The Masked Singer Season 14 Premiere: Which Two Celebrities Were Unmasked
The Masked Singer kicked off season 14 with a full-throttle premiere featuring five head-to-head matchups and the season’s first double unmasking. Host Nick Cannon returned alongside judges Ken Jeong, Rita Ora, Robin Thicke and Jenny McCarthy to evaluate 15 mysterious contestants vying for the crown.
The episode opened with a high-energy group number from the K-Pop Demon Hunters. Judges and audience members sang along as the competition got underway—Nick teased that one of this season’s performers may be the most celebrated celebrity ever to appear on the show.
Galaxy Girl vs Handyman
Galaxy Girl clues: Galaxy Girl’s package hinted at early success, a return to the spotlight and a “meteoric rise.” References included Los Angeles and a cryptic nod to Friday the 13th.
Performance: Galaxy Girl sang “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl Girl” by Chappell Roan. Her pop-oriented delivery and solid tone suggested a capable vocalist, though her range felt limited. Judges praised her stage energy and international flair; Rita guessed Lindsay Lohan, Jenny offered Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ken suggested Emma Stone.
Handyman clues: Handyman’s clues painted him as a tough, scrappy West Coast character who later moved in circles with famous people. The letters “ACE” were shown as a hint.
Performance: Handyman performed “Shake Your Groove Thing” by Peaches and Herb in a talk-singing, gravelly style that leaned toward performance over vocal polish. The clues suggested a celebrity who wasn’t primarily known as a singer; panelists guessed Idris Elba (Ken), Tone Loc (Robin) and Vin Diesel (Rita). Galaxy Girl won the voting round; Handyman was placed in jeopardy.
Pugcasso vs Queen Corgi
Pugcasso clues: Clues referenced taking over a family business, baseball imagery and a climb from obscurity to prominence—“home plate” and “Big Ben” were among the hints, plus references to painting success.
Performance: Pugcasso delivered “Ordinary” by Alex Warren, surprising listeners with a strong tone and emotional delivery despite the costume. The panel guessed Dan Reynolds (Ken), Darren Criss (Rita) and Ryan Tedder (Robin).
Queen Corgi clues: Queen Corgi’s clues suggested someone who left college to pursue influence or entertainment, with scientific or “physics” imagery and a narrative of trailblazing.
Performance: Queen Corgi tackled “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from Funny Girl, taking on a challenging Streisand classic. The performance showed effort and stage presence but revealed limitations in vocal technique; panelists guessed Nikki Blonsky (Rita), Maya Rudolph (Ken) and Aidy Bryant (Jenny). Pugcasso won the matchup, sending Queen Corgi into jeopardy.
Scarab vs Croissants
Scarab clues: Scarab’s package emphasized a long, decorated career—trophies, gold and connections to iconic figures. The imagery suggested legacy-level success and mainstream recognition.
Performance: Scarab delivered a powerful rendition of Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” demonstrating strong vocal ability and control. Panelists floated guesses including Whoopi Goldberg (Ken), Viola Davis (Jennifer) and Sheryl Lee Ralph (Robin).
Croissants clues: The Croissants appear to be a duo characterized as “upper crust” socialites whose fortunes fell. Their package drew attention because it seemed to hint at controversial, high-profile figures involved in legal trouble—panelists voiced strong opinions and specific guesses during the segment.
Performance: The Croissants performed “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley, leaning into a theatrical, fame-driven presentation more focused on spectacle than vocal excellence. Panelists offered guesses such as Snooki and The Situation (Robin), the Chrisleys (Jenny) and Spencer and Heidi (Rita). Scarab won the matchup; the Croissants were placed in jeopardy.
Snow Cone vs Stingray
Snow Cone clues: Snow Cone’s clues suggested a background in modeling, a breakout TV role on a hit show and a period of being sidelined in Hollywood before attempting a comeback.
Performance: Snow Cone sang “When I Grow Up” by Pussycat Dolls but struggled with pitch and vocal confidence. The panel guessed Mischa Barton (Jenny), Nicole Richie (Rita) and Taylor Momsen (Ken).
Stingray clues: Stingray’s clues pointed to a socialite presence—appearances at high-profile events like the Met Gala and connections to well-known friends and family members in the spotlight.
Performance: Stingray performed “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees with a smooth, relaxed arrangement that matched his pleasant, easy-listening tone. Judges guessed Lenny Kravitz (Ken), Jaden Smith (Jenny) and Lil’ Romeo (Rita). Stingray won the pairing; Snow Cone landed in jeopardy.
Googly Eyes vs Cat Witch
Googly Eyes clues: Googly Eyes’ clues suggested massive star power—monster hits, mainstream success and cross-industry recognition. Food-related hints like bagels and cake mix also appeared.
Performance: Googly Eyes performed an energetic take on “Turn Down for What,” favoring shouty, high-energy delivery over conventional vocal technique. Panelists suggested a Latin or crossover artist; guesses included David Ortiz (Ken), Daddy Yankee (Robin) and Wesley Snipes (Rita).
Cat Witch clues: During the break, Kylie Cantrell revealed she was Cat Witch—an unusual strategy that exposed one contestant’s identity to viewers but not the judges. The clues highlighted a longtime desire to perform, soda pop imagery and an acting background.
Performance: Cat Witch (Kylie Cantrell) demonstrated professional-level performance skills, reflecting her acting and singing experience in the Descendants franchise. Panelists guessed Charli D’Amelio (Rita), Addison Rae (Jenny) and Lisa from BLACKPINK (Ken). Cat Witch won the head-to-head; Googly Eyes fell into jeopardy.
Final Results and Unmaskings
At the end of the night, the five contestants in jeopardy lined up for the first unmaskings of season 14. The first celebrity revealed was Googly Eyes: the judges’ guesses had included several names, but the robot-like persona was unmasked as David Ortiz, the beloved former baseball star known as “Big Papi.”
The other unmasking of the night involved the Croissants. Although the duo was announced as the second act to leave, the show ended on a cliffhanger and the Croissants’ identities will not be revealed until next week. Judges had speculated heavily during the episode, naming a range of possible duos, but viewers will need to return for the follow-up episode to learn who was behind the Croissants masks.
Overall, the premiere balanced strong vocal performances with theatrical moments and puzzling clue packages, setting the stage for a competitive and unpredictable season of The Masked Singer.