Let's take a look behind the mask. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re unmasking some of the behind-the-scenes tidbits masquerading behind “The Masked Singer.”
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00:00 "One of the most impressive things is how tough they are to keep the magic of the show going."
00:05 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're unmasking some of the behind-the-scenes tidbits masquerading
00:11 behind the masked singer.
00:13 "Don't feel a dream, can't you see it getting closer? Just surrender, 'cause you feel the feeling taking over."
00:19 Number 10. Celebrity stand-ins.
00:23 If you've seen the UK series, you'll know host Joel Domet practically made a catchphrase of
00:29 announcing that the clue packages feature stand-ins, rather than the actual celebs.
00:34 "Pay very close attention to tonight's clue packages, part of which features stunt doubles,
00:39 because our celebs were just too busy interviewing stunt doubles. You can never have too many."
00:44 No, don't worry. The people we see singing on stage and interacting with the judges
00:49 are the actual celebrities. But that's pretty much it. These are busy people, after all.
00:54 And one way to entice them to sign up for the show is to assure them it won't take up too much of
00:59 their time. "And after years of living in the public eye, you're in my house now. Welcome to my empire."
01:06 According to Rabbit, aka Joey Fatone, he recorded the dialogue for his clues.
01:13 However, even he doesn't know who was burrowing in the costume during the clue packages.
01:17 "As a young cottontail, I sought fame and everyone wanted a piece of me.
01:22 But life isn't always carrots and cream." "Who's this child after?"
01:25 Number 9. Who chooses the songs?
01:28 Ever wondered who chooses the songs the contestants sing?
01:31 Well, according to showrunner Izzy Pick Ibarra, it's a team effort.
01:35 "As long as we can get it right, one time, sing it up. We are a part of a rhythm nation."
01:42 Contestants can compose their dream song list, and sometimes, the execs help narrow it down
01:48 by selecting tunes that amplify the celebrity's voice or persona. Ice Cream, aka Tyler "Ninja"
01:54 Blevins, shared that producers often wanted more widely recognizable tunes,
01:59 but ultimately, he got to choose his set list.
02:01 Meanwhile, Flower, aka Patti LaBelle, said she submitted a list of songs she'd like to perform,
02:15 but numbers like "Eye of the Tiger" weren't her call. Her voice is pretty recognizable,
02:20 so we wouldn't be surprised if the producers threw in a few curveballs to lead viewers off
02:24 her scent.
02:25 Number 8. No fraternizing between contestants and panelists.
02:37 Think the panel has secret insights or uncovers backstage clues? Think again.
02:42 "It's like two separate shows going on. It is like, contrary to popular belief,
02:45 like no one knows. We don't know who the contestant, Nick Cannon, the host doesn't know.
02:49 It's like two separate productions in one."
02:52 Executive producer Craig Plestis disclosed a strict off-camera interaction ban for contestants
02:58 and panelists. They're strategically separated across the studio, making it tough for even the
03:04 best sleuth to track down the contestants. Even if they managed, they'd still need to get past
03:09 security. Sound sources are also systematically silenced, wiping out any chance of catching
03:15 voices. Even Jenny McCarthy was surprised by this meticulous planning, apparently only learning
03:21 about it online. "I still have no idea. Stage managers, choreographers, camera people, sound
03:27 and lighting crew are all kept in the dark." Backstage, only a few individuals know who's
03:33 behind the masks. Everyone else, from writers to directors, refers to them by their characters.
03:39 Imagine finding out you've been calling Dick Van Dyke "Gnome" for weeks.
03:43 "It's an honor to have you on our show.
03:47 Like, I can't believe you're here. I'm trying to like play it cool."
03:52 Number seven, contestants are bound under lock and key. As you might know,
03:56 "The Masked Singer" is typically pre-recorded. Now, many of us will know what it's like holding
04:01 onto a juicy secret and how the longer you keep it to yourself, the more you want to scream it
04:06 from the rooftops. "To avoid being recognized, even their friends, family, agents, and managers
04:13 are disguised at all times." So how does "The Masked Singer" get around that? Well,
04:18 according to Drew Carey, aka Llama, contestants had to sign a hefty NDA. "I'm not allowed to talk
04:24 about the show with anybody. I signed this big NDA. So I'm like, I'm not getting sued because
04:27 I got in touch with Wayne Brady and told him good job." In fact, Plestis emphasized that more efforts
04:34 went into preserving the show's secrets than planning its entire structure. Contestants are
04:39 actually allowed to tell a couple of other people on the condition that they also sign a
04:43 non-disclosure agreement and conceal their identity if they ever come to set. "Even their agent and
04:49 publicist or their whole squad, they have to wear masks just in case if like, like let's say we
04:54 would have the same agent or something like that. Like, like we don't know who anybody is." Number
04:59 six, behind the costumes. "The Masked Singer" showcases a stunning array of costumes. Thanks
05:05 to the creative brilliance of costume designer Maria Toibina, later Tim Chappell, and their
05:11 skilled teams. "I think costuming tells a story that a lot of us really can't find the words for,
05:17 and that's what's so mesmerizing about it, even seeing these costumes perform or take character
05:21 of their own." These outfits actually play a key role in getting celebrities on board.
05:26 Then contestants dive into a personalized selection process, choosing outfits that
05:31 resonate with them aesthetically or on a deeper level. "Broccoli was easy because I like broccoli,
05:36 and I eat broccoli all the time." "I picked the Whatcha Macaulay, 'cause you don't really know
05:40 what it is. It can be anything you want to be. It has my favorite colors on it as well." "When
05:43 they sent me the picture, I just said, 'This is just funny.'" Despite being tailored for stage
05:47 functionality, these costumes are as elaborate and robust as they look. Fun fact, Lion's mask
05:53 is molded from clay and then adorned with a full gold paint job. Wearing these costumes is no
05:59 cakewalk either. They're heavy and can sometimes limit visibility. "One thing to sing a song,
06:04 and it's another thing to sing a song with a giant costume on." "The weight of the costume
06:08 made it difficult." "Kinda hard to see, and the helmet was huge." "All you can see is this."
06:13 Contestants can't even dress themselves. They're assigned to a team to assist them at every step,
06:18 even when they need to use the facilities.
06:20 5. Contestants get to spruce up before unmasking
06:26 Celebrities are generally used to looking their best when they appear on television.
06:30 "Who's behind the mask? And who's about to take it all off? Well, not all, just the mask."
06:36 However, that's less of an issue when you're hidden under those masks.
06:39 Well, until your big reveal, of course. If any potential future contestants are watching,
06:44 don't worry, because you won't be revealing yourself as a hot, sweaty mess.
06:48 "Say it with me!" "Take it off! Take it off! Take it off!"
06:55 Once eliminated, celebs are swiftly taken backstage for hair and makeup before anyone
07:00 gets a peek under the mask. If you thought sitting at home biting your nails as the crowd chants
07:05 "take it off" was stressful, imagine being in the studio and having to wait for the mystery
07:09 celeb to get their glam on first. "My goodness, Tori Kelly! Singer-songwriter,
07:16 and one of the greatest voices of this generation!"
07:20 Number 4. No phones. Inviting audiences into a show bound by extreme secrecy poses risks,
07:28 especially in the digital age.
07:29 Even with NDAs, maintaining confidentiality is likely still challenging. Phones and other
07:42 electronic devices are strictly prohibited on set, including among staff members.
07:47 "Our studio audience is also under extreme scrutiny. They must sign contracts binding
07:52 them to secrecy and all electronics are banned." Executive producer Izzy Pick Ibarra revealed a
07:59 hilariously savage measure they implemented to keep people off their devices. If someone really,
08:05 really needs their phone, they can use it. But there's a catch. They have to wear something
08:09 they call a "shame sash." We wonder if they also get everyone to chant "put it on, put it on."
08:16 That would be pretty embarrassing. Well, that's one way to keep everyone in line, isn't it?
08:20 Number 3. Unconventional talent pickups. Ever spotted those photos of the Masked Singer
08:32 contestants rocking those "don't talk to me" hoodies? "I have a hoodie on that says 'don't
08:36 talk to me' the entire time we're here." "I want that hoodie, by the way." Well,
08:39 that's just the beginning of the secrecy measures to keep their identities locked down.
08:43 First off, they go undercover before arriving on set, meeting drivers at random spots.
08:49 "You leave your hotel, the valet says there's a car here for Jingle Bells,
08:52 so already you look like a stripper." "You pull up to the lot, and I'm like,
08:55 'Oh my God, I gotta put my gloves on.'" "My hands couldn't be showing, my legs couldn't be showing."
08:59 For example, Fatone shared he was told to meet his driver at a 7-Eleven and found his disguise
09:05 ready in the car. In another instance, Carey said he was instructed to go to the Grove Shopping
09:10 Center, where he donned his disguise and hopped into a different car. Sometimes, they even double
09:16 bluff, using two vehicles to confuse snooping paparazzi hellbent on spoiling the fun. From
09:22 rehearsals to live shows, contestants must remain incognito until they're off-site and out-of-sight.
09:28 "It's such an unusual situation." "I probably have more security
09:33 than the President of the United States."
09:35 Number 2 - Top Secret Unmaskings
09:38 Okay, so we've established the heist-level secrecy that goes into making this show a success,
09:43 but let's talk about what happens among the contestants.
09:45 "You think that maybe we might know who each other are?"
09:48 "We have no idea."
09:50 Like the panel, they're intentionally kept apart, from rigidly allotted rehearsal time
09:55 to separate dressing rooms. According to Margaret Cho, aka Poodle, she'd only cross paths with her
10:01 fellow contestants on stage. Meanwhile, Wayne Brady, aka Fox, said that at first, he couldn't
10:07 even hear the others singing. However, as the group dwindled, he would walk by the stage while
10:12 the other singers were in sound checks and started forming his own guesses.
10:16 "It is amazing, and it works really well. In fact, I never even heard anyone sound check,
10:22 except once. I overheard who I now know was Chris Daughtry."
10:26 Generally, contestants are in the same boat as us viewers. They discover how the episode
10:31 unfolds when it airs. "Still don't know who anybody is, and it's been killing me,
10:35 so I probably would fangirl over everybody."
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10:54 Number one, not all audiences see contestants take it off. Thinking about catching a taping
11:00 of the masked singer? Well, here's the scoop. You might not actually get to see any unmasking.
11:05 If you're content with chanting "take it off" and heading home, you're golden.
11:19 However, as one audience member shared, before the big reveal, the still-masked
11:24 celeb slips backstage. Meanwhile, most of the audience is sent home. Only a lucky bunch,
11:30 reportedly often those with personal ties to the singer, stick around for the real deal.
11:34 "The panel definitely wasn't expecting my voice to come out of this face,
11:39 and you probably weren't either."
11:40 So yeah, if you're in the audience, get ready to do a lot of acting. If you go to a live taping,
11:45 you might only find out who was unmasked alongside the rest of us watching at home months later.
11:50 "So there's too much lying going on. I have to repent."
11:52 "And now I can finally say, 'Hey everybody, it's me, Shiri!' And I loved it. It was fantastic."
12:00 Did any of our facts surprise you as much as your most shocking celeb reveal?
12:05 Let us know in the comments.
12:06 "I'm really good at lying, so I'm gonna try a banker and the tax man."
12:12 Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo,
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12:20 [Music]