'The Masked Dancer': Meet judges Ken Jeong, Brian Austin Green, Paula Abdul and Ashley Tisdale before the series premiere on FOX
'The Masked Dancer' will be replacing the hit show 'The Masked Singer' on Fox in the Wednesday night slot. Before it does, a special sneak peek episode of the new show will be airing on Sunday, December 27, on the network providing an exclusive look into Season 1 contestants, exclusive clues and first performances.
Judging by the names you will not be wrong in assuming that the two shows 'The Masked Singer' and 'The Masked Dancer' are bound to be similar, except for, you know, dancing rather than singing. But it turns out there are several components to “Dancer” that deviate from “Singer’s” format. Here's all you need to know about the brand new reality show and steal a glance at the judges on the show.
Concept
There are 10 competitors on the first season of “Masked Dancer,” which is a smaller number than “Singer”. Those competitors will be broken into two teams of five at the start. As opposed to the Masked Singer, “You have to pay attention to the moves, to the physical characteristics of these individuals. It’s a whole new game when you’re looking at it through this perspective of actually watching. Because all of them have clues all over the place, but you can tell a lot from when someone just walks on the stage. Are they young? Are they old? Are they male? Are they female? Are they athletic? Are they not?" Craig Plestis, the executive producer revealed.
Also, “Masked Dancer” will include a new “Word Up” Clue element that allows the judges and viewers at home to hear the speaking voices of the contestants, something that never happens on “Singer.”
Ahead of the show's premiere, meet the judges of the show that will be holding the show together and be responsible for bringing in most of the entertainment with their funny remarks and critique.
Dr Ken Jeong
Dr Ken "Wrong Answers Only" Jeong remains one of the most loved judges on 'TMS'. His popularity shot through the roof and the network gave him a solo-hosting gig with 'I Can See Your Voice' and was also announced as a judge on 'TMD'. Did you know the Dr in his name is because he has a legitimate medical degree? His parents wanted him to pursue a medical career even though he was inclined toward entertainment. Jeong did make a name for himself in the field of medicine but a chance gig at standup and the response he received paved his path to the world of entertainment.
Jeong might not come across as the athletic type but did you know he played football in high school and also won the State 4A championship? The nerd in him also competed at the Quiz Bowl and played the violin. Balance! Ken was recently seen as a judge on 'The Masked Singer' and he will be carrying forward his same charisma as a judge to 'The Masked Dancer' as well.
Ashley Tisdale
Ashley Tisdale needs no introduction. Growing up everyone knew her as the Disney girl but did you know she has psychic abilities? “My dreams consist of things that will happen that day. It’s like the weirdest thing. I’ll have like Mary-Kate Olsen in a dream and we’re shopping or something, and the next day they’ll be on the radio talking to Mary-Kate and Ashley. Maybe I’m just really in sync with my future or something, I don’t know," she'd once told Girl's Life.
She was set to do big things right from childhood and she began preparing herself for stardom from the tender age of 3. She sang for then-President Bill Clinton when she was just 13. She established herself as a commercial actress, a singer and a voice actress as well as a successful entrepreneur. She is the owner of a production company and her first producing credit was when she served as co-executive producer on the 2007 short film titled 'There's Something About Ashley: The Story of Headstrong', according to a report.
She also owned a cosmetic label called 'Illuminate' that she founded in 2016 but she claimed the responsibilities that came with managing that business but since she's wasn't able to handle the company and acting together, she decided to shutter the former this year.
Paula Abdul
Multihyphenated entertainer Paula Abdul has spent 3/4th of her 58 years on earth in the spotlight. She is American singer, songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress, and television personality. She began her career as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers at the age of 18 and later became the head choreographer for the Laker Girls, where she was discovered by The Jacksons.
She is a huge connoisseur of living the fit life and some of the activities that she doesn't need much coaxing into include: yoga and Pilates. “There are certain workouts [that] just live on my calendar — yoga, Pilates, dance and dance fitness — then there’s what I like to call my ‘freestyle fitness'" she said in 2019 during an interview with She Knows. “[It involves] walking the stairs, hiking, taking my dogs for a walk. I love the outdoors and it’s really great for my overall wellbeing to just get out into the open air," she continued.
Abdul was one of the original judges on 'American Idol' from 2002 to 2009, and has since appeared as a judge on 'The X Factor', 'Live to Dance' and 'So You Think You Can Dance'.
Brian Austin Green
Brian Austin Green aka the Giraffe on the recently concluded 'The Masked Singer' Season 4 is best known for his acting roles in 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles', 'Wedding Band', 'Anger Management' etc. Apart from being an entertainer, Green is also a huge philanthropist at heart and spends time working towards a number of social causes.
He's noted for his work for Generosity.org for which he has funded the creation of over ten wells for the organization, among other organizations. He also raises money on the Cameo app and in 2019 he revealed that he donates all of it to charity.
'The Masked Dancer' series premiere will air on Sunday, December 27, 2020, at 8 pm ET on FOX.