The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 10

The tenth season of the American television series The Masked Singer premiered on Fox on September 27, 2023, following a preview special that aired on September 10, and concluded on December 20, 2023. The season was won by singer Ne-Yo as "Cow", with actor/singer John Schneider finishing second as "Donut", actress/singer Janel Parrish placing third as "Gazelle", and singer Macy Gray placing fourth as "Sea Queen".

Panelists and host

Nick Cannon, singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, television and radio personality Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, actor and comedian Ken Jeong, and recording artist Nicole Scherzinger all return as host and panelists for their tenth consecutive season.

The first episode included David Spade as an additional guest, the second episode included Le'Veon Bell ("Milkshake" from season eight), Antonio Gates, and DeSean Jackson as additional guests, the third episode included season six winner Jewel, Lance Bass, and Kate Flannery as additional guests, the fifth episode included season two finalist Adrienne Bailon-Houghton as an additional guest, the seventh episode included Trolls characters Queen Poppy and Branch as additional guests, the eighth episode included The Trammps and Taylor Dayne ("Popcorn" from season four) as additional guests, the ninth episode included Kelly Osbourne ("Ladybug" from season two) and Bret Michaels ("Banana" from season three) as additional guests, and the tenth episode included Hunter Hayes ("Astronaut" from season three) as an additional guest.

Production

On May 15, 2023, it was announced that the series was renewed for a tenth season. A promo revealing the season's premiere date featured letters inspired by previous costumes. A special preview episode aired on September 10, and featured previous contestants such as Michelle Williams and Rumer Willis, Joey Fatone and Bow Wow, and Victor Oladipo and Barry Zito, as well as a special unmasking.

The format features gimmicks from previous seasons. Smackdowns, which were featured in the second, third, and fourth seasons, returned with four contestants in each group, wild card contestants, which were featured during the fifth and sixth seasons, also return in the second episode of each group, and battle royales, which were featured in the eighth and previous seasons, return in the semi-final episodes. Additionally, the "Ding Dong Keep It On" Bell, which was featured in the previous season, returns for the semi-final episodes, where the judges can only save one contestant from elimination and move them directly to the finale.

The season also features the return of themed nights, a gimmick introduced in the previous seasons. The season includes themes such as "Trolls Night", "Harry Potter Night", "Elton John", "NFL Night", "One Hit Wonders", "Disco", "2000s Night", "I Wanna Rock", and "Soundtrack to My Life".

Contestants

The season features 16 contestants split across three groups. Group A features five contestants, while Groups B and C feature four contestants. Each group features one wild card contestant who joins the competition during the second episode of their respective group; each culminated in a semi-final episode where one contestant moved on to the season finale. The contestants in this season are reported to have a combined 40 medals, 33 Grammy nominations, seven Hall of Fame awards, three lifetime achievement awards, and over 50 tattoos.

Additionally, a special guest mask known as "Anonymouse" performed during the season kickoff special, who was later revealed to be singer/songwriter and actor, Demi Lovato.

Episodes

"Season 10 Kickoff" - September 10

Week 1 (September 27) "Season 10 Premiere"

Week 2 (October 4) - "NFL Night"

Guest performance: Le'Veon Bell performs "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas

Week 3 (October 11) - "2000s Night"

Guest performance: Jewel performs "Standing Still"

Week 4 (October 18) - "A Celebration of Elton John"

Guest performance: Panelist Robin Thicke performs "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John

Week 5 (October 25) - "Harry Potter Night"

Guest performance: Adrienne Bailon-Houghton performs "I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins

Week 6 (November 8) - "One Hit Wonders Night"

After being unmasked, de Lesseps performed her original song "Money Can't Buy You Class".

Week 7 (November 15) - "Trolls Night"

Guest performance: Poppy and Branch perform "Better Place" by NSYNC

Week 8 (November 29) - "Disco Night"

Guest performances: The Trammps perform "Disco Inferno" and Taylor Dayne performs "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor

After being unmasked, Parker Angel performed O-Town's hit song "All or Nothing".

Week 9 (December 6) - "I Wanna Rock"

Guest performance: Bret Michaels performs "Nothin' But a Good Time" by Poison

After being unmasked, Ginuwine performed his signature song "Pony" and Bach sang Skid Row's "Youth Gone Wild".

Week 10 (December 13) - "Soundtrack to My Life"

Guest performance: Hunter Hayes performs "Wanted"

Week 11 (December 20)

• Group performance: "What I Like About You" by The Romantics

After being unmasked, Gray performed her signature song "I Try", and Ne-Yo performed "Miss Independent".

Ratings

Notes

References