Let’s be real for a second. Season 9 of The Masked Singer felt like a fever dream, but in the best way possible. It was the season where the show finally found its groove again after a few clunky format changes. If you’re looking back at the season 9 Masked Singer reveals, you aren’t just looking for a list of names. You’re looking for those "no way" moments that made social media melt down. Remember when Dick Van Dyke waddled out as the Gnome? That wasn't just a reveal; it was a cultural event.
The season 9 Masked Singer reveals were a weird, wonderful mix of Broadway royalty, sports legends, and literal icons of the silver screen. It kicked off in February 2023 and kept us guessing through May, mostly because the "Champion of the Masked Singer" format meant someone went home almost every single week. It was brutal. It was fast. It was honestly a lot to keep track of.
The Big One: Medusa Takes the Golden Mask
Everyone thought she’d be unmasked weeks earlier. Medusa was the powerhouse of the season, but her journey wasn't exactly a straight line to the trophy. She actually got "saved" by the Ding Dong Keep It On Bell. When the mask finally came off during the finale, it was Bishop Briggs.
If you didn’t recognize the name immediately, you definitely knew her voice from the radio hit "River." The judges—Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, and Robin Thicke—were mostly floored. Bishop Briggs brought this raw, alternative grit to the stage that usually doesn't win on this show. Usually, it's the polished Broadway belts that take the cake, but Briggs’ version of "Elastic Heart" was a game-changer. She beat out David Archuleta, who was hiding under the Macaw mask.
David's reveal was emotional. Like, actually emotional. He talked openly about his journey with his identity and his exit from the Mormon church. It made the season 9 Masked Singer reveals feel a bit more human and a bit less like a giant fever dream involving talking stuffed animals.
Icons Only: The Legend of the Gnome
We have to talk about the Gnome. It was the premiere episode. People expected a B-list reality star or maybe a retired athlete. Instead, out pops Dick Van Dyke.
He was 97 years old.
Think about that. A 97-year-old man was inside a heavy, hot, fiberglass costume singing "When You’re Smiling." When he was unmasked, Nicole Scherzinger literally started crying. It’s arguably the biggest get in the history of the show. It set a bar for the rest of the season that was almost impossible to clear. How do you follow Mary Poppins' best friend?
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The Weirdest Season 9 Masked Singer Reveals You Forgot
The middle of the season was a blur of "wait, they're on this show?"
Take the Doll, for example. The costume was creepy-cool, and the voice was unmistakable to anyone who grew up on 80s rock. It was Dee Snider from Twisted Sister. He was having the time of his life, strutting around in high heels and a dress, proving that rockstars never really lose their edge.
Then there was the Mantis. Everyone thought it was an actor, and they were right. It was Lou Diamond Phillips. He didn't have the best pipes in the competition, but his stage presence was massive. That’s the thing about this show; sometimes the "reveal" is more about the personality than the vocal range.
- The California Roll: This was a harmony powerhouse. It wasn't one person; it was five. Pentatonix. They were so good it was almost unfair. They did a version of "Paparazzi" that probably should have won them the whole season, but they got knocked out just before the finale.
- The Dandelion: People were guessing Zooey Deschanel, but it ended up being Alicia Witt.
- The Lamp: This was Melissa Joan Hart. Sabrina the Teenage Witch herself. It was a huge nostalgia hit for the millennials watching.
Why This Season Felt Different
Usually, the show drags. We know it. You know it. But the season 9 format, while polarizing, forced the season 9 Masked Singer reveals to happen at a breakneck pace. We got the "Battle of the 80s" night, "WB Movie" night, and even a "Sesame Street" night.
On the Sesame Street night, we saw the Jackalope unmasked as Lele Pons. She’s a massive social media star, which showed the producers were trying to bridge the gap between "Old Hollywood" (Dick Van Dyke) and "New Media."
Then there was the Squirrel. She was charming, funny, and could actually sing. When the head came off, it was Malin Akerman. Most people know her from Watchmen or The Proposal, but she actually started out in a band. That’s the sweet spot for this show—celebs who have a "secret" talent they’ve been itching to show off without the baggage of their famous face.
The Full List of Who Was Who
Let's break down the rest of the roster because there were some deep cuts in there.
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The Gargoyle ended up being Los Angeles Chargers player Keenan Allen. Athletes usually struggle with the choreography, but he held his own. The Wolf was Michael Bolton. Honestly, nobody was surprised by that one. You can't hide a voice that sounds like a velvet-covered sandpaper factory.
The Polar Bear was Grandmaster Flash. That was a huge moment for hip-hop fans. To have a pioneer of the genre on the show was a major "get." The Night Owl was Debbie Gibson, a pop icon who replaced a contestant who had to drop out last minute due to illness. She learned her whole routine in about 24 hours. Professionals do professional things.
The Axolotl was Alexa Bliss from WWE. The Fairy was Holly Robinson Peete. The Moose was George Wendt (Norm! from Cheers). Every week felt like a weird trip through an IMDB database.
Decoding the Clues: What We Missed
Looking back at the season 9 Masked Singer reveals, the clues were actually pretty clever. For Medusa, they kept referencing "British" roots and "rebellion." Bishop Briggs was born in London to Scottish parents. For Macaw, the clues focused on "coming out" of a shell and "American" beginnings—a nod to David Archuleta's American Idol start and his personal journey.
The California Roll had clues about "bread" and "sushi," which seemed literal, but also "five-fold" hints pointing to the number of members in Pentatonix.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Future Watchers
If you’re trying to guess the reveals for future seasons based on what happened in Season 9, here is the playbook.
Check the Vocal Texture First
Don't listen to the high notes; listen to the "vocal fry" and the way they pronounce their 'R's. Michael Bolton and Bishop Briggs were giveaways because of their specific gravelly tones.
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Ignore the Height
The costumes are built with platforms. The Gnome looked short, but Dick Van Dyke isn't exactly a hobbit. The costumes are designed to distort body proportions.
Follow the "Themed Night" Logic
If it’s 80s night, expect someone who peaked in the 80s or has a deep connection to that era. The producers love synergy. Having Debbie Gibson on 80s night wasn't a coincidence.
Monitor Social Media Silences
When the show is filming (usually a few months before it airs), look for celebrities who suddenly stop posting "current" content or start posting a lot of "throwbacks." That's a classic sign they are in a studio in Los Angeles wearing a 40-pound foam avocado suit.
The season 9 Masked Singer reveals proved that the show still has the power to shock. Whether it's a 97-year-old legend or a modern alt-pop star, the spectacle remains the same. The best way to enjoy it is to stop being a cynic and just embrace the weirdness.
To dig deeper into the specific performances, you should head over to the official Masked Singer YouTube channel. They keep the "Reveal" clips organized by season. Watching the judges' reactions to Dick Van Dyke again is worth the three minutes of your life. It’s pure, unadulterated joy in a world that usually lacks it.
The next step is simple: go back and re-watch the California Roll's "Paparazzi." Even if you aren't a fan of the show, that arrangement is a masterclass in vocal harmony. It's the one moment from Season 9 that holds up as genuine art, even outside the context of a singing competition.