The Masked Singer: The complete list of clues for every season 3 contestant
Welcome back, armchair detectives!
The Masked Singer has returned for season 3 on Fox, which means it’s time to break out those metaphorical magnifying glasses and sift through the clues to ascertain the true identities of the 18 celebrity contestants.
The show has given us a bit of a head start ahead of the season premiere, revealing that season 3 singers collectively have amassed 69 Grammy Award nominations, 88 Gold records, 11 Super Bowl appearances, three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, more than 160 tattoos, and one title in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Executive producer Izzie Pick Ibarra revealed to Variety that season 3’s clues would be even harder than before, and teased that they’re “trying a slightly different approach for how we do our clue packages.”
Not to worry, though: EW has compiled this master list of clues for every masked singer, which we will be updating during each episode this season. Just remember — the show has a propensity to try and throw viewers off the scent, so keep your eyes open, your ears pricked, and guess along with us.
White Tiger
Clue package:
Clue package takes place in a hallway of lockers, with multiple references to strength and wrestling (“the ring”)
“I’ve had a giant career full of accomplishments, but when I imagine being on stage singing, I’m a big ole scaredy-cat”
A clam trophy with the words “ultimate champion for clam shucking, 51 clams” on it is shown (is he from New England, maybe?)
Says his motivation is his fans, whom he doesn’t want to let down
A sign for Masked Singer tryouts with the date 5/3 (a birthday or jersey number?)
A poster of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Benjamin Franklin with the words “four score and seven years ago” on it is seen
A poster with a skiing cow and a book called “Wild World of Cats” are shown
“My motto is work hard, play harder”
Says he’s no stranger to celebrating, and he loves “a good block party”
Says that dancing heals his body, and the actors in the clue package are all wearing bright wigs and feather boas
He rips open a horse piñata
His college roommate provides some clues in a bar, and he has a target as a head. A neon sign for Route 66 is seen in the background, and there is a white landline phone on the table
There’s a closeup of a quarter
He details one time when the two of them went out to a club and White Tiger told some girls they were professional dancers of the Magic Mike variety, and “on the spot, he and I made up this ridiculous routine”
“The other dudes didn’t stand a chance. Smell what I’m cookin’?” he says, and the judges remark that that could be a reference to The Rock
A closeup of butter is shown
On stage:
He is significantly taller than host Nick Cannon, who is around 6’0″ tall
Sang “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice
“It’s the most powerful I’ve ever felt, like I could conquer anything. I never want to take it off!”
Second performance: Sang “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
“I was voted most likely to go to the mat for a friend, and I did, literally“
Third performance: Sang “We Will Rock You” by Queen
His valentine to Jenny said: “Jenny, I’m wild about you, but I know your husband will appreciate this card even more”
Judges’ guesses: John Cena, Rob Gronkowski, Jason Momoa, Hulk Hogan, Charles Haley, Fabio Lanzoni, Joe Manganiello
Turtle
Clue package:
Clue package takes place on a track field, with a tortoise and the hare theme
“It felt like everyone around me was fighting tooth and nail for the dream, and I watched as many of those stars burned too brightly too quickly and then fizzled out. I’m the turtle because I’ve always taken it step by step” (a reference to the ’90s sitcom or New Kids on the Block song? Could be a former child star.)
He is seen waxing a surfboard (Is he a surfer or maybe someone who has won a Teen Choice Award?)
“After years of preparation, I would like to make a big splash,” he says, as he flips burgers on a grill
A menu with ginger snaps, slow-cooked beets, and dover sole is shown
Says people have always expected him to act a certain way, so maybe he is an actor?
A soda called “Pop” is on the table — could it be a reference to their genre of music?
Lots of school references
Says he wants to rebel, and then he pulls the fire alarm and plays air guitar
Writes “Don’t Rave Ever At My School – Turtle” over and over on a blackboard
His 9th grade biology teacher provides some clues, and she is surrounded by a chalkboard that has the Greek symbols for Alpha and Omega and a heart on it. There are skulls, a picture of a butterfly, books, and other biology teacher items around her.
The teacher says she’s not surprised he ended up on the show, because he was always singing in her class, and he “was the most driven student I ever had”
A closeup of a map showing Seoul, South Korea is shown
A crystallized upside down bat is also given a closeup (yes, you read that right)
Says she ran into him last year and he recognized her, and to her, he was still the same “sweet, humble kid”
On stage:
Appears slightly shorter than Cannon
Sang “Kiss From a Rose” by Seal (who was under the Leopard mask last season)
He said of his costume, “It’s hot, really hot. And it’s heavy.”
Second performance: Sang “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur
“I was voted most likely to hunt for booty, and I have… often…”
Third performance: Sang “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” by Shawn Mendes
His valentine to Nicole said: “Hey Nicole, I’ll never forget the morning we spent together. It was turtally awesome.”
Judges’ guesses: Joey McIntyre, Zac Efron, Donnie Wahlberg, AJ McLean, Billie Joe Armstrong, Darius Rucker, Nick Lachey, Jaden Smith, Hunter Hayes
Llama
Clue package:
Clue package takes place in a radio station called 23.3 The Wool
Refers to his listeners as “nerd herd”
Says he’s just here to have a laugh, and “what’s funnier than a llama?”
A little green Buddha is shown
“You can call me a joker,” he says, and a jack and an ace of spades are flashed on screen (a gambler or the initials J.A.?)
An album called “Sounds of Seattle” is shown
A reference to the famous pottery scene from Ghost is made as he talks about finding romance
“Llamaste to all my wooly friends” — is this singer a yogi?
Shown on stage with an accordion and some kind of table or chair covered in a red checkered blanket — do they play the accordion or perhaps frequently use musical instruments in their comedy?
Says he is approaching this competition the way he approached his career: “For a while, I was spinning my wheels, but then I started to envision my success and to think on my feet”
On stage:
Appears to be shorter than Cannon, but the costume’s neck is so long it’s hard to tell where the person inside’s head is
Sang “She Bangs” by Ricky Martin
“This whole costume just spoke to me, my vibe. I wear things like this in real life.”
Second performance: Sang “It’s Not Unusual” by Tom Jones
“I was voted most likely to be near firing cannons”
Judges’ guesses: Howard Stern, David Spade, Joel McHale, Johnny Knoxville, Joel McHale, Zach Galifianakis, Woody Harrelson
UPDATE: Llama went home on Feb. 5. See who was under the mask.
Miss Monster
Clue package:
This clue package also takes place in a school, and her locker is No. 10 (and naturally it’s filled with pictures of her “favorite contestant from season 1,” which is Monster, aka rapper T-Pain)
Hair products are shown, and panelist Jenny McCarthy notes that this person probably has notably good hair
A fancy key with a keychain that says “Fun” is shown
She says she started off as a “shy little monster” but “it didn’t take long for me to be misunderstood”
“Monster Hits” sticker seen in the locker
“Now I can focus on being an artist,” she says as the Monster tells her to “draw me like one of your French monsters” a la Titanic
On her drawing board is a chess piece (a queen), and a hand-drawn picture of a butterfly
Multi-colored drawing sticks are shown, as is a purple fluffy journal
She says that people tell her “you can’t do it all”
“I want you to see that I’m like Mr. Monster, capable of anything and full of love”
Her hairstylist and confidante (dressed as a monster with gapped teeth and a mustache) provides some clues, and he is in a garden of some sort with a clothes line that has pizza, a pair of white socks, and a teddy bear hanging on it. Later, camouflage clothes are also seen.
The hairstylist says he was intimidated to meet her at first, calling her a “misunderstood monster,” but he says she wasn’t scary at all
He stepped in to do her hair when a stylist was late for an event, and says “trust me, you can’t hurry good hair” — another reference to this person having great hair
He also says she’s been through a lot and hasn’t always been seen in the press for who she really is, which is someone who is “all about spreading love”
On stage:
Panelist Nicole Scherzinger notes that “she seems petite”
Sang “Something to Talk About” by Bonnie Raitt
Needs to be guided off stage by Cannon, so perhaps she’s older?
Second performance: Sang “Fancy” by Bobbie Gentry
“I was most likely to be in the presence of royalty”
Third performance: Sang “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore
Her valentine to Robin said: “I only have eye for you, we even had a rendezvous in Sin City”
Judges’ guesses: Dolly Parton, Mary J. Blige, Dionne Warwick, Mary Wilson, Priscilla Presley, Celine Dion, Queen Latifah, Gloria Gaynor, Chaka Khan
UPDATE: Miss Monster was unmasked on Feb. 12. See who the masked singer ended up being.
Robot
Clue package:
Clue package takes place in a laboratory with an evil scientist vibe
There’s a periodic table, with No. 78 “Pt” (which is Platinum) specifically pointed out
Shows a tech deck skateboard hitting a toy firetruck
“I relate to robots, because I’ve always felt the need to put on a tough outer shell. I think that makes me come across as inhuman and it’s stunted my potential” — is this person someone who does a lot of stunts or a gymnast, maybe?
Mentions scales, another potential reference to being an athlete who has to weigh in
References to not being relatable, wanted to show they have a heart and love to give
On stage:
This person is definitely shorter than Cannon
Sang “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz
“I’ve never done nothing like this before, so I’m having the most fun I’ve ever had in my career”
Judges’ guesses: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Floyd Mayweather, Shaun White, Flavor Flav
UPDATE: Robot was unmasked on Feb. 2. See who he turned out to be.
Kangaroo
Clue package:
Clue package takes place in “the Outback,” natch
“I’m a survivor. I recently lost a person who held my family’s heart together. Then, by my own admission, I found myself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons,” she says, as paparazzi take photos of her
An old school phonograph is shown, panelist Ken Jeong remarks that it looks like a Grammy
“I have to fight for my family and show them that bullies never win”
Shown jumping rope and boxing
A sign with “Kangaroo Kourt” and a basketball player are briefly shown
Says she feels like she’s been living life on the sidelines and “it’s scary putting myself in the spotlight again”
“Sometimes it feels like everyone is against me,” she says as makeup and nail polish are shown
Says she needs to get “back in the game” as she dribbles a basketball
All the players around her are wearing jerseys with number 23 and “deejay” on them
She mentions being a role model for “her little roo”
Her younger brother (“by only one year”) provides some clues, dressed up as someone in a red plaid shirt and gardening gloves with a potted plant for a head
Says his sister “was a drama queen in her teen years” but “she’s the most resilient person I know” and that she’s the glue that held their family together in the wake of tragedy
A model airplane is hanging from the ceiling, and Jenny remarks that maybe Kangaroo is a model
A handmade angel is shown
Says he admires “her ability to rise above the haters”
On stage:
Guest panelist Jamie Foxx notes that she’s “actually kind of tall”
Sang “Dancing on My Own” by Robyn
“One of my greatest fears is being vulnerable, and this year I’ve had no other option than to be vulnerable. But with this kangaroo costume, I feel like I can get my superpowers back,” she says.
Second performance: Sang “You Know I’m No Good” by Amy Winehouse
“I was voted most likely to appear on a list with Seal and Mike Tyson, and I might have been”
Third performance: Sang “Diamonds” by Rihanna
Her valentine to guest panelist Leah Remini said: “We’ve sat at the same table, and your courage has inspired me”
Judges’ guesses: Jordin Sparks, Kelly Rowland, Iggy Azalea, Candace Parker, Tatyana Ali, Gabrielle Union, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Lindsay Lohan
Frog
Clue package:
Says his metamorphosis has been “anything but typical”
Newspapers flashed on screen with the headlines “Tadpole plucked from large creek!” and “Toad’s crazy ride begins!”
Makes reference to a lightning bolt — could they be a runner?
A brown paper bag with the word “Leftovers” is shown
A possible reference to the Olympics is made with a poster that says “1996 Games, 1000-meter leap frog” on it
A microphone next to a $100 bill, a $5 bill, and $1 bill is given a closeup
He is shown at a desk with a basketball and a typewriter that has the letters “C” and “S” and “I” emphasized
“From the beginning, I’ve sacrificed so much of myself to be all that”
A book titled “Fame” is next to a price tag of $19.00
“Always shooting to be the prince of my game”
Toy soldiers are given a close-up
The paper on the typewriter reads, “Not every frog wants to be a Prince”
On stage:
Jenny says that he is “like Kevin Hart little,” the others remark that he has swagger
First performance: Sang “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer
“I feel free, baby. I came here to win it all, baby, that’s what I came to do.”
Second performance: Sang “In Da Club” by 50 Cent
His favorite subject in school was PE: “One thing I loved about it was the fact that it keeps me in shape, so I can bust these dance moves that make the ladies go crazy”
Judges’ guesses: Michael Johnson, Carl Lewis, Ray J, Alfonso Ribeiro, Kevin Hart, Omarion
Elephant
Clue package:
“I was a calf when I found my calling,” he says, as he sits down to play the drums — so someone who started out at a young age, and potentially someone who plays the drums?
Turned his passion “into a one-man show”
Stop sign, traffic meter, a bicycle, 10 cent ice cream, and an arts and crafts store are all seen in the package
“I went from canvassing park benches to leading the charge of a massive movement, even parading for white houses” — is he a politician?
One of the background actors in the package has a gold crown on his head, but none of the rest do
Blue jays are given a closeup
On stage:
Nicole remarks that Elephant is tall (around Nick’s height by the looks of it), and Robin tells Jenny that he seems young and athletic
First performance: Sang “Friday I’m in Love” by The Cure
“I do not do dance choreography at all but this costume and this mask give me the confidence to go for it”
Judges’ guesses: Lance Armstrong, Travis Barker, Tommy Lee, Beto O’Rourke
UPDATE: Elephant went home on Feb. 19. See who was ultimately under the mask.
Kitty
Clue package:
Says on the show she “feels at home among the weird and the wonderful”
Old timey binoculars are shown multiple times
Wants to “wipe the slate clean as the purest snow”
References to astronomy and the moon
Says people think of her not as the person she’s become, but as the person she once was
“Now under these lights, among the cream of the crop, I get to start from scratch”
Old movie clips of pirates are shown in the background
A shattered red rose is shown — was this person on The Bachelor or Bachelorette?
She’s shown at home with a sewing machine, working on some red fabric, which she says is one of her favorite things to do
Lots of yarn and fabrics of all colors are seen in the background
“Whether a pillow for someone special, or a modern dress for a family member’s ball”
She also likes to draw things that inspire her
“It’s like magic. Maybe there’s something about watching transformations that rings a bell,” she says, as one of the background actors is seen in a Little Red Riding Hood-esque cape
On stage:
Jenny remarks that Kitty is “itty bitty”
First performance: Sang “Dangerous Woman” by Ariana Grande
“I am being somebody that nobody has ever seen before, and it’s always been inside of me so, it’s great!”
Second performance: Sang “Mercy” by Brett Young
Her favorite subject in school was English: “I am such a bookworm and I used to write my own science fiction books and sell them for quarters”
Judges’ guesses: Julianne Hough, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Millie Bobby Brown, Amanda Seyfried, Sarah Hyland
Taco
Clue package:
Says he’s “been a comforting part of your lives for decades” as VHS tapes are given a closeup
“I’ve got plenty of seasoning, and I’m in a good place”
An anchor, a Rubik’s Cube, and a trolley are all shown, with Jenny remarking that the latter item could be a reference to San Francisco
“To enchiladas and beyond, here I go as fast as I can! I want to be the last mask standing!”
A whoopee cushion inside a taco shell is shown
“You may think of me as a buttoned-up mild type, but I actually used to be a bit of a hot head”
“I met the most stunning taco in the galaxy,” he says, as a map of the stars is shown with the constellation of Gemini in the middle
“My jaw dropped, my heart buzzed, and everything changed,” he says, later adding that his love made him the “softer taco” he is today blessed with a “rich career”
A toupee is shown
On stage:
Jenny says he dances “a bit like an older guy,” and he appears a few inches shorter than Nick
First performance: Sang “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra
“This is how I dress normally. Now, the weirdest thing about this experience is being ignored by everyone because they don’t know who I am. For the first time I feel invisible,” he joked
Second performance: Sang “Bossa Nova Baby” by Elvis Presley
His favorite subject in school was… nothing: “Actually, I was a class clown. Once, I was put in a closet in the classroom for bad behavior, but I loved it, it meant I didn’t have to sit in class.”
Judges’ guesses: Regis Philbin, Martin Short, Bob Saget, Seth MacFarlane, Ted Danson, Alec Baldwin
Mouse
Clue package:
“I’m small and cute, but don’t let my size fool you, because my presence is larger than life”
Her package is football themed
Says she’s always been a leader in her field
A whiteboard with “Bang Bang Formation” written on it is shown as she says she “wrote the playbook”
The football players have gold-colored jerseys on with the name “Warriors” on the back, and their numbers are 19 and 79
Mentions being the boss, but not minding having a walk-on role
“I never accept anything less than gold,” she says, as gold pom-poms are shown. Nicole remarks that maybe she has some gold records
“The stage is like my second home, and I am having a ball up there”
“When I leave my good job in the city, there’s no place like home squeak home,” she says, as a bust of a rhino is shown
A picture of prayer hands is seen
Mardi Gras beads are hanging on her mirror
“And why quit something that still feels exciting and new?”
Says she likes to find time for her favorite things: starting a romance novel, a little needlepoint, and wine and cheese to bond with her friends
Refers to herself as the “hostess with the mostest”
On stage:
Nicole remarks that Mouse “is a tiny little thing”
First performance: Sang “Get Here” by Oleta Adams
“Not being able to talk,” she says of the difficulties of being on the show. “Yeah, you know, I am a chatterbox. And I love talking and they always tell me that I can’t say anything to anybody.”
Second performance: Sang “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole
Her favorite subject in school was math: “My daddy told me, he said, ‘Well, you look at those numbers. And you know that those numbers represent your money.'”
Judges’ guesses: Darlene Love, Dionne Warwick, Maya Rudolph, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tina Turner
UPDATE: Mouse went home on Feb. 26. See who was under the mask.
Banana
Clue package:
His fruit and veggie-themed clue package features him napping next to a cowboy hat
A blow fish is seen on the ground
References to being a partier and having a hangover, and this not being his “first rodeo”
Says he’s tough on the outside and “a total smoothie” on the inside, and “a hoot” to have at parties
A blue collar is given a closeup
Banana is seen stripping off his clothes, so maybe someone comfortable with nudity?
There is a closeup of a clock displaying 2:13 p.m. on 6/8, and it has an alarm set for 9:15
Makes a reference to “get ‘er done”
One of the background actors has black cowboy boots on
The banana speaks with a twang throughout
The banana is told he needs a rebrand, and there is a computer with a green snake on it
A fake advertisement for a show starring Banana says “Banana is the new snack” on it
He’s also seen in ads for “CHIPS” and “Sons of Bananarchy”
Says he has a few “bruises” but is still here and plans on embracing his flaws
On stage:
Jenny says he’s confident and tall
First performance: Sang “A Little Less Conversation” by Elvis Presley
When asked if he always wanted to be the banana, he said, “Technically, no. My kid, I’m getting ready to work out, and she hands me a banana and it’s a sign. So here I am, the banana. And I’m peelin’ it!”
Second performance: Sang “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus
His favorite subject in school was art: “It got me through some of the toughest times of my life, and I’ve had quite a few. And tonight, even though I forgot half the lyrics, I was having the time of my life forgetting about the troubles, having a good time.”
Judges’ guesses: Bill Engvall, Ed Helms, Darius Rucker, Larry the Cable Guy, Billy Bob Thornton
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