Honestly, looking back at Season 4 of The Masked Singer, it feels like a fever dream from the end of 2020. Remember when we were all stuck inside and the biggest drama in our lives was whether a giant mushroom could actually be a Grammy-nominated soul singer? It was a weird time. But man, that season delivered some of the most genuinely shocking moments in the show's history.
From a legendary rapper getting booted in the first hour to an Oscar nominee literally quitting on live TV because he was too hot, the masked singer season 4 reveals in order tell a story of high-stakes chaos and surprising vocal talent. You've got actual icons like Paul Anka and Taylor Dayne mixed with athletes and a talk show host who basically gave up on hiding her voice within five seconds.
Let's get into who went home when, and why some of these unmaskings still have fans talking years later.
The Early Exits and That Unprecedented Self-Unmasking
The season kicked off on September 23, 2020, and the show wasted zero time. Most people expected a slow burn, but the producers threw us a curveball immediately.
1. The Dragon: Busta Rhymes
The very first person to go was the Dragon. It was almost a crime. I mean, you have Busta Rhymes—a literal hip-hop deity—and he’s out in week one? His performance of "Mama Said Knock You Out" was great, but the panel actually guessed him pretty quickly because, well, it’s Busta. You can’t hide that growl. Nicole Scherzinger was on it from the jump.
2. The Gremlin: Mickey Rourke
This was the "did that really just happen?" moment of the season. Mickey Rourke, dressed as a fuzzy purple Gremlin, finished singing "Stand by Me" and basically said, "I'm done." He didn't wait for a vote. He didn't wait for the dramatic "Take it off!" chant. He just started ripping the head off because he was sweating too much. Nick Cannon looked genuinely terrified for a second. It remains the only time a contestant has just unmasked themselves because they felt like it.
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3. The Giraffe: Brian Austin Green
By week three, we lost the Giraffe. This was a fun one because Brian Austin Green actually did a decent job hiding his identity. He performed "Let’s Get It Started," and while the "90210" clues were there, he wasn't the first name on everyone's lips.
Moving Into the Mid-Season Grooves
As we hit October and November, the competition got significantly tighter. This is where the "professional singers" started to separate themselves from the "celebrities having a laugh."
4. The Baby Alien: Mark Sanchez
The Baby Alien was a technical marvel because it was the show’s first-ever puppet costume. It was super elaborate. When the mask came off and revealed former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez, the panel was floored. No one had "New York Jets star" on their bingo card for a puppet singing Imagine Dragons.
5. The Lips: Wendy Williams
Kinda iconic, kinda messy. Wendy Williams as the Lips was exactly what you'd expect. She sang "Native New Yorker," giggled through half the lyrics, and didn't even try to change her speaking voice. It was a short-lived run, but she definitely brought the personality.
6. The Squiggly Monster: Bob Saget
This unmasking hits differently now. The late, great Bob Saget was under the Squiggly Monster mask, and he was clearly having the time of his life. He wasn't the best singer in the world, but his rendition of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" was pure Saget energy. Seeing him peel off that many-armed costume was a highlight of the year.
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The Massive Double Eliminations and the "Super Six"
By late November, the show started trimming the fat fast. We got some heavy hitters going home in back-to-back reveals that felt a little premature for some of them.
7. & 8. The Snow Owls: Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black
The show's first-ever duo! They spent the whole time inside a giant egg. It was actually pretty romantic, which made sense once we found out they were a real-life married couple. They lost a "smackdown" to Popcorn, which was a tough break because their harmonies on "The Prayer" were genuinely beautiful.
9. & 10. Whatchamacallit and Serpent
November 18 was a brutal night. Lonzo Ball (Whatchamacallit) and Dr. Elvis Francois (Serpent) both went home.
- Whatchamacallit: Lonzo was surprisingly good at the rap segments, but he couldn't keep up with the powerhouses.
- Serpent: This was a fan favorite. Dr. Elvis, the "Singing Surgeon" who went viral during the pandemic, had a voice that rivaled the pros.
11. The Broccoli: Paul Anka
Yes, the man who wrote "My Way" for Frank Sinatra was dressed as a piece of broccoli. He was 79 at the time and still out-sang half the people on the radio today. He made it all the way to the Group C finals before being unmasked on Thanksgiving night.
The Semifinals: The Heartbreak of the Jellyfish, Popcorn, and Seahorse
The "Super Six" episode was probably the most talented lineup the show has ever had. Three people went home in one night, and all of them could have won a different season.
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- 12. Popcorn (Taylor Dayne): A literal 80s legend. Her voice is unmistakable, and she fought hard, but she was up against some titans.
- 13. Jellyfish (Chloe Kim): This was the biggest shocker for me. Most people thought it was a pro singer, but it was Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Chloe Kim. She was incredible.
- 14. Seahorse (Tori Kelly): This is still the most controversial elimination in Masked Singer history. Tori Kelly is widely considered one of the best vocalists of her generation. When she was unmasked in the semifinals, the internet basically broke. People couldn't believe she didn't make the finale.
The Big Finale: Masked Singer Season 4 Reveals in Order
On December 16, 2020, we finally got the three people who outlasted everyone else. The finale felt like a proper concert.
15. The Crocodile (3rd Place): Nick Carter
The Backstreet Boy was hidden under a pink glittery crocodile suit. He was amazing all season, especially with his rock covers. He brought a lot of vulnerability to the role, talking about his kids and his struggles in the spotlight.
16. The Mushroom (Runner-Up): Aloe Blacc
Aloe Blacc was the ultimate chameleon. He changed his voice almost every week—going from high-pitched soulful notes to deep, raspy tones. Most of the season, people were convinced he was a woman or a Broadway star. Coming in second to the Sun is nothing to be ashamed of.
17. The Sun (Winner): LeAnn Rimes
From the very first note of "Cuz I Love You" in episode one, everyone knew the Sun was the one to beat. LeAnn Rimes was just on another level. Her performance of Billie Eilish’s "When the Party’s Over" in the finale was probably the best vocal performance the show has ever seen. She took home the Golden Mask Trophy, and honestly, it wasn't even close.
What to Do With This Info
If you're a die-hard fan looking to catch up or just settling a bet with a friend, here is the most efficient way to dive back into the Season 4 magic:
- Watch the "Seahorse vs. Sun" Clips: If you want to see the peak of the show's talent, go find the Seahorse and Sun performances on YouTube. It’s basically a masterclass in pop vocals.
- Check Out the Soundtrack: Many of these artists, like LeAnn Rimes and Aloe Blacc, released the covers they performed on the show as official singles later.
- Look for the Clues Again: Now that you know the masked singer season 4 reveals in order, go back and watch the clue packages for the Sun. The references to her starting her career as a child (the "Northern Star") make way more sense now.
The season proved that the show wasn't just about D-list celebs in foam suits; it was a legitimate platform for some of the biggest voices in music to perform without the baggage of their public personas.
For your next rewatch, pay close attention to the Mushroom's clue packages—they are widely considered some of the most difficult and well-crafted "misdirects" the show has ever produced. Knowing it's Aloe Blacc makes those hints about "connecting with Robin Thicke" (they worked on music together years prior) much more satisfying.