The Masked Singer turned reality TV upside down when it premiered in 2019. Now the reality competition is shaking things up for the new season. Fox unveiled a huge twist that changes the entire format of the show. Keep reading for all the details.

The Masked Singer Unveils Shocking Change For Season 14

The Masked Singer premiered at a time when singing competitions dominated reality TV. The contestants on the Fox show do sing. However, they aren’t up-and-coming artists looking for their big break. The show takes contestants from all entertainment genres – singing, acting, sports, etc. – gives them a microphone and a costume. The panelists and audience at home try to guess the identity of the celebrities.
The Masked Singer from Fox, sourced from YouTube
The show returns with a new season and a brand-new twist in 2026. Season 14 premieres on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. In a social media post, Fox revealed a unique and unexpected twist. Viewers at home will know the identify of one contestant and will follow their journey as far as it takes them. The contestant’s identity will remain a secret to the panelists and crew until the mask comes off.

Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora return as the panelists for Season 14. The network made the announcement about the twist in a social media video that featured a mysterious contestant in the show’s famous “Don’t Talk To Me” sweatshirt and face shield. The contestants wear the get-up any time they aren’t on the stage in costume.
Credit: The Masked Singer Instagram
“For the first time in The Masked Singer history, you’ll know who is under one of the masks. And you’ll be able to follow their journey as no one on the cast or crew knows,” the promo teased. More information about the twist will be revealed on  December 10th, 2025.”

Fans Hope It Means Fan Favorite Is Back

Unmasking one of the masked singers for the viewers is a big change from the show’s normal format. The twist divided fans of The Masked Singer. Some found the whole premise confusing, and frankly, ridiculous. One confused fan wrote, “Cast and crew won’t know… but they will because of editing and releasing the content?” about the twist.

Another added, “That’s defeats the purpose of the show! I like to guess along with the judges!” A third fan agreed, “So you’re eliminating the whole point of the show?”

But a lot of fans were intrigued by the twist. Many thought it meant one thing: the return of Nicole Scherzinger. She left the panel after Season 10 to star on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard. Since The Masked Singer films in Los Angeles, California, she couldn’t do both.

Fans have been clamoring for her to return to the Fox reality show. Many believe she’s the mysterious contestant under the mask.

“My guess is Nicole”
“Gwen Stefani or Nicole!”
“Based on the silhouette, I think it’s Nicole Scherzinger”
“Nicole back”
“its gotta be nicole. why else would they do this?”
“It is Nicole!”
“maybe it going be Nicole that is only reason I think of”
“$10 it’s Nicole”

Stay tuned for more details on the shocking twist for the new season of The Masked Singer. More will be revealed on Wednesday, December 10.