SPOILER ALERT: Details follow for Season 14, Episode 12 of “The Masked Singer,” “Finals,” which aired March 25 on Fox.
Ashlee Simpson emerged victorious in the Season 14 finale of Fox’s “The Masked Singer,” revealed as Galaxy Girl and taking home the golden ‘Masked’ trophy. Wednesday’s episode also unmasked Phillip Phillips as Pugcasso, Kylie Cantrall as Cat Witch, and Normani as Crane.
Simpson clinched the win with performances of “Good 4 U” by Olivia Rodrigo and “Try” by Pink. Panelists Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Rita Ora, Robin Thicke, and Ken Jeong correctly guessed Simpson’s identity, especially after her sister Jessica Simpson joined her on stage before the final guess.
Expressing her joy to Variety, Simpson said, “It was nice to have my sister there that day and have her support. I had a blast doing the show. For me, just having the freedom of performing with the mask on, and discovering my love for performing again and what joy it brought out of me. This makes me want to keep going. It’s nice to receive the love from the audience, to be back on stage.”
Phillips secured the second spot with renditions of “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper and “Sussudio” by Phil Collins. McCarthy-Wahlberg correctly identified Phillips, while Ora guessed Chris Allen, Thicke thought it was Justin Guarini, and Jeong went with Bo Bice.
In third place, Cantrall, who was already revealed to viewers earlier in the season, was unmasked to the panelists as Cat Witch. She performed “Leave (Get Out)” by Jojo and “Greedy” by Tate McRae. Ora accurately guessed her “Descendants” co-star Cantrall, with McCarthy-Wahlberg agreeing, while Jeong chose Ashley Tisdale, and Thicke picked Victoria Justice.
Crane, the first to be unmasked on the night, sang “Together Again” by Janet Jackson. Ora identified Crane as Normani, with McCarthy-Wahlberg and Thicke agreeing, while Jeong guessed Kelly Rowland.
Celebrities unmasked this season included Ashlee Simpson as Galaxy Girl, Phillip Phillips as Pugcasso, Kylie Cantrall as Cat Witch, and Normani as Crane, alongside others like Rachel Platten, Evan Ross-Næss, Judge Greg Mathis, Alexi Lalas, Jack Wagner, Heidi Montag, Billy Ray Cyrus, Teddi Mellencamp, Claudia Oshry, Taraji P. Henson, Tone Loc, Tiffany Haddish, Todd and Julie Chrisley, and David “Big Papi” Ortiz.
The panelists for Season 14 included McCarthy Wahlberg, Jeong, Ora, and Thicke.
A new feature this season was “America’s Insider,” where singer, dancer, and social media personality Kylie Cantrall offered behind-the-scenes hints and clues to viewers. The twist was that Cantrall was disguised as Cat Witch and only unmasked for viewers, leaving the panelists in the dark.
Season 14 of “The Masked Singer” included themed episodes paying homage to “Star Trek,” “Clueless,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and “Twilight Saga” films. Fox’s new “Fear Factor” reboot featured host Johnny Knoxville in a “Fear Factor: House of Fear Night,” and “Ozzfest Night” honored the late Ozzy Osbourne, with a special tribute by Kelly Osbourne, who was a Season 2 contestant.
The 18 contestants this season were Eggplant, Pugcasso, Queen Corgi, the Croissants, Owl, 14 Karat Carrot, Snow Cone, Galaxy Girl, High Voltage, Googly Eyes, Scarab, Handyman, Crane, Le Who Who, Pangolin, Stingray, Cat Witch, and Calla Lily.
This season’s contestants have collectively sold 94 million records, received 47 Teen Choice Award nominations, 12 Emmy nominations, two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one Tony Award win, and one Academy Award nomination.
Here were the performances on Wednesday’s finale episode.
WINNER: Galaxy Girl
Songs: “Good 4 U,” by Olivia Rodrigo; “Try,” by Pink
Previous songs: “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl,” by Chappell Roan; “Just A Girl,” by No Doubt; “Drive,” by Incubus; “Lights,” by Ellie Goulding; “Misery Business,” by Paramore
Crack the Case Clue: Delivered by Jessica Simpson. “I could not be more proud. This is the moment. How amazing!” Clue: “All About Me.” “The book is just a little piece of her story, but an important one,” Jessica Simpson said.
Previous panel guesses: Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Emma Stone, Dixie D’Amelio, Anne Hathaway, Hillary Duff, Ashlee Simpson, Kate Hudson, Gwen Stefani, Taylor Momsen, Avril Lavigne, Aly Michalka
Galaxy Girl voiceover: “I’ve been wanting to do the Masked Singer forever. And now that I’m in the finale, I can confidently say it’s more transformative than I ever imagined. It’s not always easy to put yourself out there. When I was young and reckless, I didn’t think twice. It felt like the world was mine. But then one moment changed everything. I was publicly humiliated. Called a fraud, a fake. It was devastating. I was so young, and I thought it would define me forever. From then on, I became cautious. Taking risks just wasn’t worth it. I focused on my family. Being a mom. The school lunches, the soccer pickups. Until one of my kids heard my old music, and couldn’t believe it was me. So, I started saying yes again. Being here I’ve been able to go back to being that fearless performer I was all those years ago. And put my past behind me for good. For now, winning that golden mask trophy would show my kids that taking risks is worth it. And that their mom is, and always has been, a total rock star.”
2nd Place: Pugcasso
Song: “True Colors,” by Cyndi Lauper; “Sussudio,” by Phil Collins
Previous songs: “Ordinary,” by Alex Warren; “Fake Plastic Trees,” by Radiohead; “Too Much,” by Spice Girls; “Dreams,” by the Cranberries; “Bad Dreams,” by Teddy Swims
Crack the Case Clue: Delivered by BFF Randy Jackson. “Congrats on making it to the finale. I have to say, I’m not surprised, because it’s always been a yes for me, dawg. And now you’re a real dog!” Final clue: Golden ticket. “It takes me back to the golden opportunity that started it all.”
Previous panel guesses: Dan Reynolds, Darren Criss, Ryan Tedder, Jack Johnson, Rob Thomas, Pat Monahan, Vance Joy, Charlie Puth, Gavin DeGraw, Jason Mraz, Shay Mooney
Pugcasso voiceover: “This experience has been a roller coaster. I wasn’t sure what to make of this costume. A pug who paints? What even is that? I’m the guy who made a career out of performing with just a microphone and my guitar. After my first rehearsal, I was all turned around. I went back to my trailer and called my kids. They’re not used to their daddy being gone so long. Talking to them made me I needed to embrace this challenge. I spent so much of my career second guessing everything. The industry can rob you of so much joy. But where’s the best place to find it again? The Masked Singer! So, I decided to lean in and I’m a pug who paints, dangit! And I guess I even dance too. Tonight, the competition is on. I’m all in. For my kiddos.”
3rd Place: Cat Witch
Song: “Leave (Get Out),” by Jojo; “Greedy,” by Tate McRae
Previous songs: “Abracadabra,” by Lady Gaga; “Teenage Dream,” by Katy Perry; “It Will Rain,” by Bruno Mars; “Starships,” by Nicki Minaj; “Run to You,” by Whitney Houston
Crack the Case Clue: Delivered by her “bestie,” Season 13 finalist Meg Donnelly. “It is no shock to me that you are in the finale because you are so hard working.” Here’s the clue: Mousetrap. “I’ve never been afraid of a mouse. In fact, one helped launch my whole career.”
Previous panel guesses: Charli D’Amelio, Addison Rae, Lisa from Blackpink; Victoria Justice, Ashley Tisdale, Zendaya, Hailee Steinfeld, Jamie Lynn Spears, Katseye members, Vanessa Lachey, Noah Cyrus, Kylie Cantrall
Cat Witch voiceover: “I was the little girl who would practice performances all day, waiting for my parents to come home from work to show them what I could do. I’ve always had big dreams, and they’re still coming true. The last few years have been a total whirlwind. I remember going out on Halloween and seeing all these little girls dressed up like me. And I’m so thankful. But it’s a lot of pressure. I’m growing up now, and trying to figure out who I am. To be taken seriously. Who knew becoming Cat Witch was exactly what I needed. Being here I’ve grown so much and learned that I’m confident, powerful, sexy, fun. And I’m ready for whatever’s next. But I’m going to miss this. It’s been the best experience.”
4th Place: Crane
Song: “Together Again,” by Janet Jackson
Previous songs: “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay,” by Whitney Houston; “Say You’ll Be There,” by Spice Girls; “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan; “Break Free,” by Ariana Grande
Crack the Case Clue: Delivered by her “bestie,” Khalid. “I’m so proud of the Crane,” Khalid said. “The Crane is like my sister, we go way back. The Crane is one of the most hard working women in the industry and I’m so grateful to be standing by the Crane’s side.” Here’s what was inside: VMA, AMA, Guinness World Records, Kids Choice Award. “It’s not easy winning all these awards, but luckily, Crane had some help doing it.”
Previous panel guesses: Misty Copeland, Mya, Ashanti, Keke Palmer, Ciara, Taylor Swift, Normani, Tate McCrae, Halle Bailey, SZA
Crane voiceover: “The moment I got the call for The Masked Singer, I knew it would be a blast. But I had no idea it would be so healing. When I first rose to fame, I had my close friends by my side. Together, we dominated. I’m talking shopping sprees, world tours, sold out stadiums. But behind closed doors, I was suffering silently. The more fame we found together, the more it felt like the world was trying to rip us apart. And eventually, the world won. There is a lot that I had wished had been different. So when we recently had the chance to reunite, we worked it. With a birds eye view of the past, we did the best that we could with what we were given. The crane represents loyalty. And those are my girls forever. But it also represents good fortune. Longevity. This has been for me.”
Past “The Masked Singer” winners include T-Pain as Monster (Season 1), Wayne Brady as Fox (Season 2), Kandi Burruss as Night Angel (Season 3), LeAnn Rimes as Sun (Season 4), Nick Lachey as Piglet (Season 5), Jewel as Queen of Hearts (Season 6), Teyana Taylor as Firefly (Season 7), Amber Riley as Harp (Season 8), Bishop Briggs as Medusa (Season 9), Ne-Yo as Cow (Season 10), Vanessa Hudgens as Goldfish (Season 11), Boyz II Men as Buffalos (Season 12) and Gretchen Wilson as Pearl (Season 13).
“The Masked Singer” comes from Fox Alternative Entertainment. Rosie Seitchik, Craig Plestis and Cannon are executive producers, while Seitchik serves as showrunner. The series is based on the South Korean format created by Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp.
