SPOILER ALERT: Do not read further if you have not seen 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, making him the last celebrity to be unmasked this season. Ne-Yo won with “Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson; “Take a Bow” by Rihanna before he was revealed as Cow.
“Dukes of Hazzard” star John Schneider took second place of the season with his role as Donut. In third place was Pretty Little Liars star (and Moanalua High School alum) Janel Parrish, apparently Gazelle. And the fourth, also unmasked on Wednesday night, featured Grammy winner Macy Gray as Sea Queen.
“I have been very fortunate to have had a lot of success in my career. And believe me, I'm grateful. But even though I've won Grammys, I've never seen this moment on TV,” Ne-Yo/Cow said in his pre-recorded “The Masked Singer” package. “I never got around to giving my acceptance speech. And most importantly, I never had the opportunity to give credit to the person who made it all possible: my mother. I have helped so many other artists achieve their dreams and make their big moments possible. But sometimes I feel like I haven't really had my moment. To be recognized not only as an artist but also as a creator. But I definitely felt that glow here… I hope that when I win the Golden Masked Trophy, I can finally read that acceptance speech after all these years.”
Schneider sparked great emotion among the show's panelists — especially Ken Jeong — when he spoke candidly about his wife's death earlier this year and how “The Masked Singer” was part of his healing process.
“It was a really good experience being here because most people don’t know that I like to sing,” said Schneider-as-Donut. “My wife said, 'I don't understand.' You made 18, 19 albums. Have five No. 1 songs. Ten or 15 top ten songs. There was a lot of stuff, but no one knows you sing. A few years ago she said, 'Hey baby, we're putting you on The Masked Singer.' Every performance was a love letter for her. And I know she was with me every step of the way on that stage.”
Among the panelists, Ne-Yo was found out to be Robin Thicke and Nicole Scherzinger's cow. Ken Jeong said it was Usher, while Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg chose Billy Porter.
For Donut, McCarthy Wahlberg found out it was John Schneider. Scherzinger thought it was Engelbert Humperdinck, while Thicke said Tom Jones, with Jeong agreeing.
At Gazelle, no one suspected Parrish. Thicke and McCarthy Wahlberg named Ashley Tisdale. Jeong thought it was Constance Wu. Scherzinger chose Gina Rodriguez.
As for Sea Queen, it was perhaps a little too obvious – which is why all four panelists agreed. Scherzinger got it right first when he named Macy Gray, and Thicke, McCarthy Wahlberg and Jeong all agreed to the same thing.
The singer voted out first that night was Macy Gray as Sea Queen. Janel Parrish as Gazelle competed next, while John Schneider as Donut and Ne-Yo as Cow each sang another 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 and Metta World Peace as Cuddly 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, than the celebrities of season 10 that have been unmasked so far.
The finale of “The Masked Singer” began with the four finalists singing “What I Like About You” by the Romantics.
“The Masked Singer” had a new format this season with three groups followed by battle royale semifinal episodes. The season also features the return of Wild Card contestants, with each group being introduced to a Wild Card, and the “Ding Dong Keep It On Bell” was back in the battle royale semi-final episodes where the judges selected Gazelle from elimination .
Featuring a total of sixteen celebrity singers, Season 10 featured new costumes including “Donut”, “Anteater”, “Hawk”, “Hibiscus”, “Diver”, “Gazelle”, “Royal Hen”, “Husky”, “Tiki” and ” Pickle,” “Rubber Ducky,” “Candelabra,” “Cow,” “Sea Queen,” “Anonymouse,” and a life-sized “S'More.” Marking the show's 10th appearance, celebrities who had previously been exposed since the show's inception also returned. According to the show, Season 10 contestants “collectively have 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” in conjunction with the November release of DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls Band Together”; a “Harry Potter Night” that airs Halloween week; “NFL Night”; “One Hit Wonders”; “Disco”; “Night of the 2000s”; “I wanna Rock”; and “Soundtrack of my Life.” Returning for season ten are host Nick Cannon and panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke.
Here were the final appearances of this week's episode:
Cow, “The Masked Singer”) (Michael Becker / Fox) Pete Dadds
WINNER: Cow (Ne-Yo)
song: “Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson; “Take a Bow” by Rihanna
Panel estimates: Ne-Yo, Leslie Odom Jr., Taye Diggs, Usher, Billy Porter
Notice: “I was a fan of this show before I came here. I always wanted to do the show. And so this is already a dream come true. I have fun.”
Packet voiceover: “I originally decided to become the cow because I thought it would be a super fun way to throw my friends on the panel off my scent. But even though I'm used to wearing different hats, staying here challenged me in a whole new way. I had to relearn how to fully express myself. From the way I move to the way I dance. When you reach my level of success and fame, there are certain expectations and pressure to perform the same as usual. It was great fun to be able to take on this whole new personality. In a way, the cow has also become a tribute to my mother, who showed me that it was okay to be strong and sensitive. That's why I'm going to bring the same ferocity to this finale tonight. 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
Donut, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Becker / Fox)
SECOND: Donut (John Schneider)
song: “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker; “Drift Away” by Dobie Gray
Panel estimates: Engelbert Humperdink, Tom Jones, John Schneider
Notice: “Actually, it was my beautiful wife who first said she wanted me to be on this show. It gave me great pleasure to be able to check this off her wish list.”
Packet voiceover: “I came to this competition at the lowest point in my life. But I'll tell you, when I saw the donut mask, his smile made me happy in a way I hadn't felt in a long time. I knew right then that the donut was what I needed to heal from my wife's death. I know she's having a lot of fun with me in this donut costume. Because every Saturday morning I made the coffee and my wife went out and got donuts – an apple slice especially for me. In fact, her nickname to me was “Fritter.” I still miss her, more than I can say. But when I put on this costume every night, I can remember all the beautiful memories we had together. And tonight, under this mask, I’m finally smiling again, like I 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 note: hair and spices. “I am experienced and have enjoyed it for several generations.”
Previous panel guesses: Sylvester Stallone, Jeff Bridges, Tom Jones, Stanley Tucci, Liam Neeson, Engelbert Humperdinck, John Schneider
Gazelle, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Becker / Fox) Pete Dadds
THIRD PLACE: Gazelle (Janel Parrish)
song: “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol
Panel estimates: Camila Mendes, Leighton Meester, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens, Auli'I Cravalho, Gina Rodriguez, Constance Wu
A notice: “Being the Gazelle helped me find my voice and my confidence in singing. Now I never want to stop.”
Packet voiceover: “I'd be surprised if anyone in the story of 'Masked Singer' suited their costume better than I did the gazelle.” I've mentioned in the past that deer are one to me because of the loved one I lost have meaning. What I didn't say is that I actually have a deer tattoo for this person with flowers growing from its antlers. When I saw the sketch that looked so similar to my tattoo, I broke down shaking and sobbing. It just felt like fate. Now that I've been in the Gazelle mask for a while, I can definitely say that she feels like the alter ego of mine that I've been longing for. When I put them on, all my insecurities and fears disappear. I've been given a second chance to put on this mask and I won't waste it. Transforming into a gazelle allowed me to truly discover the goddess within me. The strength she gave me is a feeling I will 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
Sea Queen, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Becker / Fox) Pete Dadds
FOURTH PLACE: Sea Queen (Macy Gray)
song: “Rescue Me” by Fontella Bass
Panel estimates: Jenifer Lewis, Niecy Nash, Macy Gray, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu
A notice: “It was great. I learned so much. It’s so challenging that I feel like I’m a better entertainer now because of this show.”
Packet voiceover: “Becoming the Sea Queen was a real experience. I love my regal, commanding presence, but I'll be honest with you. Wearing this costume didn't go entirely smoothly. I'm an experienced artist, but I'm used to being myself on stage. Learning new songs and choreography while wearing a giant mask really challenged me as an entertainer. It's hot in there. It's so claustrophobic. And this experience made me nervous again in a way I hadn't felt in a long time. But I fought through it and I'm still here. As the first wild card in Masked Singer history to make it to the finals, I'm excited to take off this mask. 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.