The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 9 explained

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Starring:

Module1:

Host:	Nick Cannon
Num Contestants:	21
Winner:	Bishop Briggs as "Medusa"
Runner Up:	David Archuleta as "Macaw"

Num Episodes:

Network:

Fox

The ninth season of the American television series The Masked Singer premiered on Fox on February 15, 2023, and concluded on May 17, 2023. The season was won by singer Bishop Briggs as "Medusa", with singer David Archuleta finishing second as "Macaw".

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.^[1]

The second episode included Nick Viall and Shangela as additional guests, the third episode included Luann de Lesseps and Theresa Caputo as additional guests, the fourth episode included Helen Mirren, Zachary Levi, and Jim Lee as additional guests with Jennifer Nettles appearing in a post-credit gag, the fifth episode featured Nettles as a guest panelist, with Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, Grover, Count von Count, Abby Cadabby, and Elmo's puppy Tango as additional guests, the sixth episode included Bill Engvall, Robert Woods, and Deana Carter as additional guests, the seventh episode included Young MC, Donnie Wahlberg (who portrayed "Cluedle-Doo" during the fifth season), Erik Estrada, and Charlene Tilton as additional guests,^[2] and the ninth episode included Daphne Zuniga and Mike Massimino as additional guests.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin appeared as a guest in the fifth episode along with his younger brother, Damir. The episode was filmed in January 2023, a few weeks after his cardiac arrest medical incident.^[3]

Production

The season is formatted similar to its predecessor, featuring three contestants in each episode, with one eliminated mid-show and taken to the VIP section and the other two battling it out in a Battle Royale. A champion is crowned at the end of each episode who then moves on to the following episode, with the other singer in the top two unmasking. However, it also introduces a gimmick known as the "Ding Dong Keep It On" bell, which allows a panelist to save a singer from elimination.^[4] The bell can only be used once per group.^[5] As a result, there was a special episode where those saved by the "Ding Dong Keep It On" bell compete for a second chance to stay in the competition.

The season also features the return of themed nights, a gimmick introduced in the previous season.^[6] The season includes themes such as "Opening Night", "ABBA", "New York", "DC Superhero", "Sesame Street", "80s Night", "Country", "Movie Night", "Space", and “British Invasion”.^[7] ^[8]

The twelfth episode of the season ended with a dedication for TV host Jerry Springer who died on April 27, 2023.^[9] Springer portrayed "Beetle" in the previous season.^[10]

Contestants

The contestants in this season are reported to have a combined 95,231,000 records sold, 28 Emmy nominations, 26 books, 10 gold albums, six Grammy wins, five lifetime achievement awards, five medals, four Golden Globe nominations, four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and two Tony Award nominations.^[11] ^[12]

One mask, "French Hen", was revealed in promotional material prior to the airing of the season,^[13] but did not participate in the season. Although nothing has been officially revealed about the celebrity participant, Variety has reported that a celebrity exited the season after testing positive for COVID-19,^[14] which ultimately led to Debbie Gibson's participation.^[15] ^[16]

Results
Stage name	Celebrity	Occupation(s)	Episodes
			1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	11	12	13	14
			Round 1			Round 2			Round 3			11	12	13	14
Medusa	Bishop Briggs	Singer	WIN	WIN	KEPT	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		WIN	bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=gold	WINNER
Macaw	David Archuleta	Singer	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		WIN	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=silver	RUNNER-UP
California Roll	Pentatonix	Acapella group	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		WIN	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT	bgcolor=darkgrey
UFO	Olivia Culpo	Model/internet personality	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		WIN	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Gargoyle	Keenan Allen	NFL player	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		KEPT	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Mantis	Lou Diamond Phillips	Actor	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		KEPT	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Lamp	Melissa Joan Hart	Actor	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Dandelion	Alicia Witt	Actor/singer	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		WIN	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Doll	Dee Snider	Singer	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		WIN	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Scorpio	Christine Quinn	TV personality	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Moose	George Wendt	Actor/comedian	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Fairy	Holly Robinson Peete	Actor/singer	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		WIN	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Axolotl	Alexa Bliss	Professional wrestler	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Jackalope	Lele Pons	Internet personality	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Squirrel	Malin Akerman	Actor	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		WIN	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Wolf	Michael Bolton	Singer	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Polar Bear	Grandmaster Flash	DJ/rapper	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Night Owl	Debbie Gibson	Singer	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Rock Lobster	Howie Mandel	Comedian/TV personality	bgcolor=#FFEBCD		bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Mustang	Sara Evans	Singer	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
Gnome	Dick Van Dyke	Actor/comedian	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT

Episodes

Week 1 (February 15)

Battle Royale
+ Performances on the first episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Mustang	"Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
2	Gnome	"When You're Smiling" by Billie Holiday	Dick Van Dyke	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
3	Medusa	"Happier Than Ever" by Billie Eilish		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
4	Mustang	"Diamonds" by Rihanna	Sara Evans	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
4	Medusa	"Diamonds" by Rihanna		WIN

After being unmasked, Van Dyke sang "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from Mary Poppins as his encore performance.

Week 2 (February 22) - "ABBA Night"

Battle Royale
+ Performances on the second episode		Stage name	ABBA song	Identity	Result
1	Medusa	"Dancing Queen"		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
2	Night Owl	"Fernando"		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
3	Rock Lobster	"SOS"	Howie Mandel	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
4	Medusa	"The Winner Takes It All"		WIN
4	Night Owl	"The Winner Takes It All"	Debbie Gibson	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT

Week 3 (March 1) - "New York Night"

Guest performance: Panelist Robin Thicke performs "Living in New York City"

Battle Royale
+ Performances on the third episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Medusa	"New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
2	Polar Bear	"Rapture" by Blondie	Grandmaster Flash	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
3	California Roll	"Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
4	Medusa	"Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel		bgcolor=pink	KEPT
	California Roll			WIN

After being unmasked, Grandmaster Flash scratched along to "Good Times" by Chic as his encore performance.

Week 4 (March 8) - "DC Superheroes Night"

Guest performance: Panelist Nicole Scherzinger performs "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler

Battle Royale
+ Performances on the fourth episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Gargoyle	"One Call Away" by Charlie Puth		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
2	Wolf	"Break On Through" by The Doors	Michael Bolton	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
3	Squirrel	"Try" by P!nk		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
4	Gargoyle	"Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down		KEPT
4	Squirrel	"Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down		WIN

After being unmasked, Bolton performed his signature song "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" as his encore performance.

Week 5 (March 15) - "Sesame Street Night"

Guest performance: Sesame Street characters perform "Dynamite" by BTS

Battle Royale
+ Performances on the fifth episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Squirrel	"Just the Two of Us" by Grover Washington, Jr. feat. Bill Withers	Malin Akerman	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
2	Fairy	"You're No Good" by Linda Ronstadt		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
3	Jackalope	"Whenever, Wherever" by Shakira		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
4	Jackalope	"On Top of the World" by Imagine Dragons	Lele Pons	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
4	Fairy	"On Top of the World" by Imagine Dragons		WIN

Week 6 (March 22) - "Country Night"

Battle Royale
+ Performances on the sixth episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Fairy	"Angel from Montgomery" by Bonnie Raitt		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
2	Axolotl	"Can't Fight the Moonlight" by LeAnn Rimes	Alexa Bliss	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
3	Macaw	"Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
4	Fairy	"That Don't Impress Me Much" by Shania Twain	Holly Robinson Peete	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
4	Macaw	"That Don't Impress Me Much" by Shania Twain		WIN

Week 7 (March 29) - "'80s Night"

Guest performance: Young MC performs "Bust a Move"

Battle Royale
+ Performances on the seventh episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Doll	"Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
2	Scorpio	"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
3	Moose	"The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis & the News	George Wendt	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
4	Scorpio	"Hungry Like the Wolf" by Duran Duran	Christine Quinn	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
4	Doll	"Hungry Like the Wolf" by Duran Duran		WIN

Week 8 (April 5) - "WB Movie Night"

Battle Royale
+ Performances on the eighth episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Doll	"Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley (from Elvis)	Dee Snider	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
2	Dandelion	"Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland (from The Wizard of Oz)		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
3	Mantis	"Old Time Rock and Roll" by Bob Seger (from Risky Business)		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
4	Dandelion	"(I've Got A) Golden Ticket" by Jack Albertson & Peter Ostrum (from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory)		WIN
4	Mantis			KEPT

After being unmasked, Snider performed an acapella version of his signature song "We're Not Gonna Take It" as his encore performance.

Week 9 (April 12) - "Masked Singer In Space"

Battle Royale
+ Performances on the ninth episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Dandelion	"Starlight" by Muse	Alicia Witt	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
2	Lamp	"Venus" by Bananarama		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
3	UFO	"Yellow" by Coldplay		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
4	Lamp	"Rocket Man" by Elton John	Melissa Joan Hart	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
4	UFO	"Rocket Man" by Elton John		WIN

Week 10 (April 19) - "Supreme Six"

+ Performances on the tenth episode		Stage name	Song
1	California Roll	"Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler
2	Macaw	"Photograph" by Ed Sheeran
3	UFO	"Stargazing" by Kygo

Week 11 (April 26) - "Battle of the Saved"

Battle Royale
+ Performances on the eleventh episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Medusa	"Mercy" by Shawn Mendes		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
2	Gargoyle	"DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" by Usher ft. Pitbull		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
3	Mantis	"You Really Got Me" by The Kinks	Lou Diamond Phillips	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
4	Gargoyle	"Centuries" by Fall Out Boy	Keenan Allen	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
4	Medusa	"Centuries" by Fall Out Boy		WIN

After being unmasked, Phillips performed "La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens as his encore performance.

Week 12 (May 3) - "Quarter Finals" (British Invasion Night)

+ Performances on the twelfth episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Macaw	"Your Song" by Elton John		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
2	California Roll	"Creep" by Radiohead		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
3	UFO	"Tears Dry on Their Own" by Amy Winehouse	Olivia Culpo	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
4	Medusa	"Someone Like You" by Adele		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE

Week 13 (May 10) - "Semi-Finals"

+ Performances on the thirteenth episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	California Roll	"Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson	Pentatonix	bgcolor=#F99185	OUT
2	Medusa	"Take Me to Church" by Hozier		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
3	Macaw	"What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction		bgcolor=lightgreen	SAFE
Battle Royale	"Runaway Baby" by Bruno Mars

Week 14 (May 17) - "Finale"

+ Performances on the fourteenth episode		Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Macaw	"Hold Back the River" by James Bay	David Archuleta	bgcolor=silver rowspan=2	RUNNER-UP
1	Macaw	"All by Myself" by Eric Carmen	David Archuleta
2	Medusa	"Elastic Heart" by Sia	Bishop Briggs	bgcolor=gold rowspan=2	WINNER
2	Medusa		Bishop Briggs

After being unmasked, Briggs sang her signature song "River" as her encore performance.

Notes and References

Web site: The Masked Singer Season 9 Premiere Date Announced. Screen Rant. Lorianne Palinkas. January 12, 2023. January 12, 2023. January 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230112201354/https://screenrant.com/masked-singer-season-9-premiere-date-announced/. live.
Web site: The Masked Singer Upcoming Guests Include Deana Carter, Bill Engvall, Erik Estrada (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Michael Schneider. March 22, 2023. March 23, 2023. March 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230323001624/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-masked-singer-guests-deana-carter-bill-engvall-erik-estrada-1235561646/. live.
Web site: Damar Hamlin Surprises His Little Brother on The Masked Singer Just Weeks After Cardiac Arrest. People. Brandon Livesay. March 15, 2023. March 15, 2023. March 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230315163749/https://people.com/sports/damar-hamlin-surprises-little-brother-on-masked-singer/. live.
(MS-901) "Season 9 Premiere". Fox. The Futon Critic. February 3, 2023. March 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230319165254/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20230203fox05/. live.
The Masked Singer season 9 reveals new costumes, themes, and big elimination twist. Entertainment Weekly. Lauren Huff. February 6, 2023. February 6, 2023. February 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230206225859/https://ew.com/tv/the-masked-singer-season-9-new-costumes-themes-twists/. live.
The Masked Singer Is Back with Season Nine, Premiering Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8/7c on FOX!. Fox. The Futon Critic. January 11, 2023. January 15, 2023. March 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230319164340/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2023/01/11/the-masked-singer-is-back-with-season-nine-premiering-wednesday-feb-15-at-8-7c-on-fox-600424/20230111fox04/. live.
Web site: The Masked Singer Season 9 Theme Nights Revealed. Screen Rant. Lorianne Palinkas. January 20, 2023. January 20, 2023. January 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230120222204/https://screenrant.com/the-masked-singer-season-9-theme-nights-revealed/. live.
Web site: Damar Hamlin Appears At Masked Singer Season 9 Taping. Screen Rant. Gina Wurtz. February 1, 2023. February 2, 2023. February 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202234026/https://screenrant.com/damar-hamlin-appears-masked-singer-season-9-taping/. live.
Web site: Jerry Springer, Host of Rowdy and Controversial Daytime Talk Show, Dies at 79. Variety. Carmel Dagan. April 27, 2023. May 5, 2023. May 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230504145738/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/jerry-springer-dead-tv-host-1235596610/. live.
Web site: The Masked Singer Pays Tribute To Beloved 'Beetle' Jerry Springer. Forbes. Ree Hines. May 4, 2023. May 5, 2023. May 5, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230505084412/https://www.forbes.com/sites/reehines/2023/05/04/the-masked-singer-pays-tribute-to-beloved-beetle-jerry-springer/?sh=61943d6c61be. live.
Web site: Masked Singer Super Bowl Promo Teases Most 'Legendary' Unmasking Ever — Plus, See Three New Season 9 Costumes (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Jennifer Maas. February 10, 2023. February 10, 2023. February 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230211065547/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/masked-singer-super-bowl-promo-season-9-costumes-1235519544/. live.
(MS-902) "ABBA Night". Fox. The Futon Critic. February 10, 2023. March 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230319164512/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20230210fox05/. live.
1615453912512823296.
1. TheMaskedSinger IS. BACK. FEBRUARY 15th. I'm not crying, you're crying.
. RealityClubFOX. Reality Club FOX. January 17, 2023. April 6, 2023.
Web site: The Masked Singer Reveals Identities of Rock Lobster and Night Owl: Here's Who They Are. Variety. Michael Schneider. February 22, 2023. April 10, 2023. April 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230410045851/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-masked-singer-season-9-episode-2-recap-debbie-gibson-howie-mandel-1235532838/. live.
The Masked Singers Night Owl reveals which famous friend she's calling first after her elimination. Entertainment Weekly. Lauren Huff. February 22, 2023. April 10, 2023. April 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230412223327/https://ew.com/tv/the-masked-singer-night-owl-revealed-debbie-gibson/. live.
Web site: The Masked Singer's Debbie Gibson Reveals Just How Wild It Was Joining The Show With Less Than 24 Hours Notice. CinemaBlend. Mick Joest. February 26, 2023. April 10, 2023. April 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230410113227/https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/the-masked-singers-debbie-gibson-reveals-just-how-wild-it-was-joining-the-show-with-less-than-24-hours-notice. live.