‘The Masked Singer’ Fans Reckon The Wrong Winner Was Crowned
The Masked Singer has come to its inevitable end. This season has seen a Zombie, Gnome, Poodle, and insatiably horny Rooster share the stage and coincidentally, my therapy bill has shot through the roof.
On Sunday night’s finale, Mirrorball, Snapdragon, and Rooster faced off before the final three were unmasked. Not to humble brag, but we did guess every single celebrity on that finale stage.
Mirrorball was crowned the winner and it turned out to be…(*drum roll*)… Pussycat Doll, Melody Thornton.
Australia, here she is, your #MaskedSingerAU winner, Melody Thornton. Keep shining! ✨ pic.twitter.com/xAxgjoOnYJ
— The Masked Singer Australia (@maskedsinger_au) August 28, 2022
Mirrorball slayed the stage with a boppy rendition of Donna Summers’ ‘Last Dance’ before being chosen as the 2022 winner. The only judge to guess that a Pussycat Doll was under Mirrorball was ummm… Dave Hughes. Imagine that!
Melody was hyped to be crown the season’s victor. “It was just so nice to have lovely comments, and encouragement as well, to bring this character to life,” she said. “This really helped my relationship with myself. It brought me closer to myself.”
Rooster placed third and was unmasked as Aussie acting icon, Hugh Sheridan.
We're so c-lucky to have Hugh Sheridan on The #MaskedSingerAU! You're welcome back any time ? pic.twitter.com/dK10cIrNpG
— The Masked Singer Australia (@maskedsinger_au) August 28, 2022
Host Osher Günsberg shed some light on the method acting techniques Hugh had apparently employed during filming, and thanks for those nightmare.
Hugh got into Rooster's character so much – he even built a nest for it. My boss said she would go in to chat with him, and he was sitting quietly like he was hatching eggs. So epic. #MaskedSingerAU
— Osher Günsberg (@oshergunsberg) August 28, 2022
Sheldon Riley was unmasked as Snapdragon (shocker!), but it was his position as runner-up that has caused some controversy. After placing second, Sheldon said “It’s been a really long road for me. I was diagnosed with Asperger’s as a kid, so people always worried about me,” he said.
“It wasn’t until this show that I realised that I need to be so proud of my talent, and really show people that I don’t need a mask to do what I do!”
It was non-stop gooseys from start to finish with Snapdragon. Thank you, Sheldon Riley ? #MaskedSingerAU pic.twitter.com/7tuZJJ91VY
— The Masked Singer Australia (@maskedsinger_au) August 28, 2022
Snapdragon had consistently blessed us with spine-tingling performances — from ‘Stay’ to ‘Never Enough’ — and some viewers weren’t pleased that Snapdragon missed out on the winner’s title.
Also this is 2 seasons in a row that an international person has won #MaskedSingerAU. Snapdragon was such a better performer.
— unhingedmushroom (@dreadfulfrog) August 28, 2022
If Sheldon Riley gets robbed of yet another win on a television show tonight imma be sending a heavily worded email to Network 10 ??♂️ #MaskedSingerAU
— Ollie ? (@OllieOlsen_) August 28, 2022
I thought this was a boring performance of the night.
Completely rigged she has won
— Hannah Pope (@Hannibella) August 28, 2022
Snapdragon should have won. Congrats @SheldRiley you are incredibly talented, #maskedsingerau
— Chris Robinson (@Deansmum) August 28, 2022
So the #MaskedSingerAU gets won by an American when an Aussie performer was clearly better. I guess money does talk then
— ??Stacey?? (@TinkerTigerBell) August 28, 2022
This isn’t the first time that The Masked Singer winner has stirred controversy: in 2020, viewers were left outraged when Bushranger (Bonnie Anderson) was chosen instead of Queen (Kate Miller-Heidke) who gave nonstop spectacular performances.
Whether you think she deserved it or not, it’s pretty iconic that a Spice Girl, Pussycat Doll, and Destiny’s Child member all blessed The Masked Singer stage this season.
a spice girl, a pussycat doll and a destiny’s child walked into a bar #MaskedSingerAU
— bib ? (@fruityfourinc) August 28, 2022
Something we can all agree on is that Mel B made the whole damn season for her sassy comebacks and always putting Hughesy (and his godawful guesses) in his place.
The best thing about this season of #MaskedSingerAU has been Mel B's pure disdain for Hughesy.
She doesn't even attempt to hide it haha. #MaskedSingerAU
— Nez ?? (@fraggle73) August 28, 2022
As the #MaskedSingerAU draws to a close, a helpful summary for those who missed the season:
Mel B/Abbie/Chrissie Swan: Guesses reflecting careful research, critical thinking, superior memory, observation e.g. Sheldon Riley
Hughesy: Erratic rambling/"Justin Bieber"/someone dead. pic.twitter.com/GDH9w4T5V8
— Sahar Adatia (@sahar_adatia) August 28, 2022