Masked Singer: the most surprising celebrity reveals ever

Who's that behind the mask?
Bee - Gladys Knight (US Season 1)
Raven - Ricki Lake (US Season 1)
Daisy - Kelis Rogers (UK Season 1)
Butterfly/Rockhopper - Michelle Williams (US Season 2/UK Season 3)
Leopard - Seal (US Season 2)
Elephant - Tony Hawk (US Season 3)
Bear - Sarah Palin (US Season 3)
Chandelier - Heather Small (UK Season 3)
Panda - Natalie Imbruglia (UK Season 3)
Squiggly Monster - Bob Saget (US Season 4)
Snail - Kermit the Frog (US Season 5)
Phoenix - Caitlyn Jenner (US Season 5)
Russian dolls - Hanson (US Season 5)
Pufferfish - Toni Braxton (US Season 6)
Unicorn - it's Ryan Reynolds from the South Korean show!
Who's that behind the mask?

'The Masked Singer' boasts years of success and many international seasons. Fans have battled it out online to be the person to guess the celebrity alongside the judges, and sometimes, they get it right. But, more often than not, the obscure costumes and songs leave many dumbstruck as to who actually is behind the mask. None have surprised us more than the reveal of the following celebs…

Photo: ITV

Bee - Gladys Knight (US Season 1)

The famed singer made it all the way to the finale and, by the time she had sung a range of solos, the judges (except Ken Jeong) had guessed her recognisable tone. But it was still surprising for many to see such an accomplished musical legend in the line up.

Photo: Fox

Raven - Ricki Lake (US Season 1)

Robin Thicke had guessed the identity of this Emmy-winning talk show host, but many others were shocked to find her underneath the black raven costume. It was a journey of strength for this household name as she re-emerged into the public eye after the heartbreaking death of her ex-husband.

Photo: Fox

Daisy - Kelis Rogers (UK Season 1)

Best known for her hit song ‘Milkshake’, the American singer dazzled many as she uncovered her mask to reveal her identity. With a staggering music past and Instagram following, it’s surprising many more didn’t guess who was behind the mask. Judge Rita Ora was delighted as she, as a Kelis superfan, guessed correctly.

Photo: ITV

Butterfly/Rockhopper - Michelle Williams (US Season 2/UK Season 3)

Yes, this Destiny’s child alum has surprised two audiences. The Gospel singer told the PA news agency: "I did the US version and when they asked me to do the UK version I said of course, because I think I have the strategy now, it gave me an advantage." She certainly had the advantage and judges were guessing the likes of Jamelia, Fergie and Nicole Scherzinger.

Photo: ITV

Leopard - Seal (US Season 2)

Although his performance of ‘Big Spender’ by Shirley Bassey finally gave his identity away, he had the judges and public fooled for weeks. Seal really got into character as the eccentric, royal Leopard. Another legend to be revealed by the show.

Photo: Fox

Elephant - Tony Hawk (US Season 3)

Hawk, AKA Birdman, is one of the last people you would think of to join a singing show. The professional skater joined for a bit of fun, but fooled everyone with his obscure choice to join The Masked Singer. His rendition of ‘Friday I’m in Love’ by The Cure was memorable.

Photo: Fox

Bear - Sarah Palin (US Season 3)

The third season in the US saw a number of surprises such as Hawk and even Dionne Warwick. But none were so surprising as the appearance of Sarah Palin. The former governor of Alaska and Vice Presidential candidate revealed herself after singing 'Baby Got Back' by Sir Mix-a-Lot. Her reason for joining the show? “It’s what America needs right now”…

Photo: Fox

Chandelier - Heather Small (UK Season 3)

The legendary lead singer of the group M People was the first voted out of the season. According to The Mirror, she said: "I wanted to see if I could, after 30 years of singing, disguise my voice, put on a different persona. And I had that shock of a reveal… I didn't make it to the end but I still feel like I won because the panel's reaction was priceless."

Photo: ITV

Panda - Natalie Imbruglia (UK Season 3)

The Australian-British singer was crowned the winner of the show, beating Charlotte Church as Mushroom in second place and Westlife star Mark Feehily as Robobunny in third place. The ‘Torn’ singer was apparently ‘terrified’ her toddler son would break her cover. Right around the time of the competition, the little guy had started to talk, and he said the word ‘Panda’.

Photo: ITV

Squiggly Monster - Bob Saget (US Season 4)

Although the judges guessed this one correctly by majority, it was still surprising for many to see the American actor, stand-up comedian and television host take such an obscure step into the world of bizarre singing competitions. He told Entertainment Weekly that it was "a really fun experience" and that he "truly loved it." Saget appeared on the show two years before his untimely death.

Photo: Fox

Snail - Kermit the Frog (US Season 5)

Gobsmacked. The star of the muppets just wasn’t on anyone’s radar. You have to think of the poor person voicing the green puppet, squished up inside the shell of the mollusc. It was hilarious, however, and Kermit even said he would "never hear the end of this from Miss Piggy."

Photo: Fox

Phoenix - Caitlyn Jenner (US Season 5)

The description of 'Olympics gold medalist and reality TV star' already gave the game away to a few of the judges but Ken changed his mind last minute, to which Jenner branded him an ‘idiot’. After being unmasked, Caitlin revealed her family’s thoughts on the matter: "My kids have always known dad’s a little crazy."

Photo: Fox (colorisation Showbizz Daily)

Russian dolls - Hanson (US Season 5)

The boy band that every young girl had posters of on their walls were hiding inside a set of enormous Russian dolls. What else made this reveal such a surprise was the appearance of a fourth ‘fake’ doll that made many think it was a band of 4.

Photo: Fox

Pufferfish - Toni Braxton (US Season 6)

No one expected a seven-time Grammy award winner to be booted out on the second episode. The identity of this singer was difficult to determine as, on top of the costume mask, she also wore a safety mask to protect herself from COVID-19. Host Nick Cannon called her elimination the biggest upset in ‘The Masked Singer’ history.

Photo: Fox

Unicorn - it's Ryan Reynolds from the South Korean show!

Ryan Reynolds was revealed as one of the celebrities making an appearance on the South Korean version of 'The Masked Singer.' He stopped off on the set for his 2018 promotional tour of 'Deadpool 2.' In true Ryan Reynolds fashion, he dressed as a unicorn with a cape and belted out ‘Tomorrow’ from the musical ‘Annie’.

Photo: Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation