The Masked Singer Season 11 Finale Recap: Winner and Runner-Up Revealed

SPOILER ALERT: Details follow for “The Masked Singer” Season 11, Episode 13, “Finale: One Mask Takes It All,” airing May 22 on Fox.

‘The Masked Singer’ winner Vanessa Hudgens admits she didn’t necessarily play the hiding game: At least among her friends and fans, they quickly figured out it was her under the costume. goldfish.

“Rita (Ora) guessed it was me from the jump,” Hudgens said. “But she’s also my friend. And we saw each other a few days before the first episode!

Hudgens beat Scott Porter, who had performed this season as Gumball, to win the “Masked Singer” trophy. Coincidentally, Hudgens and Porter previously starred together in 2009’s “Bandslam.”

Despite their history, Hudgens said production kept her completely in the dark about the identities of her competitors. “I was so invested every step of the way,” she said. “I was really trying to get them to change the way they did things because I was like, ‘I think it would be really fun if the contestants knew who the other contestants were!’ They keep you secret. But I would do my performances, and then I would sit backstage in my costume, completely covered, and watch everyone else’s performances. From the moment Kevin Hart made his whole situation, I laughed. It’s just a wild ride. You never know what’s going to happen with “The Masked Singer.”

Hudgens noted that the show’s production team takes secrecy very seriously. “I didn’t see any competitors,” she said. “If I was in the studio a lot, I had a face shield on, a hoodie pulled up, and I wore gloves so even my hands weren’t visible. It was very secret. But when it came to singing and performing, it’s something I love and have integrity in and I wanted to give it my all – even if it was completely hidden behind the mask.

So what made Hudgens decide to film “The Masked Singer” last fall? “It was an interesting time for our industry,” she said. “We were on strike and we were just looking for where to take the next step. My fans have been so supportive and love it when they hear something of me singing. They had been asking for this for some time now. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to give them that – and see who the real fans are.

For the Goldfish winner, Rita Ora knew it was her pal Vanessa Hudgens, and Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg agreed. Robin Thicke went with Hilary Duff. Ken Jeong said it was Nicole Scherzinger.

As for Gumball, no one got the better of Scott Porter. McCarthy-Wahlberg and Thicke went with Derek Hough; Jeong said it was Taran Killam and Ora guessed Joseph Gordon Levitt.

Vanessa Hudgens as Goldfish and Scott Porter as Gumball join Thelma Houston (Clock), Chrissy Metz (Poodle Moth), Corey Feldman (Seal) and Clay Aiken/Ruben Studdard (Beets), Jenifer Lewis (Miss Cleocatra) , Kate Flannery (Starfish), Charlie Wilson (Ugly Sweater), DeMarcus Ware (Koala), Colton Underwood (Love Bird), Sisqó (Lizard), Billy Bush (Sir Lion), Joe Bastianich (Spaghetti & Meatballs), Savannah Chrisley ( Afghan Hound) and Kevin Hart (Book) as the celebrities unmasked on “The Masked Singer” this season.

Hudgens joins previous winners Ne-Yo (Cow), Bishop Briggs (Medusa), Amber Riley (Harp), Teyana Taylor (Firefly), Jewel (Queen of Hearts), Nick Lachey (Piglet), LeAnn Rimes (Sun), Kandi Burruss. (Night Angel), Wayne Brady (Fox) and T-Pain (Monster).

Returning for season 11 is host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke, while Rita Ora has joined The Office to replace Nicole Scherzinger, who was in London to star on “Sunset Boulevard » in the West End.

“The Masked Singer” Season 11 themed episodes included “The Wizard of Oz,” celebrating the classic film’s 85th anniversary; “Transformers” (on the occasion of the brand’s 40th anniversary) and musical tributes including “Billy Joel Night” and “Queen Night”. Additional themes include “Girl Groups”, “Soundtrack of My Life”, “TV Theme Party” and “Shower Anthems”.

Featuring sixteen famous singers in total, including three “wildcards”, season 11 featured new costumes, including “Gumball”, “Lizard”, “Ugly Sweater”, “Goldfish”, “Starfish”, “Book”, “Gumball” , “Miss Cleocatra”. », “Afghan Hound”, “Beets”, “Poodle Moth”, “Clock”, “Spaghetti & Meatballs”, “Lizard”, “Koala”, “Seal” and “Sir Lion”. According to the show, season 11 contestants had a total of 22 Grammy nominations, 11 platinum albums, 33 Teen Choice nominations, 108 million records sold, 326 movie appearances and 1.7 billion Spotify streams.

Here are the performances from Wednesday’s Episode 13, “Finale: One Mask Takes It All”:

Goldfish (Group A Champion)

Song: “Heart of Glass”, by Blondie; “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Elton John

The panel guesses: Lea Michele, Nina Dobrev, Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Sarah Hyland, Julianne Hough, Hilary Duff, Carly Rae Jepsen, Nicole Scherzinger

Last words: “This experience was so incredible and so special for me. This really surprised me. Because not everyone knows what I actually do. And the fact that you saw me, that you really saw me for what I love to do, really lights a fire under my little fishtail. Thank you very much, this means everything to me.

Package voiceover: “I loved being able to swim into new territories as a golden girl on that stage. As a little girl, I was never really good at expressing myself. It’s not something I really grew up with. But lately, I’ve been on a journey of self-discovery. And being here, I was able to express myself so freely. I come from a working-class family with no ties to Hollywood. So there is no reason for me to achieve this. But I am proof that with enough work and dedication, you really can do anything. And I’m so proud of my performance. I can’t wait to have kids when that time comes so I can say, “Look mommy goes!” I know I’m up against some tough competition, but winning would be the last pat on the back. It would mean so much. This makes me so emotional. Because I’ve always considered myself an actor first and foremost, singing kind of comes second. Doing The Masked Singer is my way of offering everyone a musical moment. And the response made me wish it would never end.

Previous songs: “Vampire,” by Olivia Rodrigo, “Baby Come Back” by Player; “The Show Must Go On,” by Queen; “Unforgettable,” by Nat King Cole; “You Should Know,” by Alanis Morissette

The previous panel guesses: Lea Michele, Selena Gomez, Carly Rae Jepsen, Sarah Hyland, Kristen Stewart, Nina Dobrev, Hilary Duff, Vanessa Hudgens, Nicole Scherzinger, Hilary Duff, Julianne Hough, Ashley Tisdale, Selena Gomez

Gumball (Group B Champion)

Song: “Latch”, by Disclosure feat. Sam Smith; “Renegade”, by Styx

The panel guesses: Jamie Dornan, Taran Killam, James Marsden, Derek Hough, Kevin Jonas, James Van Der Beek, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Scott Porter

Final words: “This performance tonight was about my parents. I told you they were in a rock band, but they could never pay the bills with their artistry. So they worked hard – 40, 60, 80 hours a week just to get in on the weekends, do what they loved and perform on stage. I understand now why it was so special to them. Because I know that tomorrow I will return to my daily work. This has been the time of my life and I am so grateful and honored to be on this stage.

Package voiceover: “Am I in the final? What? This experience was unreal. It’s wonderful to show what I’m capable of musically. But I fought for it. Survive two smackdowns and two battle royales? In my life, I have had to fight to be seen. Imagine trying something thousands of times and only getting a handful right. And yet, in Hollywood, it’s considered a victory. I’ve been on television for almost two decades non-stop and yet, being here, I feel like I’ve finally been able to show who I really am. Tonight, I’m in for the biggest fight of my life. Against goldfish! I will therefore dedicate myself body and soul to these last two performances. Win or lose, this trip changed everything. I don’t want to stop doing that on the other side of this show, because it brings me so much joy. So thank you, Masked Singer for this experience. I really felt like a kid in a candy store.

Previous songs: “If Only I Had a Heart,” by Jack Haley; “Wide Open Spaces,” by the Chicks; “Carry On Wayward Son,” from Kansas; “I’m Yours,” by Jason Mraz; “I Lived,” by OneRepublic

The previous panel guesses: Chace Crawford, Kevin Jonas, Jamie Dornan, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Derek Hough, Taran Killam, Jack Black, Zachary Levi, James Marsden, James van der Beek, Jason Sudeikis, Taylor Kitsch

Last season’s performers included Ne-Yo as Cow, John Schneider as Donut, Macy Gray as Sea Queen and Janel Parrish as Gazelle, joining John Oates as Anteater, Keyshia Cole as Candelabra, Sebastian Bach as Tiki, Ginuwine as Husky, Ashley Parker Angel as S.’plus, Metta World Peace as Cuddle Monster, Luann de Lesseps as as Hibiscus, Tyler Posey as Hawk, Billie Jean King as Royal Hen, Michael Rapaport as Pickle, Tom Sandoval as Diver, Anthony Anderson as Rubber Ducky and one-time special guest Demi Lovato as Anonymouse.

Fox Alternative Entertainment is behind “The Masked Singer,” which is executive produced by showrunner…