The guessing game is over, and country music royalty took home the trophy. Pearl—revealed as Grammy-winning singer Gretchen Wilson—dominated the competition to win The Masked Singer Season 13 on May 7, 2025, outlasting a field that included actors, fellow musicians, and reality TV personalities. The two-hour finale delivered four simultaneous unmaskings, wrapping a season that premiered on February 12, 2025.

Premiere Date: February 12, 2025 · Finale Date: May 7, 2025 · Winner: Pearl (Gretchen Wilson) · Network: Fox · Episodes: 13

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Pearl won Season 13 as Gretchen Wilson (MJSBigBlog)
  • Boogie Woogie finished 2nd as Andy Grammer (MJSBigBlog)
  • Coral placed 3rd as Meg Donnelly (MJSBigBlog)
2What’s unclear
  • Season 14 full panel lineup after Nicole Scherzinger exit (MJSBigBlog)
  • Exact replacement details for Rita Ora on the judging panel (MJSBigBlog)
  • Specific performance songs for each episode beyond finale encores (MJSBigBlog)
3Timeline signal
  • November 18, 2024: Season 13 officially announced (Fandom Wiki)
  • February 12, 2025: Season 13 premiere with first elimination (Fandom Wiki)
  • April 16, 2025: Lucky 6 special merging episode (Fandom Wiki)
4What’s next
  • Season 14 confirmed; skips traditional cycle, returns January 2026 (MJSBigBlog)
  • Nicole Scherzinger departure creates panel vacancy (MJSBigBlog)
  • Search volume indicates strong audience demand for next season (MJSBigBlog)
Key facts about Masked Singer Season 13
Detail Value
Season 13
Premiere February 12, 2025
Finale May 7, 2025
Winner Gretchen Wilson (Pearl)
Runner-up Andy Grammer (Boogie Woogie)
Third Place Meg Donnelly (Coral)
Fourth Place Brian Kelley (Mad Scientist Monster)
Network Fox
Host Nick Cannon
Episodes 13

Who was revealed on Masked Singer season 13?

Season 13 delivered a steady stream of unmaskings across its 13 episodes, with celebrities from entertainment, sports, and music stepping out from behind elaborate costumes. The premiere on February 12, 2025, set the tone immediately: Honey Pot was eliminated first, revealing comedian Cedric the Entertainer under the flamboyant costume (AOL Entertainment). Bat was eliminated early in the competition, unmasking as Scheana Shay from “Vanderpump Rules” (Masked Singer Reveals on YouTube).

Key unmaskings by episode

The season continued with weekly reveals, each bringing fresh surprises to the panel and audience. Space Ranger was eliminated as hip-hop legend Flavor Flav, whose presence added musical credibility to the competition (The Masked Singer Wiki on Fandom). Griffin was revealed as actor James Van Der Beek, known for his roles in television and film, marking one of the more unexpected casting choices of the season.

Bottom line: Season 13 featured 18 confirmed unmaskings spanning comedians, actors, musicians, and reality TV personalities—keeping the guessing game unpredictable throughout.

Other notable eliminations included Fuzzy Peas as boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya, Ant as singer Aubrey O’Day of Danity Kane fame, and Stud Muffin as rapper Method Man. Cherry Blossom was unmasked as actress Candace Cameron Bure, Yorkie as singer Erika Jayne, and Paparazzo as actor Matthew Lawrence (Masked Singer Reveals on YouTube). The semi-finals brought two significant unmaskings: Nessy was revealed as singer Edwin McCain, and Lucky Duck was eliminated as filmmaker Taika Waititi—though the latter identification carries medium confidence as it appeared primarily on fan-edited YouTube compilations rather than primary sources (The Masked Singer Wiki on Fandom).

Finale reveals

The May 7, 2025, two-hour finale delivered the season’s four remaining contestants simultaneously, stripping away all masks in rapid succession. Pearl stood revealed as Grammy-winning country star Gretchen Wilson, crowned the winner. Boogie Woogie unmasked as pop singer Andy Grammer in second place. Coral stepped out as actress and singer Meg Donnelly, finishing third. Mad Scientist Monster completed the quartet, revealing Florida Georgia Line frontman Brian Kelley in fourth place (MJSBigBlog).

The panel’s guessing accuracy was on display during the finale. Jenny McCarthy correctly identified Mad Scientist Monster as Brian Kelley, while Rita Ora guessed correctly that Coral was Meg Donnelly. Robin Thicke and Jenny McCarthy split the trophy guess for Pearl, with both correctly naming Gretchen Wilson as the winner (MJSBigBlog).

Bottom line: Gretchen Wilson’s Pearl win delivered the rare scenario where the season’s most vocally accomplished contestant also took the trophy. The finale format rewarded marathon viewers with simultaneous reveals rather than staged eliminations.

Who won Masked Singer season 13?

Pearl won The Masked Singer Season 13. The glittering oyster-shell costume concealed none other than Gretchen Wilson, the Grammy-winning country singer best known for her 2004 hit “Redneck Woman.” Wilson’s victory on May 7, 2025, marked one of the most accomplished musical talents to compete on the show, bringing legitimate vocal credentials to the mystery-costume format.

Pearl identity

Gretchen Wilson’s journey as Pearl demonstrated the range the show sometimes taps when it attracts established artists willing to embrace the playful premise. Wilson performed throughout the competition with the confident delivery of a veteran stage performer, never relying on the mask for anonymity. The panel correctly split their guesses, with both Robin Thicke and Jenny McCarthy naming Wilson as Pearl before the unmasking (MJSBigBlog).

After her unmasking, Wilson returned to the stage to perform “Redneck Woman” as her victory encore, bringing the season full circle with a nod to the catalog that launched her career. Andy Grammer, as Boogie Woogie, performed “Don’t Give Up on Me” as his second-place encore, capping his strong run with an original song (Wikipedia).

Finale recap

The May 7, 2025, finale aired as a two-hour special, a departure from standard weekly episode lengths that built anticipation for the season’s climax. Unlike typical episodes where eliminations proceed one at a time, the finale unmasked all four remaining contestants at once, creating a dramatic reveal sequence that rewarded loyal viewers who had followed the season’s clues.

The final standings placed Pearl (Gretchen Wilson) first, Boogie Woogie (Andy Grammer) second, Coral (Meg Donnelly) third, and Mad Scientist Monster (Brian Kelley) fourth. No eliminations occurred after the semi-finals—all four advanced directly to the finale, a format change that allowed the contestants to perform at their fullest without the pressure of immediate elimination (MJSBigBlog).

Bottom line: Gretchen Wilson’s Pearl win delivered the rare scenario where the season’s most vocally accomplished contestant also took the trophy. The finale format rewarded marathon viewers with simultaneous reveals rather than staged eliminations.

Who is Pearl on The Masked Singer?

Pearl was Gretchen Wilson, the country music star who rose to fame in 2004 with her debut single “Redneck Woman.” Wilson has built a two-decade career in country music, earning a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for that signature song. Her participation in Season 13 brought mainstream musical credibility to a show that typically features actors, comedians, and reality personalities alongside professional singers.

Clues and performances

Throughout the season, Pearl’s clue packages emphasized themes of rural American pride, hard work, and country music heritage—all consistent with Wilson’s public persona and career trajectory. The costume itself, a shimmering pearl-encrusted oyster shell, suggested something valuable hidden within, playing into the riddle format the show uses to misdirect panels.

Wilson performed multiple times during the competition, showcasing the vocal strength that earned her Grammy recognition. Her stage presence as Pearl translated directly from her live concert performances, with the confidence of someone accustomed to commanding large audiences. The panel’s split guess—Robin Thicke and Jenny McCarthy both naming Wilson correctly—demonstrated that her distinctive voice and persona registered even through the costume’s vocal processing (MJSBigBlog).

Reveal moment

The unmasking of Pearl as Gretchen Wilson drew one of the loudest audience reactions of the season. Wilson emerged from the costume to immediate recognition, waving to the crowd before stepping into her victory encore. Performing “Redneck Woman” live on the Fox stage provided closure for viewers who’d followed her arc from mystery contestant to crowned winner (Wikipedia).

The moment also validated the show’s occasional strategy of casting established artists willing to play along with the mystery format. Not every celebrity can commit to the performance demands while maintaining the playful anonymity the show requires—Wilson navigated both successfully.

Bottom line: Gretchen Wilson’s Pearl identity was one of Season 13’s best-kept secrets, confirmed by her ability to perform credibly while maintaining the mystery until the finale unmasking.
The upshot

Wilson joins a short list of Grammy winners who have competed on the show, raising the musical caliber of Season 13’s winner’s circle.

Masked Singer season 13 contestants?

Season 13 featured 18 confirmed contestants across its 13-episode run, spanning categories from comedy and acting to music and reality television. The blend matched the show’s typical formula: recognizable names in surprising costumes, with varying degrees of difficulty in maintaining anonymity while performing live.

Full contestant list

The season’s confirmed roster included Honey Pot (Cedric the Entertainer), Bat (Scheana Shay), Space Ranger (Flavor Flav), Griffin (James Van Der Beek), Fuzzy Peas (Oscar De La Hoya), Ant (Aubrey O’Day), Stud Muffin (Method Man), Cherry Blossom (Candace Cameron Bure), Yorkie (Erika Jayne), Paparazzo (Matthew Lawrence), and Nessy (Edwin McCain). The semi-finals added Lucky Duck (Taika Waititi, medium confidence). The finale brought the final four: Pearl (Gretchen Wilson), Boogie Woogie (Andy Grammer), Coral (Meg Donnelly), and Mad Scientist Monster (Brian Kelley) (The Masked Singer Wiki on Fandom).

The panel remained consistent throughout the season: Nick Cannon hosted, with Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora serving as the guessing panel. Rita Ora’s consistent accuracy—correctly identifying Coral as Meg Donnelly in the finale—added to her reputation as one of the show’s sharper guessers (MJSBigBlog).

Notable costumes like Ant, Monster

Several Season 13 costumes stood out for their elaborate designs. Mad Scientist Monster featured intricate laboratory-themed elements with bubbling vials and electric lightning effects, consistent with Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line’s rock-influenced country persona. The costume earned Jenny McCarthy’s correct guess in the finale, validating the clue packages that hinted at Kelley through references to Florida geography and studio recording equipment.

Ant, played by Aubrey O’Day, presented a smaller-scale insect costume that nonetheless featured detailed antennae and segmented body segments. The costume’s design played into O’Day’s pop music background, with clue packages emphasizing performance and dance. Space Ranger, housing Flavor Flav, featured retro-futuristic elements including metallic silver segments and a helmet reminiscent of 1970s astronaut aesthetics.

Bottom line: Season 13’s 18 confirmed contestants covered entertainment industry breadth—from Oscar De La Hoya’s boxing fame to Taika Waititi’s filmmaker credentials—while the final four represented the season’s strongest performers.

The Lucky 6 episode on April 16, 2025, offered a format variation where remaining contestants merged costumes mid-performance, creating hybrid characters that added visual spectacle to the competition. ScreenRant documented the special merge performances, noting that the format change provided fresh content without extending the overall season length (ScreenRant).

Will there be a season 14 for The Masked Singer?

Season 14 of The Masked Singer is confirmed, though the show will skip its typical broadcast cycle and return in January 2026 rather than the fall. The announcement comes amid panel changes, as Nicole Scherzinger—who served as a regular panelist for multiple seasons—announced her departure from the show after Season 13. Her exit creates a notable vacancy on the guessing panel that producers must fill for the upcoming season.

Season 14 status

The Masked Singer Season 14 Wikipedia page already exists, indicating the production has moved into planning phases. The show’s track record—renewing consistently since its 2019 premiere—suggests minimal risk to the continuation, though viewership trends and panel stability will influence the season’s ultimate format.

The gap between Season 13’s May 2025 finale and Season 14’s expected May 2025 premiere represents an unusual scheduling choice. Rather than launching in the fall as previous seasons have, the show will occupy a winter television slot that could provide less competition from other reality formats. This timing change may reflect Fox’s broader programming strategy or adjustments to the competitive landscape following the departure of Nicole Scherzinger.

Panel changes

Nicole Scherzinger’s decision to leave The Masked Singer marks one of the most significant panel changes since the show’s inception. Scherzinger brought consistent musical expertise as a former Pussycat Dolls member, often providing detailed analysis of vocal technique during unmasking performances. Her departure eliminates the panel’s most technically qualified musical voice.

Rita Ora, who joined the panel for Season 13, performed well enough in her debut season to suggest she may anchor the panel’s musical expertise going forward. However, the combined loss of Scherzinger and Ora (who has also hinted at other commitments) would leave Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, and Ken Jeong as the remaining core panel.

The show has previously navigated panel changes—when original panelist Sharon Osbourne departed, producers adapted by rotating guest panelists. For Season 14, producers may seek a replacement with comparable musical credentials to maintain the balance between comedic guessing and technical performance analysis that has characterized the panel dynamic.

Bottom line: Season 14 is confirmed for January 2026, but Nicole Scherzinger’s departure creates panel uncertainty that could reshape the show’s guessing dynamic. Viewers should expect an announcement about her replacement before the season premieres.
Why this matters

The panel chemistry has defined The Masked Singer’s entertainment value as much as the unmaskings themselves. A significant panel shake-up could alter the show’s tone, even if the core format remains unchanged.

Season 13 timeline

Key dates in Masked Singer Season 13
Date Event
November 18, 2024 Season 13 officially announced by Fox (Fandom Wiki)
February 12, 2025 Season 13 premiere; Honey Pot (Cedric the Entertainer) first unmasked (Fandom Wiki)
Throughout March–May 2025 Weekly unmaskings including Space Ranger, Griffin, Fuzzy Peas, Ant, Stud Muffin, and others
April 16, 2025 Lucky 6: Merging of the Masks special episode (Fandom Wiki)
Semi-Finals Nessy (Edwin McCain) and Lucky Duck (Taika Waititi, medium confidence) unmasked (Fandom Wiki)
May 7, 2025 Two-hour finale; Pearl (Gretchen Wilson) wins; Boogie Woogie, Coral, and Mad Scientist Monster unmasked (Fandom Wiki)

Confirmed vs. unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Pearl = Gretchen Wilson (verified by MJSBigBlog, Wikipedia)
  • Boogie Woogie = Andy Grammer (verified by MJSBigBlog)
  • Coral = Meg Donnelly (verified by MJSBigBlog)
  • Mad Scientist Monster = Brian Kelley (verified by MJSBigBlog)
  • Premiere: February 12, 2025 (verified by Fandom Wiki)
  • Finale: May 7, 2025 (verified by Fandom Wiki)
  • Season 14 confirmed for January 2026
  • Nicole Scherzinger departure announced

What remains unclear

  • Season 14 full panel lineup and replacement names
  • Rita Ora’s confirmed status for Season 14
  • Exact episode air dates for non-premiere/non-finale eliminations
  • Critical reception and viewership ratings for Season 13
  • Lucky Duck = Taika Waititi (medium confidence, tier 3 sources only)

What they said

The Season 13 winner of The Masked Singer is…Pearl. Gretchen Wilson is revealed to be the secret celebrity hiding behind the Pearl costume and the winner of season 13!

— MJSBigBlog (Finale coverage)

Gretchen Wilson performed ‘Redneck Woman’ as her finale encore, bringing the season full circle with the song that launched her career.

— Wikipedia (Official season summary)

The Lucky 6 format change injected fresh energy into the competition without extending the overall season length.

ScreenRant (Episode analysis)

What to watch

For viewers interested in Season 14, the panel replacement question matters more than the schedule shift. The show’s entertainment value depends heavily on panel chemistry—and any new addition will need to balance Ken Jeong’s comedy, Jenny McCarthy’s pop culture instincts, and Robin Thicke’s musical ear.

Summary

Masked Singer Season 13 concluded May 7, 2025, with Gretchen Wilson taking the Pearl crown in a finale that simultaneously unmasked all four finalists—a format departure that rewarded the season’s most dedicated followers. The country star’s victory brought Grammy-level musical credentials to the winner’s circle, elevating Season 13 above the typical actor-and-reality-star lineup. With Season 14 confirmed for January 2026, the show must navigate significant panel changes driven by Nicole Scherzinger’s departure, making the casting of her replacement the most consequential decision for the upcoming season. For Fox, the question isn’t whether The Masked Singer will continue—it’s whether the panel chemistry that made the show a ratings staple can survive the transition.

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Additional sources

youtube.com

Frequently asked questions

When did Masked Singer season 13 premiere?

Season 13 premiered on February 12, 2025, on Fox, with the premiere episode eliminating Honey Pot (Cedric the Entertainer) as the first official unmasking of the season.

Where can I watch Masked Singer season 13 episodes?

Episodes aired live on Fox and are available for streaming the next day on Fox’s website and apps, as well as through major streaming platforms that carry Fox live content.

Who was Boogie Woogie on Masked Singer season 13?

Boogie Woogie was Andy Grammer, the pop singer and songwriter known for hits like “Honey I’m Good.” He finished second in the competition and performed “Don’t Give Up on Me” as his finale encore.

What happened to the judging panel after season 13?

Nicole Scherzinger announced her departure from the show after Season 13, creating a vacancy on the panel. Rita Ora’s status for Season 14 remains unclear due to other commitments. Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, and Ken Jeong are expected to return.

Who was eliminated first in Masked Singer season 13?

Honey Pot was the first contestant eliminated on premiere night, February 12, 2025, revealing comedian Cedric the Entertainer as the first unmasking of the season.

Is there a Masked Singer season 13 reunion?

No reunion special has been announced as of the season finale. Standard practice for the show typically involves a hiatus before Season 14 rather than a dedicated reunion episode.

What are the season 13 group performances?

Season 13 featured the Lucky 6 episode on April 16, 2025, which introduced merged costume performances where remaining contestants combined costume elements mid-song, creating unique visual spectacles for that special episode.