Premiere Date: January 2026
Host: Nick Cannon
Panel: Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, and Rita Ora
Number of Episodes: 13
Network: FOX or Hulu
The Masked Singer has entertained audiences since its premiere on FOX in January 2019, earning much acclaim.
Inspired by the South Korean show, King of Mask Singer, the US reality competition series features celebrity performances whose identities are hidden by fun head-to-toe costumes.
The all-star panel will need to guess the performers concealed under the costumes, and they will receive subtle clues to help them form a decision.
At the end of each episode, the masked singer who failed to wow the judges will be eliminated from the competition, before taking off their mask to reveal their identity.
Many of the most recognizable faces in entertainment have competed in The Masked Singer throughout the years.
Past winners include Wayne Brady (Fox), LeAnn Rimes (Sun), Nick Lachey (Piglet), Ne-Yo (Cow), Vanessa Hudgens (Goldfish), Boyz II Men (Buffalos), and, most recently, Gretchen Wilson (Pearl).
The 2026 Host and Panel
The 14th season of The Masked Singer is scheduled to arrive on FOX across America in January 2026.
The premiere date is a major change for the show, as it typically has two seasons a year in the spring and fall. According to FOX, the date was changed to “enhance the show with the biggest names” and to prevent burnout while boosting the series’ creativity.
Nick Cannon will return as The Masked Singer host and will be joined on the stage by a panel of famous faces, including singers Robin Thicke and Rita Ora, TV personality Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, and actor Ken Jeong.
It was recently confirmed that Nicole Scherzinger will not return to the show, as Rita Ora took her seat on the panel last year while she appeared in the hit Broadway show Sunset Boulevard. However, the Pussycat Dolls singer has chosen to step away from the competition series to focus on other projects.
Fans of The Masked Singer will be delighted to learn that many shocks could be in store during season 14. According to FOX, it is the “biggest, most star-studded season yet.”
Production
Many fans were disappointed that The Masked Singer skipped the fall 2025 season, as the producers are eager to retain the show’s creativity and prevent burnout.
However, fans will not need to wait too long for the next season, as production reportedly started on the 14th season in the fall of 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
The first episode of The Masked Singer was taped on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, in front of a live studio audience.
The 2026 Contestants
As always, no celebrity contestants have been confirmed for season 14, as the show relies on keeping their identities a closely guarded secret.
Also, the elaborate costume themes haven’t been revealed, meaning audiences might need to wait until the premiere to find out.
Like recent seasons of The Masked Singer, the 2026 contestants are likely to be split into three groups, which they will compete in until they reach the finals.
Devoted fans can expect plenty of jaw-dropping moments once The Masked Singer returns, as Fox confirmed, “This juggernaut will return next year for Season 14 as it takes midseason by storm with a spectacular, super-charged new season.”