The highly anticipated episode of the hit FOX series sees Macaw and Medusa hitting the stage for the last time as only one of them will be presented with the coveted Golden Mask trophy.
- May 18, 2023
AceShowbiz - "The Masked Singer" season 9 aired its finale on Wednesday, May 17. The highly anticipated episode of the hit FOX series saw Macaw and Medusa hitting the stage for the last time as only one of them would be presented with the coveted Golden Mask trophy.
Kicking off the night was Macaw. In his clue package, the colorful bird said, "I can show the colors I was too afraid to show and I'm able to tap deeper emotionally in my performances." He additionally admitted he hesitated returning to television out of fear of "being judged again," adding, "If I win, it means I actually can win something."
For the big night, Macaw opted to perform "Hold Back the River" by James Bay. Judge Ken Jeong raved, "This is the strongest performance I have seen you do all season." Among the guesses were David Archuleta, Darren Criss and Neil Patrick Harris.
Following it up, Medusa took the stage. She noted in her clue package, "I think people who know me wouldn't be the least bit surprised I'm wearing a costume with a bunch of snakes all over it and looking creepy." She added, "I mean, a cheeky reptilian enchantress is basically my aesthetic."
She later belted out "Elastic Heart" by Sia Furler. After the performance, judge Robin Thicke said, "You've been one of my favorites of all nice seasons. You are one of the best we've ever had. Period." The panel, who also included Nicole Scherzinger and Jenny McCarthy, thought that Medusa could be Bishop Briggs, Fergie (Stacy Ferguson), Grimes or Shirley Manson.
In the Finale, each of the singers performed twice and Macaw opted to sing "All by Myself" by Eric Carmen. Macaw, who said that he had "major injury last year that left me silent for three months," shared in his final clue package, "I had a lot of anxiety before coming onto this show because I was afraid to show myself. And it's been a difficult last couple years."
As for Medusa, she revealed in her final clue package, "I hope when my son watches this, he'll hear Medusa's message that we are capable of being so many different things all at once; that with great loss, there is always still joy. And more than anything, it's worth fighting for." She concluded, "I hope I make him proud."
Medusa rounded out the night with a show-stopping performance of "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance. "To me, that sounded like a winning anthem that she just sang," Jenny commented.
It was finally time for host Nick Cannon to announce the season 9 winner. Nick revealed that Medusa came out as the winner. "Oh my God!" Medusa shouted. "Thank you so much! Thank you. This is the craziest, kindest thing ever, so thank you."
Before viewers got to know Medusa's real identity, Macaw was unmasked. He turned out to be "American Idol" alum David Archuletta, meaning that Nicole guessed correctly. Nicole's streak continued because Medusa was revealed to British singer Bishop Briggs.
