Fans were introduced to 15 of the 16 The Masked Singer characters on a special sneak peek 1 hour special which aired on FOX Sunday night (Sept 15). The special kicked off with a recap of last season’s show, which culminated in a win for The Monster, aka T-Pain.
An introduction to 15 of the 16 characters that will compete on the show followed. There were a couple of singing previews, but the format featured video package “clues” that follow the format of the show. Each segment also went behind the scenes, revealing how the intricate costumes are made.
FOX was careful not to give too much away, but each character intro included a couple of mild clues to chew on until the The Masked Singer premieres Wednesday September 25 at 8 pm on FOX.
In case you didn’t watch, I transcribed all the clues below. Think you can guess who is behind the mask?
Skeleton
Clues: “I’m the Skeleton and I’ve got a bone to pick with any contestant who think they’re going to win this competition. To my skeleton crew, just know I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven being here. And I’m gonna sing my heart out. If I had one.” “America, I’m sure you’re dying to know who I am. But I’m taking this secret back to the grave. SHHHH.”
Visuals: The numbers “4261” are written on a tombstone.
Fox
Clues: Some say I’m the most underestimated creature in the entire animal kingdom. Foxes are clever, strategic. And they’ll eat almost anything. Which is perfect, because this superhero is ready to devour the competition. The celebrity “conjured up the steampunk vibe and it’s signature glowing eye,” says Nick. “What does the fox say? Good luck figuring me out. Because I plan on staying in my fox hole til the very end.”
Visuals: FOX wakes up in a little bed in what looks like a den and later primps in front of a mirror. There’s a photo of an apartment building stuck in the side? I don’t know…
Ice Cream
Clues: “So here’s the scoop. I may be sweet, but I’m here to lick the competition and ice cream float to the finale. Because the last singer on that stage has got to be dessert. America I can’t tell you who I am, except that I’m made of sugar and dairy and I live for half of February.
Visual: Ice Cream is chilling in a house in the Hollywood Hills. Also, stands in front of a February calendar with pink hearts written on Feb 14.
Eagle
Clues: “Watch out. These other competitors are simply my prey, and they’ll be saluting me at the very end.” Nick says “The elaborate rock star wardrobe was specifically requested by the mystery celebrity, including its signature sun medallion and red bandana.” “I love the idea of wearing a mask because I know it allows me to live out my wildest dreams. And if you know an eagles body temperature, you may be hot on my tail. America, you may think you have an eagle eye, or an eagle ear, but you’ll never guess who I am.”
Visual: Lots of “rock star” imagery in the clip. Eagle rides a motorcycle in a green screened desert with no hands.
Tree
Clues: “To all of my tree huggers, I’m ready to light up the stage and leave the other singers in my shade. Not to be sappy, but I’m so excited to bring you the gift of joy through all of my delicious performances. The security guards on this show make me feel like precious cargo, protecting my identity 24/7. If we bring friends or family, even they have to be disguised so they’re not recognized. America, are you pining to know who I am? You’re not gonna tree-leave it.”
Visuals: Tree hangs out with the security guards backstage. We see a shot of six “friends and family” backstage. One is definitely black. Another might be too. The fourth and fifth shown look white.
Flamingo
Clues: “I’m ready to flamin-go all the way and rock this competition til my feathers fall off. The first time I saw my costume, I was blown away. It’s perfect for me. I love this mask as much as I love mascara. I may never put my foot down, but I’m still one fiery and fierce bird. It’s time to party like a flockstar. America, you’ll never figure me out. But I promise you’ll be tickled pink when I unmask.”
Visual: Flamingo has very big boobs, made obvious. She also dances around backstage.
Performance preview: Watch Flamingo sing “Lady Marmalade.” She’s obviously a singer.
Butterfly
Clues: “I’m flying high and ready to shake up the competition. I’m going to give my opponents butterflies in their stomachs. Are you ready to feel the butterfly effect? My giant wings and antennas make it really difficult to move around. I bump into everything. I just pray I don’t fall over. America I got my eye on you. But do you have the eye to figure out who I am?”
Visual: There is an emphasis on the word PRAY as she stands with her hands folded.
Performance Preview: She’s obviously a singer as she blasts “Bang Bang”
Penguin
THE MASKED SINGER: The Penguin. THE MASKED SINGER premieres Wednesday, Sept. 25 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. CR: Michael Becker/FOX. © 2019 FOX MEDIA LLC.Clues: “I might be cold as ice, but I’m bringing the heat. Will I be at the finale? Of course! I’ve already got my tux. Now I just have to get my hair done (photos of multicolored wigs!) America, can you guess who I am? Every time you think I’m getting warmer, I promise you are actually getting colder.
Visuals: As penguin talks about their hair, Polaroids of multi-colored hair dos flash across the screen.
Leopard
Clues: “When I stalk my prey, they never see it coming. And the creatures on this show won’t either. I’m ready to move mew-tains with my spectacular purr-formances.” Nick says, “The Elizabethan style contoured waist was specifically chosen to hide the natural silhouette of the mystery celebrity inside.” “The security here reminds me of the secret service. And I should know. I’ve been spotted with the president. America, do you think you know who I am? I’m not letting this cat out of the bag until I unmask on finale night.”
Visuals: Leopard speaks with an English accent that sounds fake. The clue about the president could mean the person was a contestant on the Apprentice. Also, the clue about hiding the person’s figure has me thinking they are actually a man.
ETA: Could Leopard be American Idol’s Clay Aiken? Heh. The “spotted with the president” clue (he competed on Celebrity Apprentice), the imperious attitude (duh) and fake English accent (employed during his turn in Broadway’s Spamalot) has me thinking maybe. In any case, I feel reasonably certain that Leopard is actually a man.
Egg
Clues: “To the other singers, you’re going to fried, scrambled, poached…you know, all the egg puns. I belong on this stage more than I belong with bacon. And I’ve hatched a plan to win the golden mask. As long as I don’t fall off the stage like Humpty Dumpty. As my mom always told me. ‘life has an expiration date. So always work hard for the first and last vowels of the alphabet.’ America I can’t tell you if I’m pro-singer. But I can tell you I’m pro team and you’ll never guess my identity.”
Visuals: Egg stands on stage in front of a red curtain holding a mic stand. Could be a comedian?
Rottweiler
Clues: “I’m here to be best in show. And my bark is just as big as my bite. I’m a total perfectionist and I’m going to work my tail off to earn your puppy love. America, roses are blue, violets are red, but do you have a clue who’s behind this doggie head?”
Visuals: The clip has an intercity theme that relates to the hip-hop costume.
Flower
Clues: “I blossom in every field I plant myself in. And I’m here to branch out yet again. I’m going to put my petals to the metal and make the other singers wilt. To put it delicately, I hope the audience loves me and loves them not. As much. America, good luck picking out my identity. When I take this beautiful mask off, you will be blown away.
Visuals: She likes roses? IDK
Thingamajig
Clues: “I’m kind of a thing-a-ma big deal. Welcome to my thingdom. I will tower over the other singers with my puzzling persona. I’m literally unlike anything you’ve ever seen or heard before. Don’t call me Chewbacca. Though we do celebrate together. America who do you thingamajig I am?”
Visuals: Thing shouts through a megaphone. He seems very tall! I’d say basketball player, except thingy can SANG!
Performance Preview:
Panda
Clues: “I’m here to create total pandemonium on that stage. I’m paws-itive I’ve got the moves and the energy to go all the way, and the victory will taste sweet, like bamboo. Especially the way I prepare it. It’s definitely hard to move around with this gigantic head on my shoulders. But I love new challenges, and pushing myself to the limit. America if you think you know who I am, trust me, I will have you bamboozled.”
Visuals: The last shot has Panda wandering around the forest like a New Age guru.
Black Widow
Clues: “If the other singers aren’t scared of spiders, just wait until they hear my voice. I’m here to crawl my way to the top and spin a web around the competition to win the golden mask. America, you can guess my identity all you want. But I’m going to leave you hanging by a thread until the very end.”
Visuals: A black widow tarot card fills the screen at one point.
Performance Preview
MYSTERY CHARACTER is Ladybug
Fans find out what character this is during next week’s Primetime Emmy broadcast beginning at 8 pm on FOX.
UPDATE: The “mystery character” is Ladybug. She was unveiled on the Emmy Awards red carpet!
Promo with more clues
The narrator rattles off a bunch of clues and guesses from Twitter. Any names mentioned at this point can be crossed off the list, of course.
