What appears to be Eurovision performers' favourite reality show, ‘The Masked Singer’, is back in Australia for its third season on Network 10.
Last year there were multiple Australian Eurovision connections while globally Eurovision stars have popped up as stars or judges across the franchise.
Let’s take a look at the Eurovision stars who have been behind the mask, sat at the panelists desk, or even hosted ‘The Masked Singer’ franchise around the world.
The Masked Singer Australia (Australia)
‘The Masked Singer Australia’ made news in the Eurovision sphere when two of its competitors turned out to be Eurovision stars, and one turned out to be a previous Eurovision juror.
Australia’s 2017 Eurovision contestant, Isaiah Firebrace, was unmasked as ‘The Wizard’ during his time on the show. He had performed Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’ during his first week, Goyte’s ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ during his second week, and Pink’s ‘Raise Your Glass’ in his final performance.
The show garnered a mass of international fans from the Eurovision Song Contest as, from the first teaser advertisement, everyone was absolutely convinced that Kate Miller-Heidke was hiding behind the mask of ‘The Queen’.
And the fans turned out to be correct! Kate Miller-Heidke’s ‘Queen’ performed while on the show a beautiful version of The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’, a haunting version of The Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint It Black’, and Marilyn Monroe’s unforgettable anthem in ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’. She also performed Taylor Swift’s anthemic ‘Shake It Off’, the hit ‘Lose You to Love Me’ by Selena Gomez, and Robyn’s ‘Dancing on My Own’.
Her final performance before being revealed as the runner-up on the show was Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive’.
The other Eurovision-related reveal of the season was Cactus, who was unmasked to reveal singer and actress Lucy Durack. Lucy served as a member of the Australian jury in 2017.
The Masked Singer Austria (Austria)
‘The Masked Singer Austria’ was unfortunately put on hiatus after the airing of its very first episode due to the spread of coronavirus in Europe, before returning to screens six months later.
Austria’s 2017 Eurovision entrant, Nathan Trent, was a panelist on the show, and their 2018 entrant, Cesár Sampson, was a guest panelist on the fourth episode, while one of the co-hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna in 2015, Arabella Kiesbauer, was the host of the show.
When the show returned, more than one of the competitors was discovered to have been a singer at Eurovision.
‘Klimaheld’ (‘Climate Hero’) was unmasked as rapper Luka Plöchl, one half of the duo Trackshittaz, who represented Austria at Eurovision in Baku in 2012 with ‘Woki mit deim Popo’ (‘Wiggle Your Butt’). He came fifth in ‘The Masked Singer’.
‘Lipizzaner’ was unmasked as singer Simone Stelzer, who has attempted to represent Austria at Eurovision multiple times, and even earned the chance after the winning song of the 1990 national final (‘Ein Lied für Zagreb’) was disqualified. She came second in ‘The Masked Singer’.
‘Yeti’ was unmasked as singer Nadine Beiler, who represented Austria at Eurovision in Düsseldorf in 2011 with the song ‘The Secret is Love’. She won the first season of ‘The Masked Singer’.
During the shows second season, Cesár Sampson returned, this time as one of the masked singers, portraying ‘Frechdachs’ (‘Cheeky Badger’).
The Masked Singer (Belgium)
The Belgian version of ‘The Masked Singer’ recently saw its debut season come to a close late last year, and aired on VTM.
The winner of the season outright was Koningin (Queen), who, when unmasked, was revealed to be none other than Sandra Kim, the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in Bergen in 1986.
Маскираният певец (Bulgaria)
The Bulgarian version of ‘The Masked Singer’ saw its third season begin this week, and Eurovision artists have appeared in the shows first two seasons.
During the first season of the hit show, Zhana Bergendorff, of the Bulgarian supergroup Equinox, finished second in the show, disguised as ‘The Rose’.
During the show’s second season, The Eyes was the first celebrity to be unmasked, revealing Poli Genova, two-time Bulgarian representative at the Eurovision Song Contest, and host of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Sofia in 2015.
Desi Slava, who competed in the Bulgarian national final in 2012, was unveiled from behind the mask of ‘Macaron’, while ‘Predator’ was revealed to be Christiana Louizu, who had auditioned to represent Cyprus at Eurovision in 2015.
Second season runner-up ‘Bride’ was unmasked to be Nevena Tsoneva, who had taken part in the Bulgarian national final in 2008.
Zlatá maska (Czech Republic and Slovakia)
The first season of the Czech and Slovak version of ‘The Masked Singer’ saw Eurovision Song CZ national finalist Eva Burešová competed as ‘Jednorožec’ (‘Unicorn’).
Maskis Laulja (Estonia)
‘Maskis Laulja’ (‘Masked Singer’) is the Estonian version of the franchise, airing on TV3.
During the first season of the show, Jonnipunn was the fourth celebrity to be unmasked, and revealed Estonia’s Eurovision representative in Düsseldorf in 2011, Getter Jaani.
Later that same season, Lill (Flower) was unmasked to reveal a Eurovision star many Eurofans may never have heard of before. Singer Kaire Vilgats has participated at Eurovision repeatedly as a backing vocalist for Estonian entries. With seven appearances, she holds the record of the most participations at the contest.
During the shows second season, the fifth celebrity to be unmasked was Ilves (Lynx), which was Elina Born, who had represented Estonia at Eurovision in Vienna in 2015.
Later that same season, Fööniks (Phoenix) was unmasked to reveal Elina Nechayeva, who had taken part in Eurovision in Lisbon in 2018.
Masked Singer Suomi (Finland)
The Finnish version of ‘The Masked Singer’ finished airing its second season late last year, and is broadcast on MTV3.
The first season saw Ampiainen (Wasp) unmasked as UMK 2020 (the Finnish national final) competitor Erika Vikman.
The second season then saw more than one Eurovision face take part. Coming in fourth place, Taikahattu (Magic Hat) was unmasked to reveal none other than Krista Siegfrids, whose costume managed to hide her pregnancy. Krista represented Finland at Eurovision in Malmö in 2013.
The second Eurovision-related unmasking in the second season of the show was Pakkanen (Frost), who was revealed to be Mikko Leppilampi, one of the co-hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki in 2007.
Mask Singer (France)
'Mask Singer' aired its first season on TF1 in France in 2019.
France’s 2012 Eurovision entrant Anggun was a panelist throughout the first season of the show.
France’s 2001 Eurovision entrant, the Canadian-born Natasha St-Pier, came fifth on the show, where she was disguised as ‘The Cupcake’.
The Masked Singer (Germany)
'The Masked Singer' has already seen four seasons broadcast in Germany, and is set to begin a season of the spin-off ‘The Masked Dancer’ next year.
Germany’s 2004 Eurovision entrant, Max Mutzke, won the first season of the show. He was disguised as ‘The Astronaut’.
Angelo Kelly, who competed in the German national final with ‘The Kelly Family’ in 2002, came eighth during the second season of the show. She was disguised as ‘Kakerlake’ (‘The Cockroach’).
Stefanie Heinzmann won’t be an instantly recognisable name to the regular Eurovision fan, but she came seventh is the 'Free European Song Contest', organised by ProSieben as an alternative to the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 when it was cancelled. She came last in the second season of 'The Masked Singer', where she was disguised as ‘Dalmatiner’ (‘The Dalmation’).
The winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, Conchita Wurst, made an appearance as a guest panelist in the shows second season.
Katze (Cat) from the third season was unmasked to reveal the one and only Vicky Leandros. Vicky has taken part in Eurovision twice: first in Vienna in 1967 and then again in Edinburgh in 1972, both times representing Luxembourg, and even winning in 1972 with the entry ‘Aprés toi’.
The fourth season of the show brought out even more Eurovision royalty, with Judith Rakers, one of the co-hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 revealed to be behind the mask of ‘Kücken’ (‘Chick’).
Judith was followed up the next week with ‘Stier’ (‘Bull’) being revealed to be Guildo Horn, who placed seventh at the Eurovision Song Contest 1998.
Thomas Anders, who was a juror during the search for Germany’s 2003 Eurovision contestant, attempted to represent Germany at Eurovision in 2006 himself, and then hosted a companion show to Eurovision in 2009, was revealed to be ‘Schildkröte’ (‘Turtle’).
Masked Singer (Greece)
'Masked Singer Greece' will be coming to Skai TV in 2021, and already has Eurovision surprises for us!
Two-time Greek Eurovision entrant and co-host of the Eurovision Song Contest 2005, Sakis Rouvas, will be the shows presenter.
Cypriot Eurovision 2019 entrant, Tamta, will also be joining on the panelists desk.
(Israel) הזמר במסכה
The Israeli version of ‘The Masked Singer’ franchise, aired on Channel 12.
The show recently finished airing its first season, which saw the Bull unmasked as the legendary Izhar Cohen, who represented Israel at Eurovision in Paris in 1978, and became the first winner for Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Il cantante mascherato (Italy)
‘Il cantante mascherato’ (‘The Masked Singer’) is the Italian version of ‘The Masked Singer' franchise, airing on Rai 1.
The season saw Monster unmasked to reveal Fausto Leali, who represented Italy alongside Anna Oxa at the Eurovision Song Contest in Lausanne in 1989.
Fausto was not the only Eurovision face hiding behind a mask, however. Famed Italian singer Albano Carrisi (better known as Al Bano) was hiding behind the mask of the Lion. Al Bano represented Italy at Eurovision alongside Romina Power in The Hague in 1976 and then again in Gothenburg in 1985.
The second season of the show saw Italian 1978 Eurovision representatives Ricchi e Poveri masked as ‘Baby Alieno 1’ (‘Baby Alien 1’).
Balss Maskā (Latvia)
‘Balss Maskā’ (‘Masked Voice’) is the Latvian version of ‘The Masked Singer’ franchise, airing on TV3 Latvia.
The first season saw Latvia’s Eurovision 2021 entrant Samanta Tina, as a panelist on the show. However, she wasn’t the only Eurovision face to make an appearance.
After coming third in the competition, the unmasked Zvirbulis (Sparrow) turned out to be Latvia’s Eurovision representative in Stockholm in 2016, Justs.
Then, coming second in the show, the unmasked Lelle (Doll) turned out to be Latvia’s representative in Vienna the year before, Aminata.
The second season of the show saw guest performers take part as ‘Vakara Zvaigzne’ (‘Evening Star’). Those featured as a guest performer included Dons (who attempted to represent Latvia in 2010 and 2014), Aisha (who represented Latvia at Eurovision in Oslo in 2010), and Aminata (who represented Latvia at Eurovision in Vienna in 2015).
The season’s runner-up, ‘Saules Meita’ (‘Daughter of the Sun’), was unmasked to be Anmary, who represented Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.
Kaukės (Lithuania)
‘Kaukės’ (‘Masks’) is the Lithuanian version of ‘The Masked Singer’ franchise, airing on LNK.
The debut season of the show featured Vaidotas Valiukevičius – the lead singer of The Roop. Vaidotas was one of the panelists attempting to guess to identities behind the masks.
Latvian 2021 Eurovision representative Samanta Tina appeared as a guest singer during the show’s finale, masked as ‘Gėlės’ (‘Flower’).
The Masked Singer (Netherlands)
The Dutch version of ‘The Masked Singer’ finished airing its second season on RTL4, with a third season coming some time this year.
The second season of the show saw Neptunus (Neptune), god of the ocean, win the entire competition, and be unmasked to reveal Jan Dulles, frontman of the group 3JS, the Dutch representative to the Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf in 2011.
Maskorama (Norway)
‘Maskorama’ is the Norwegian version of ‘The Masked Singer’ franchise, airing on NRK1.
The winner of the first season of the Norwegian edition of ‘The Masked Singer’ was Trollet (The Troll), which was unmasked and revealed to have been Norway’s intended representative to the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam last year – Ulrikke Bandstorp.
A Máscara (Portugal)
'A Máscara' ('The Mask') is the Portuguese version of 'The Masked Singer' franchise, airing on SIC.
The Portuguese version finished its first season of the show in 2020, and is expected to have a second season upcoming.
Rita Guerra, who represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003, where she placed 22nd, competed in 'A Máscara' (The Mask), disguised as ‘The Crow’. She won the first season of the show.
The second season of the show featured Portuguese Eurovision 1985 representative Adelaide Ferreira behind the mask of the ‘Bulldog’.
Маска (Russia)
‘Маска’ (‘Mask’) is the Russian version of “The Masked Singer” franchise, airing on NTV.
Two-time third place Eurovision contestant and fan favourite Sergey Lazarev made a guest appearance on the show, where he was disguised as “The Dinosaur”. He sang Philipp Kirkorov’s “Cruel Love”.
Lena Katina, of t.A.T.u, came eighth during the season. She was the best member in her group in the first two episodes, where she sang Chicherina’s “Tu-lu-la” and Lana Del Ray’s “Young and Beautiful”. She was disguised as “The Spider” during her time on the show.
Often recognized by fans as a member of the Dream Team (a group who collaborate on some of the best placing Eurovision songs of the last decade), Philipp Kirkorov was a panelist on the show.
During the show’s second season, the ‘White Eagle’ performed Austria’s winning Eurovision song ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’. The ‘White Eagle’ was unmasked later in the season to be revealed as singer Mark Tishman.
King of Mask Singer (South Korea)
'King of Mask Singer' is the original version of the franchise that began the worldwide phenomenon, airing on MBC in South Korea.
Unlike other versions of the show, 'King of Mask Singer' isn’t split into seasons, and is as such just an ongoing reality program.
Australia’s own Dami Im, winner of the jury vote at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016 with 'Sound of Silence', was a runner up when she was on the South Korean version of the show, where she was disguised as “The Statue of Liberty”.
Mask Singer: Adivina quién canta (Spain)
‘Mask Singer: Adivina quién canta’ (‘Mask Singer: Guess Who Sings’) is the Spanish version of ‘The Masked Singer’ franchise, airing on Antena 3.
During the first season, it was unmasked that Pavo Real (Peacock) was actually Eurovision singer Pastora Soler. Pastora had represented Spain at Eurovision in Baku in 2012, where she came 10th with the song ‘Quédate conmigo'. Her luck was better in her season of ‘The Masked Singer’, where she came sixth.
And now, for the second time on this list, is Italian Eurovision representative Al Bano. He is the first singer to have taken part in two different versions of the show. In the Spanish series, he was masked as Girasol (Sunflower), and came fifth.
During the show’s second season, ‘Monstruita’ was unmasked to reveal television presenter Anne Igartiburu, known for being the Spanish spokesperson between 2002 and 2004, and hosting the Spanish national final in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2016.
‘Ángel’ was almost unmasked to reveal Paloma San Basilio. Palmoa took part in Eurovision in 1985 with the song ‘La fiesta terminó’.
Masked Singer Sverige (Sweden)
‘Masked Singer Sverige’ (‘Masked Singer Sweden’) aired its first season on TV4 in Sweden earlier this year. The winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna in 2015, and everyone’s favourite hero, Måns Zelmerlöw, acted as a panelist on the show, and was also joined by Melodifestivalen regular Pernilla Wahlgren.
‘Sjöbjörnen’ (‘Sea Bear’) was revealed to be Anders Bagge. Anders is a music producer and songwriter who was behind Azerbaijan’s 2010 and 2012 Eurovision entries.
The Masked Singer Switzerland (Switzerland)
‘The Masked Singer Switzerland’ has finished airing its first season on ProSieben Schweiz, with a second season due to begin airing sometime this year.
Switzerland’s representative to the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv in 2019, Luca Hănni, acted as a panelist on the show.
Маска (Ukraine)
Маска (“Mask”) is the Ukrainian version of the ‘The Masked Singer’ franchise, which aired its first season earlier this year.
The show was hosted by one of the co-hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv in 2017 – Volodymyr Ostapchuk. It also featured Andriy Danylko (better known as Verka Serduchka), the Ukrainian representative to Eurovision in Helsinki in 2007.
The season also featured some Eurovision stars competing behind the masks.
‘Pava’ (‘Peacock’) was revealed to be none other than famous Ukrainian singer Iryna Fedyshyn, who performed during the semi-final when the contest was hosted in Ukraine in 2005.
‘Lev’ (‘Lion’) was also a Eurovision star, namely Oleksandr Ponomariov, the nation’s first Eurovision entry.
Alina Grosu, who has competed in Junior Eurovision national finals, was revealed to be behind the mask of ‘Troianda’ (‘Rose’), while Dmytro Kadnay of the group KADNAY, who were semi-finalists in Vidbir 2017 and finalists in Vidbir 2018, was revealed to be ‘Buriak’ (‘Beet’).
‘Babka’ (‘Dragonfly’) was unmasked during the show to revealed Anastasia Prikhodko, who represented Russia in Moscow in 2009 with the song ‘Mamo’.
And the winner of the first season of the show, ‘Sontse’ (‘Sun’), was revealed to be none other than Eurovision legend Zlata Ognevich, who represented Ukraine in 2013 with the song ‘Gravity’.
The Masked Singer (United Kingdom)
The British version of ‘The Masked Singer’ has now aired two seasons of the show on ITV.
The show’s second season featured Morten Harket, co-host of the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 from Oslo, as ‘Viking’.
The Masked Dancer (United Kingdom)
The spin-off show of the incredibly famous ‘The Masked Singer’, known as ‘The Masked Dancer’, has aired a single season in the United Kingdom, and has already featured some Eurovision talent in the mix.
During the show, ‘Beetroot’ was unmasked to reveal burlesque dancer Dita von Teese, who appeared on stage during Germany’s 2009 entry ‘Miss Kiss Kiss Bang’.
Could one of this season's masked singers be another Australian Eurovision star? We'll have to watch to find out!
In the meantime, keep up with all the latest Eurovision news from an Australian perspective on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.