Everything we know about ‘The Masked Singer’ season 9

It seems like only yesterday we watched Harp (Amber Riley) reign victorious over the Lambs (Wilson Phillips) in the season 8 finale of The Masked Singer. And yet, here we are, with another season coming up shortly on Feb. 15. In the lead-up to the new episodes, EW has collected every bit of information we have on season 9, with more to come in the days and weeks ahead.

From the return of themed nights, to the new costumes, to who will be on the panel, and more, here is everything we know about The Masked Singer season 9.

When does the new season of The Masked Singer start and where can I watch?

The new season will premiere on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX. As it has in the past, the show will occupy that primetime Wednesday slot moving forward. If you miss an episode airing live, you can catch up on the show with On Demand, FOX NOW, Hulu, as well as on FOX Entertainment’s streaming platform, Tubi. On Demand episodes are available for customers of Cox Contour TV, DIRECTV, DIRECTV Stream, DISH, Hulu Live, Optimum, Spectrum, Verizon FiOS, XFINITY, YouTube TV and many more.

Is the format of the show the same?

The new episodes will feature the supersized twists first introduced last season, namely, a “Champion of the Masked Singer”-style competition with sudden elimination and double unmaskings in every episode.

The show has also been given an updated stage design to incorporate the largest audience in Masked Singer history, who will once again be tasked with voting for their favorite masked celebrity performer. The singer with the least amount of votes will unmask mid-show, and the remaining two singers will face off in a Battle Royale performance, with the winner moving on to compete the following week, and the other contestant unmasking. It will all ultimately lead to three finalists left standing to compete in the semi-finals.

Will there be themed nights?

The show first introduced the concept in season 8, which saw themed nights such as “Vegas Night,” “Comedy Roast,” “Hall of Fame,” “Muppets Night,” “Andrew Lloyd Webber Night,” “TV Themes,” “’90s Night,” “Thanksgiving,” and “Fright Night.” This season, EW can confirm that the themes will include “Abba Night,” “New York Night,” “DC Superhero Night,” “Sesame Street Night,” “’80s Night,” “Movie Night,” and “The Masked Singer in Space Night.” These themes will ultimately be weaved throughout the performers’ song selections, costumes, celebrity guests, set design, and may even provide clues as to who is under the mask.

What other twists will season 9 have?

For the first time ever, panelists will have the opportunity to save a singer from looming elimination with the “Ding Dong Keep It On” Bell, which can only be used once per group. Since it sounds like there will be three semi-finalists, it’s probably a safe bet to assume there are three groups, and therefore, that the buzzer will be used no more than three times.

Will the same panel and host be returning?

Who will be appearing as a guest star or guest panelist?

It’s not known at this time who will be appearing alongside our usual panel, but given that the themed nights are back, we can expect more starry cameos. Additionally, Thicke and Scherzinger will once again return to the Masked Singer stage for a few special performances.

What are the new Masked Singer season 9 costumes?

And, while we can’t say their names just yet, FOX also provided a sneak peak of four new costumes for the season, below. EW’s best guesses for these costumes are a rooster, voodoo doll, salamander, and moose.

Additionally, short teasers released by the network confirm that the season will include Dandelion, Fairy, Axolotl, Jackalope, Gargoyle, and California Roll.

Who are the celebrities under the masks?

FOX released some clues ahead of the season. A 30-second teaser that aired during the Super Bowl teased “the most legendary, decorated and beloved unmasking in history.” The contestant is a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner.

Additionally, EW can confirm the season 9 contestants boast a combined 28 Emmy nominations, six Grammy wins, 10 gold albums, four Golden Globe nominations, five medals, 26 books, two Tony Award nominations, five Lifetime Achievement Awards, four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a combined 95,231,000 records sold.

Who won?

In the end, Medusa edged out Macaw for the Golden Mask Trophy. She was revealed to be “River” singer Bishop Briggs, and he was revealed to be singer and American Idol finalist David Archuleta. Of her final moments on the Masked Singer stage with her competitor, Briggs told EW, “To be standing on stage with someone that I admired not only as a vocalist, but as a human being, in that moment, we both were sharing our stories and our journeys of identity and having difficulty wanting to continue on in life. And so to be on stage with him in that moment, I feel like we were kindred spirits. It was really emotional and it felt like something that I will hold on to for the rest of my life for sure.”

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