The Masked Singer S14 Reveals First Costume & Speculation Begins (SPOILERS)

The Masked Singer season 14 has revealed its first costume, and there’s a lot of speculation about who’s hiding behind the mask. The Masked Singer season 14 will premiere in January 2026 after the series skipped its fall season for the first time since it premiered in 2019. Host Nick Cannon will return, along with panelists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora.

The Masked Singer season 14 follows season 13, during which country music legend Gretchen Wilson was crowned the winner as Pearl, and pop music superstar Andy Grammer placed second. After months of waiting, fans have finally been given a glimpse of one of season 14’s costumes, and I think I know exactly who this is.

Could Nicole Scherzinger Be Returning For The Masked Singer Season 14?

In an Instagram post, The Masked Singer shared the first clip from season 14, which revealed a character singing in a short black dress with what appears to be a beetle’s head. Heiroglyphic-like symbols behind the singer on stage could indicate that the costume is a scarab beetle.

The clip also shares Jenny and Ken’s reactions to the singer, including both of them shouting, “What?!” and then Jenny saying, “No way!” They’re then shown looking completely shocked. Finally, Nick’s voice is heard proclaiming, “The Masked Singer is back!”

Although the new Masked Singer season 14’s character’s voice isn’t heard, it’s highly possible her true identity is former panelist Nicole Scherzinger. Nicole was an original panelist, but she left the show after season 10 to star as Norma Desmond in both the West End and Broadway productions of Sunset Blvdfor which she won the Olivier and Tony Awards. Rita took Nicole’s seat on the panel for seasons 11-13.

Ever since Nicole left The Masked Singerfans have been waiting for her to return either as a panelist or a special guest star or even a contestant. While it’s unlikely that she’d compete, it would be exciting if she appeared in one episode, much like Lil Wayne (Robot, season 3), Demi Lovato (Anonymous, season 10), and Kevin Hart (Book, season 11).

Nicole performed on The Masked Singer several times when she was a panelist. It would be fantastic to have her back on stage again now that her Sunset Blvd run is over.

Fans Agree That Nicole Might Be Behind The Newest Mask

The Masked Singer fans agreed that Nicole could be behind the newest mask, and many hoped that it was true. Miss Masky, said Masked Singer clue provider, wrote, “Could that be Nicole???,” which led one fan to ask, “Nah, you’re not teasing that ARE YOU?!?!?!” Another said, “we have the same exact thoughts,” while someone else demanded, “LISTEN!!! NICOLE BETTER BE BACK!!!”

Several other fans also believed that Nicole could be making a Masked Singer comeback in this costume. One wrote, “I bet you Nicole is under the mask this time lmao.” Another added, “Imagine that the first masked singer in this trailer is Nicole Scherzinger from our past. And she surprises the panelists. Just a thought.” Another viewer said, “Nicole making a comeback??? ONSTAGE???” Someone else simply stated, “I hope @nicolescherzinger is a contestant.”

Although it’s all just speculation, it’s exciting and fun to imagine that Nicole would return to The Masked Singer in a costume in order to surprise Nick, the panelists, the audience, and the fans. Rita has been doing a phenomenal job in her place, but fans have greatly missed seeing Nicole on the show. From her spectacular performances to her detective skills that earned her the nickname Sherlock Scherzy from Nick, Nicole belongs on The Masked Singer.

Source: The Masked Singer/Instagram