this whole new persona. The Cow, in a way, has also become a tribute to my mother, who showed me it’s OK to be strong and sensitive. So tonight, I’m channeling that same fierceness into this finale. So I can win this thing. For her and all the strong women who made me who I am today.”
Previous songs: “Bones,” by Imagine Dragons; “Treasure,” by Bruno Mars; “Cry Me A River,” by Justin Timberlake; “Ring My Bell,” by Anita Ward
Previous panel guesses: Shawn Stockman, Usher, Leslie Odom, Jr., Trey Songs, Ne-Yo, Mario, Nelly, Jason Derulo, Taye Diggs
RUNNER-UP: Donut (John Schneider)
Song: “You Are So Beautiful,” by Joe Cocker; “Drift Away,” by Dobie Gray
Panel guesses: Engelbert Humperdink, Tom Jones, John Schneider
Clue: “It was actually my beautiful wife who first said she wanted me to be on this show. So being able to check this off of her bucket list has given me great joy.”
Package voiceover: “I came into this competition at the lowest point in my life. But I tell you, as soon as I saw that Donut mask, his smile made me happy in a way I had not felt in a long time. I knew right then and there that become the donut is what I needed to heal from my wife’s passing. I know that she’s getting a big kick out of me in this donut costume. Because every Saturday morning, I would make the coffee and my wife would go out and get donuts – an apple fritter especially for me. In fact, her nickname for me was ‘Fritter.’ I still miss her than I can possibly say. But putting this costume on every night has helped me remember all the beautiful memories we had together. And tonight, under this mask, I’m finally smiling again, just like she always was.”
Previous songs: “Hooked on a Feeling,” by Blue Suede; “I Do (Cherish You),” by 98 Degrees; “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles
Previous clue: Hair and seasoning. “I’m well-seasoned, and I have been enjoyed by several generations.”
Previous panel guesses: Sylvester Stallone, Jeff Bridges, Tom Jones, Stanley Tucci, Liam Neeson, Engelbert Humperdinck, John Schneider
THIRD PLACE: Gazelle (Janel Parrish)
Song: “Chasing Cars,” by Snow Patrol
Panel guesses: Camila Mendes, Leighton Meester, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens, Auli’I Cravalho, Gina Rodriguez, Constance Wu
Clue: “Being the Gazelle has helped me find my voice and my confidence in singing again. Now, I don’t want to ever stop.”
Package voiceover: “I would be surprised if anyone in ‘Masked Singer’ history was more suited to their costume than I am to the Gazelle. I’ve mentioned in the past that deer are meaningful to me because of the loved one that I lost. What I haven’t say is that I actually have a deer tattoo for that person, with flowers growing out of the antlers. So, when I saw the sketch that looked so much like my tattoo, I broke down shaking and sobbing. It just felt like fate. Now, having gotten to be in the Gazelle mask for a while, I can definitely say that she feels like this alter ego of me that I have been craving. When I put her on, all of my insecurities and fears are gone. I was given a second chance to keep this mask on, and I’m not going to waste it. Becoming the Gazelle has really allowed me to tap into my inner goddess. The power that she has given me is a feeling I’ll never forget.”
Previous song: “Uninvited,” by Alanis Morrisette; “The One That Got Away,” by Katy Perry; “Lucky,” by Britney Spears; “On the Radio,” by Donna Summer
Previous panel guesses: Camila Mendes, Lucy Hale, Vanessa Hudgens, Leighton Meester, Constance Wu, Auli’i Cravalho, Mandy Moore, Hillary Duff, Ashley Tisdale, Maggie Q
FOURTH PLACE: Sea Queen (Macy Gray)
Song: “Rescue Me,” by Fontella Bass
Panel guesses: Jenifer Lewis, Niecy Nash, Macy Gray, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu
Clue: “It’s been amazing. I’ve been learning so much. It’s so challenging, I feel like I’m a better entertainer now because of this show.”
Package voiceover: “Becoming the Sea Queen has been a real experience. I love my regal, commanding presence, but I’m gonna be honest with you. Wearing this costume hasn’t been all smooth sailing. I’m a seasoned performer but used to being myself on stage. Having to learn new songs and choreography all while wearing a giant mask has really stretched me as an entertainer. It is hot in there. It is so claustrophobic. And this while experience has made me feel nervous again in a way I haven’t in a long time. But I fought my way through it, and I’m still here. As the first Wild Card to make it to the finale in Masked Singer history, yes, I am looking forward to taking this mask off. But only after I win the crown for this Sea Queen.
Previous songs: “Love Potion No. 9,” by The Searchers; “To Be With You,” by Mr. Big
Previous panel guesses: Erykah Badu, Queen Latifah, Jenifer Lewis, Niecy Nash, Macy Gray, Viola Davis
“The Masked Singer” is produced by Fox Alternative Entertainment, with James Breen (who is also showrunner), Craig Plestis and Cannon as executive producers.
