The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 7 explained

Season Name:	The Masked Singer: The Good, The Bad, and The Cuddly
Bgcolor:	DAF7FA
Starring:	Robin Thicke Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg Ken Jeong Nicole Scherzinger
Module1:	Host: Nick Cannon Num Contestants: 15 Winner: Teyana Taylor as "Firefly" Runner Up: Hayley Orrantia as "Ringmaster"
Num Episodes:	12
Network:	Fox

The seventh season of the American television series The Masked Singer (also known as The Masked Singer: The Good, The Bad, and The Cuddly) premiered on Fox on March 9, 2022,^[1] following a sneak peek episode that aired on February 20,^[2] and concluded on May 18, 2022. The season was won by singer/songwriter Teyana Taylor as "Firefly", with actor/singer Hayley Orrantia finishing second as "Ringmaster", and actor/singer Cheyenne Jackson placing third as "Prince".

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 returned as host and panelists.

Guest panelists in the season included Eric Stonestreet in the second episode, Nicole Byer in the fifth episode, and Leslie Jordan in the sixth episode.^[3]

Unlike the previous three seasons, there were no first impression guesses made by the panelists, and the Golden Ear Trophy was not awarded for the first time since its introduction in the fourth season.^[4]

Contestants

The season features 15 contestants split into three teams known as "The Good", "The Bad", and "The Cuddly".^[5] This is the first season since the fourth season not to feature wild card contestants, but also being the first to feature teams.^[6]

"Hydra" is the first three-headed costume in the series while also sporting three legs due to its portrayers as well as featuring smoke-breathing features and a large size.^{[7] [8]} "Cyclops" is the largest costume to date.^[9]

Results

Stage name	Celebrity	Occupation(s)	Episodes
1			2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	11
Round 1			Round 2			Round 3
bgcolor=#DE96CD		Firefly	Teyana Taylor	Singer/songwriter	bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	RISK	bgcolor=#F888FD	WIN	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=gold	WINNER
bgcolor=#DE96CD	G	Ringmaster	Hayley Orrantia	Actor/singer	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=#F888FD	WIN	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=silver	RUNNER-UP
bgcolor=#DE96CD	G	Prince	Cheyenne Jackson	Actor/singer	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=#F888FD	WIN	bgcolor=tan	THIRD
bgcolor=#97D89D		Queen Cobras	En Vogue	R&B group	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
bgcolor=#E5D58E		Space Bunny	Shaggy	Singer	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	RISK	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
bgcolor=#E5D58E	C	Baby Mammoth	Kirstie Alley	Actor	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
bgcolor=#97D89D	B	Jack in the Box	Rudy Giuliani	Politician	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
bgcolor=#E5D58E	C	Miss Teddy	Jennifer Holliday	Singer/actor	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
bgcolor=#DE96CD	G	Armadillo	Duane Chapman	TV personality	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	RISK	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
bgcolor=#97D89D	B	Hydra	Penn & Teller	Magicians/comedians	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
bgcolor=#E5D58E	C	Lemur	Christie Brinkley	Model/actor	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
bgcolor=#E5D58E	C	Thingamabob	Jordan Mailata	NFL player	bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
bgcolor=#97D89D	B	Cyclops	Jorge Garcia	Actor	bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
bgcolor=#97D89D	B	Ram	Joe Buck	Sportscaster	bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
bgcolor=#DE96CD	G	McTerrier		Pastry chef	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT

Episodes

Week 1 (March 9)

+ Performances on the first episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Thingamabob	"Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
2	McTerrier	"Working for the Weekend" by Loverboy	Duff Goldman	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
3	Cyclops	"My Sacrifice" by Creed		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
4	Firefly	"Ain't Nobody" by Chaka Khan		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
5	Ram	"I Want You to Want Me" by Cheap Trick		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE

Week 2 (March 16)

+ Performances on the second episode		Stage name	Song	Result
1	Firefly	"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" by Michael Jackson	RISK
2	Cyclops	"Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley	SAFE
3	Ram	"Learn to Fly" by Foo Fighters	RISK
4	Thingamabob	"Perfect" by Ed Sheeran	SAFE
Duel			Identity	Result
1	Ram	"Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver	Joe Buck	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
2	Firefly	"God Is a Woman" by Ariana Grande		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE

Week 3 (March 23)

• Group performance: "I Got You (I Feel Good)" by James Brown

+ Performances on the third episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Thingamabob	"Classic" by MKTO	Jordan Mailata	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
2	Cyclops	"Flashdance (What a Feeling)" by Irene Cara	Jorge Garcia	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
3	Firefly	"Attention" by Charlie Puth		bgcolor=#F888FD	WIN

Week 4 (March 30)

+ Performances on the fourth episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Miss Teddy	"Tell It to My Heart" by Taylor Dayne		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
2	Hydra	"Hey, Soul Sister" by Train		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
3	Ringmaster	"The Climb" by Miley Cyrus		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
4	Lemur	"I Feel the Earth Move" by Carole King	Christie Brinkley	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
5	Armadillo	"Secret Agent Man" by Johnny Rivers		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE

Week 5 (April 6)

+ Performances on the fifth episode		Stage name	Song	Result
1	Ringmaster	"Super Bass" by Nicki Minaj	SAFE
2	Armadillo	"I Fought the Law" by The Bobby Fuller Four	RISK
3	Hydra	"Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top	RISK
4	Miss Teddy	"Tell Me You Love Me" by Demi Lovato	SAFE
Duel			Identity	Result
1	Armadillo	"Walking the Dog" by Rufus Thomas		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
2	Hydra	"Two Princes" by Spin Doctors	Penn and Teller	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT

Week 6 (April 13)

• Group performance: "One Way or Another" by Blondie

+ Performances on the sixth episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Miss Teddy	"Mercy" by Duffy	Jennifer Holliday	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
2	Armadillo	"Amazing Grace"	Duane Chapman	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
3	Ringmaster	"I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton		bgcolor=#F888FD	WIN

Week 7 (April 20)

+ Performances on the seventh episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Prince	"La Copa de la Vida" by Ricky Martin		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
2	Baby Mammoth	"Walkin' After Midnight" by Patsy Cline		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
3	Queen Cobras	"Good as Hell" by Lizzo		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
4	Jack in the Box	"Bad to the Bone" by George Thorogood & the Destroyers	Rudy Giuliani	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
5	Space Bunny	"Jump in the Line" by Harry Belafonte		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE

Week 8 (April 27)

+ Performances on the eighth episode		Stage name	Song	Result
1	Queen Cobras	"I Say a Little Prayer" by Aretha Franklin	SAFE
2	Space Bunny	"All Night Long (All Night)" by Lionel Richie	RISK
3	Baby Mammoth	"The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" by Cher	RISK
4	Prince	"Lay Me Down" by Sam Smith	SAFE
Duel			Identity	Result
1	Baby Mammoth	"Me Too" by Meghan Trainor	Kirstie Alley	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
2	Space Bunny	"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" by Culture Club		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE

Week 9 (May 4)

• Group performance: "Roar" by Katy Perry

+ Performances on the ninth episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Prince	"Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder		bgcolor=#F888FD	WIN
2	Space Bunny	"Now That We Found Love" by Heavy D & the Boyz ft. Aaron Hall	Shaggy	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
3	Queen Cobras	"Leave the Door Open" by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak & Silk Sonic	En Vogue	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT

Week 10 (May 18)

+ Performances on the eleventh episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
Round 1
1	Prince	"Viva la Vida" by Coldplay	Cheyenne Jackson	bgcolor=tan	THIRD PLACE
2	Firefly	"Bad Girl" by Usher		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
3	Ringmaster	"Gravity" by Sara Bareilles		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
Round 2
4	Firefly	"Lost Without U" by Robin Thicke	Teyana Taylor	bgcolor=gold	WINNER
5	Ringmaster	"Waking Up in Vegas" by Katy Perry	Hayley Orrantia	bgcolor=silver	RUNNER-UP

Controversy

Reports prior to the season premiere identified that controversial figure Rudy Giuliani was one of the masked performers during this season, reportedly in one of the first episodes taped. Giuliani's unmasking reportedly prompted panelists Jeong and Thicke to storm off the set as an act of protest,^[10] though later reports indicated that Thicke only left to check on Jeong.^[11] After Giuliani was not unmasked in the premiere episode, a Fox Entertainment vice president told Newsweek, "...like most productions, the groups are not necessarily taped sequentially, so we don't always know the order they will air," with Newsweek adding on that his appearance was not cut from the show.^[12] The unmasking later occurred in the seventh episode broadcast, showing the panelists' surprised reactions, as well as Jeong quietly walking off during Giuliani's unmasked performance. Prior to walking away, Jeong can be seen visibly upset at this reveal, has his arms crossed, and does not partake in the elimination interview.^{[13] [14]} The casting was widely criticized,^{[15] [16]} and was considered by Wired as a poorly-executed ratings grab, as the episode saw a significant drop in viewership compared to prior episodes in the season.^[17] Rob Wade, Fox's vice president of alternative entertainment, said that they were pleased with the choice to include Giuliani as the show "is all about delivering jaw dropping moments", and was only disappointed that sources leaked the reveal early.^[18]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Masked Singer Season 7 Premiere Date Set at Fox as Network Announces Spring Lineup. Variety. Sasha Urban. January 26, 2022. January 26, 2022. January 26, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220126203814/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/masked-singer-premiere-date-season-7-fox-1235164352/. live.
2. (SP-2216) "The Masked Singer Sneak Peek". The Futon Critic. Fox. February 8, 2022.
3. Web site: The Masked Singer Reveals All Season 7 Guest Panelists (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Michael Schneider. March 7, 2022. March 7, 2022. March 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220307201855/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/masked-singer-season-7-guest-panelists-1235197605/. live.
4. Web site: The Masked Singer Season 7 Premiere Reveals Identity of McTerrier, After Unprecedented Costume Malfunction. Variety. Michael Schneider. March 9, 2022. March 17, 2022. March 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220316204537/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/the-masked-singer-season-7-episode-1-recap-mcterrier-1235200357/. live.
5. Web site: The Masked Singer Season 7 Costumes Revealed in New Trailer (Video). TheWrap. Andi Ortiz. January 30, 2022. February 3, 2022. February 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220203222652/https://www.thewrap.com/masked-singer-season-7-costumes-promo-video/. live.
6. Web site: Your First Look At the Cutest New Addition to The Masked Singer Season 7. E! News. Jillian Fabiano. March 1, 2022. March 1, 2022. March 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220301215725/https://www.eonline.com/news/1321524/your-first-look-at-the-cutest-new-addition-to-the-masked-singer-season-7. live.
7. Web site: Meet Hydra, The Masked Singers first three-headed monster costume. Entertainment Weekly. Lauren Huff. March 2, 2022. March 2, 2022. March 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220302152407/https://ew.com/tv/meet-hydra-the-masked-singers-first-three-headed-monster/. live.
8. Web site: The Masked Singer Hydra Costume Out Of Control ... Celebs Worried About Safety. TMZ. March 23, 2022. April 4, 2022. April 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220403045558/https://www.tmz.com/2022/03/23/the-masked-singer-hydra-costume-dangerous-safety-concern/. live.
9. Web site: Jorge Garcia Reveals Which Lost Co-Star Should Do Masked Singer Next. Screen Rant. Lorianne Palinkas. March 24, 2022. March 31, 2022. March 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220331171858/https://screenrant.com/jorge-garcia-masked-singer-cyclops-lost-costar/. live.
10. Web site: Unmasking Of Rudy Giuliani On Fox's The Masked Singer Prompts Judges Ken Jeong & Robin Thicke To Walk Off In Protest. Deadline Hollywood. Mike Fleming Jr. February 2, 2022. February 2, 2022. February 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220205192126/https://deadline.com/2022/02/rudy-giuliani-the-masked-singer-contestant-judge-ken-jeong-robin-thicke-walk-off-in-protest-1234925291/. live.
11. Web site: Masked Singer: Ken Jeong Felt 'Upset' and 'Disrespected' by Rudy Giuliani Reveal, Says Sources. People. Ally Mauch. February 4, 2022. March 16, 2022. March 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220315190246/https://people.com/tv/masked-singer-ken-jeong-upset-after-rudy-giuliani-reveal/. live.
12. Web site: Did Masked Singer Editors Cut Rudy Giuliani? Premiere Has Internet Buzzing. Newsweek. Jake Thomas. March 9, 2022. March 16, 2022. March 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220316061029/https://www.newsweek.com/did-masked-singer-editors-cut-rudy-giuliani-premiere-has-internet-buzzing-1686608. live.
13. Web site: Ken Jeong Walks Off of The Masked Singer Set After 1 Contestant's Unmasking: 'I'm Done'. People. Dana Rose Falcone. April 20, 2022. April 20, 2022. April 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220422171042/https://people.com/tv/ken-jeong-walks-off-the-masked-singer-after/. live.
14. Web site: The Masked Singer Finally Unveils Rudy Giuliani: "Is That Robert Duvall?". Deadline Hollywood. Peter White. April 20, 2022. April 20, 2022. April 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220421181533/https://deadline.com/2022/04/rudy-giuliani-the-masked-singer-reveal-robert-duvall-1235006599/. live.
15. Web site: Rudy Giuliani's Masked Singer performance is a new TV low. NBC News. Ani Bundel. February 4, 2022. February 10, 2022. February 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220209152437/https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/rudy-giuliani-s-masked-singer-performance-new-tv-low-ncna1288630. live.
16. Web site: Critic’s Notebook: Rudy Giuliani on The Masked Singer Is a New Low for TV Image Laundering. The Hollywood Reporter. Daniel Fienberg. February 4, 2022. February 10, 2022. February 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220211030841/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/rudy-giuliani-masked-singer-1235086734/. live.
17. Web site: Why The Masked Singers Rudy Giuliani Reveal Failed. Wired. Angela Watercutter. April 22, 2022. April 22, 2022. April 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220422130308/https://www.wired.com/story/rudy-giuliani-masked-singer/. live.
18. Web site: The Masked Singer: Fox Alternative Chief Has "No Regrets" On Casting Rudy Giuliani In Reality Contest. Deadline Hollywood. Peter White. May 16, 2022. May 16, 2022. May 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220516130153/https://deadline.com/2022/05/the-masked-singer-rudy-giuliani-no-regrets-1235024592/. live.