'The Masked Dancer': Meet Cotton Candy, Exotic Bird, Hammerhead and all costumes and clues on 'The Masked Singer' spinoff
FOX's wildly successful series 'The Masked Singer' may be over but you can get set to catch a brand new version of the show. Before the show replaces the recently concluded show in the 8 pm slot on Wednesdays, a special premiere episode will air on Sunday, December 27, 2020.
From the looks of it, it's bigger and grander and the presence of comedy king Dr Ken Jeong on the judges' panel along with Brian Austin Green, Ashley Tisdale and Paula Abdul makes it all the more exciting. You can watch the trailer by clicking on the video below:
Is 'The Masked Dancer' different from 'The Masked Singer'?
The spinoff of 'The Masked Singer' will follow the same format as the original. Ten celebrities masked head to toe in bizarre costumes will take the stage this time, showing off their dancing abilities but the hints about their identities won't be restricted to the clue packages alone as "there will be clues everywhere" helping the judges and the audiences at home decode the identities.
In a conversation with Variety, Rob Wade, FOX's head of alternative entertainment and specials said, “Obviously the difference in the format is the fact that you don’t hear someone’s voice, yet you still have to guess, so we need to work out ways to help the viewer guess people in a slightly different way. It doesn’t have to be a solo dance. It could be a group dance or dances with another person who doesn’t have a mask on, so you can have partners as well, which would give you the ability to have a variety of different dances. I think it’s a question of how you can get the clues out."
What are the clues and the new rule?
The outlet also reported that there's a new rule that will differentiate 'The Masked Dancer' from its original installment. The judges will have the opportunity to hear the contestants say one word in their real voices. “We added in a special clue for the first time. It’s called ‘Word Up,’ where you actually could hear their real voices speak,” executive producer Craig Plestis shared during the Television Critics Association winter press tour. “We’ve never heard their voices underneath the mask before [on 'The Masked Singer']. That’s a big clue on 'The Masked Dancer', in terms of the identity of some people, and the [judges] picked up on that. They were pretty observant of that.”
Abdul also teased, “The clues came from everywhere — within the costume, even in the stage setting and choreography,” adding, “It was incredible.” What's more, she added she “could tell immediately” when a contestant had real dance training, “because they are doing technical steps that only someone who is trained would know how to do.”
Here are all the masked celebrities this season:
Tulip
Covered in green leaves, the body of the Tulip looks ravishing and the highlight is the pink petals that make up its face and skirt. What's more, those green boots perfectly round off the look!
Moth
Beautifully sequined in a red, deep blue, red, purple, and gold combination, the Moth costume stands out from the rest. Those flashy red boots and golden wings perfectly complement the look, don't you think?
Zebra
Oh, those black-and-white fringes... The Masked Dancer’s outfit replicates a zebra and it is accented with shiny black shoes. Apart from the huge head, the Zebra wears black and white striped gloves to conceal hands.
Cotton Candy
Aw, so sugary and sweet! With a dash of pink, yellow, blue, purple, and green colors in the costume, Cotton Candy seems all set to shine on the dance floor! Those cute eyes and shiny pink shoes make for an unforgettable sight!
Exotic Bird
So pretty! Aren't those the first words that come out of your mouth after looking at the costume? The intricate bird mask is accented with white, red, and yellow feathers and the feathered and sequined dress is a treat for the eyes. Oh, and don't miss those oh-so-hot sequined knee-high boots!
Hammerhead
Stylish and slick, Hammerhead looks lively and spirited as ever! Sporting a yellow jersey red shorts and red and blue high tops, the costume does blow minds. Did you notice the gold medal around his neck that says “Hammer Time”? He seems all set to ace the competition, doesn't he?
Cricket
The green and gold costume is a classic Cricket look, isn't it? Let's see if the celebrity can pull off classy moves too.
Discoball
A disco dancer, whoa! The costume takes you back to the '80s disco era, doesn't it? With a slice of psychedelic fever, Disco Ball is clad in a red and pink suit for his performance with a peace sign on his glasses and a signature mustache.
Sloth
The Sloth gives a vibrant look with that sporty outfit. Don't you think the pair of yellow and purple shorts gives vibes like the basketball team Los Angeles Lakers?
Ice Cube
'Ice Ice Baby...' That Vanilla Ice song will instantly pop up in your mind after one look at the costume. Those blue jacket and jeans are chic and comfy all at the same time. Do you think the Ice Cube can heat up the stage or will it go flat?
FOX earlier revealed that between all the celebrity competitors on the series premiere of this show, they've amassed more than 38 million albums sold worldwide, 20 Emmy(R) Award wins, 20 Grammy(R) Award nominations, 10 World Dancing titles, five New York Times Best-Selling Author titles, four Olympic gold medals, and three Broadway show appearances. Dazzled and enamored by the costumes, aren't you? Can you guess who's who beneath the masks? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
'The Masked Dancer' premieres on Sunday, December 27, 2020, at 8 pm ET on FOX.