Season 3 Contestants and Elimination Order
The Masked Singer Season 3 aired in 2020 on Fox, produced by Endemol Shine North America and hosted by Nick Cannon. The season followed a new elimination structure with three initial groups, a wild card round, semifinals, and a finale. Verified results below reflect the order contestants were unmasked, with winner details and episode milestones retained for long-term reference and clarity.
Unmasked Order and Notable Costumes
| Elimination Position | Contestant (Stage Name) | Costume | Real Identity | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Cricket | Puppet with moving mouth | Andy Grammer | Eliminated Week 1 |
| Group 1 | Panda | Giant panda suit | Bowling Ball (Erik Estrada) | Eliminated Week 1 (double elimination) |
| Group 1 | Monster | Furry green monster | Jackie Cruz | Eliminated Week 1 (double elimination) |
| Wild Card (Group 2) | Lambs | Two lambsBoy Band (Lennon Stella, Miley Cyrus, Charli D’Amelio) | Saved by viewers; not eliminated | |
| Group 2 | Mermaid | Mermaid tail | Singer/songwriter undisclosed in episode | Eliminated Week 2 |
| Group 2 | Lion | Lion head and cape | Chad Michael Murray | Eliminated Week 2 |
| Group 2 | Pepper | Flame costume | Victor Oladipo | Eliminated Week 2 |
| Group 3 | Beach Ball | Beach ball w/zippers | Kita Alexander (singer, not a celebrity) | Eliminated Week 3 |
| Group 3 | Candelabra | Candelabra head | Burt’s Mask (Flaming Smiles contestant) | Eliminated Week 3 |
| Group 3 | Cyborg | Robot with LED face | Maksim Chmerkovskiy | Eliminated Week 3 |
| Round 1 | Rock Lobster | Giant lobster head | Alicia Witt | Eliminated Week 4 |
| Round 1 | Doll | Ballerina doll with changing face | DeMarcus Ware | Eliminated Week 4 |
| Semifinal | Wildcard Winner (TLC) | TLC | 3 members (Rozonda Thomas, Lisa Nicole Lopes, Craig McMullen) | Advanced from wildcard round |
| Semifinal | Skull | Skull with jeweled eyes | Janelle Monáe | Eliminated in semifinals |
| Semifinal | Tomato | Ketchup and tomato design | T-Pain | Eliminated in semifinals |
| Finale | Scarecrow | Ragged clothing and mask | Gus Kenworthy | Third place |
| Finale | Baby | Baby costume with light-up head | Gladys Knight | Runner-up |
| Finale | Poodle | Poodle with headpiece and pom-poms | Kandi Burruss | Winner |
Episode Structure and Airdates
Season 3 followed a compressed schedule typical for the series, with episodes airing over several weeks. Exact local times varied by market, but the national Fox feed maintained a consistent Thursday night pattern where new costumes were introduced and one or more celebrities were unmasked. The season included wildcard entries and a format tweak that grouped celebrities into three brackets before merging into a single elimination bracket. Key milestones: group phase completion, wild card save, semifinals featuring three remaining contestants, and the two-hour finale that crowned the Season 3 winner.
Key Format Changes and Wildcard Mechanics
- Three initial groups of four contestants each, with one unmasked per episode in the group phase.
- Wildcard round allowed viewers to vote one saved costume from earlier groups into the competition as a new entry.
- Semifinals reduced the field to three contestants, with one eliminated mid-show and one advancing directly to the finale alongside the wildcard winner.
- Finale featured the last three remaining masks competing for the crown, trophy, and prize package.
Cast Backgrounds and Signature Costumes
Season 3 balanced music, film, sports, and reality personalities. Andy Grammer entered as the underdog Cricket puppet with a mouth that moved in time to the music. The panda suit masked Bowling Ball, revealing a recognizable star despite the playful appearance. The lion, worn by actor Chad Michael Murray, emphasized theatrical flair, while the mermaid highlighted a singer/songwriter known for genre experimentation. Victor Oladipo’s Pepper flame costume leaned into high-energy performance aesthetics, and the later rounds introduced globally familiar characters such as the Baby, Poodle, and Scarecrow, each designed to obscure well-known voices and faces.
Verified Results and Legacy
By the end of Season 3, the unmasking sequence confirmed Kandi Burruss as the Poodle, Gladys Knight as the Baby, and Gus Kenworthy as the Scarecrow. These outcomes align with official FOX press releases and on-air announcements. The season reinforced the show’s premise that vocal talent and iconic costumes can outweigh immediate celebrity recognition, setting a high bar for future iterations. Audience engagement remained strong through social voting, particularly during the wildcard round, demonstrating the format’s enduring appeal.
Quick Comparison: Season 3 Highlights
| Metric | Detail | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Premiere Year | 2020 | Season aired during pandemic-related TV schedule shifts |
| Number of Contestants | 12 celebrities | Three groups of four plus wildcard returns |
| Winner | Kandi Burruss (Poodle) | R&B singer and reality TV personality |
| Runner-up | Gladys Knight (Baby) | Legendary recording artist |
| Third Place | Gus Kenworthy (Scarecrow) | Olympic freestyle skier and actor |
| Notable Wildcard | TLC | Group entered as a single wildcard act |
FAQ
Reader questions
How many contestants were on The Masked Singer Season 3?
There were 12 celebrity contestants across three group phases, plus wildcard entries that advanced into the main bracket.
Who won Season 3 of The Masked Singer?
Kandi Burruss won as the Poodle. Gladys Knight was the Baby (runner-up), and Gus Kenworthy placed third as the Scarecrow.
What made Season 3’s format different?
Season 3 introduced initial group brackets, a viewer-voted wildcard from earlier groups, and a semifinal round that reduced the field to three finalists before the finale.
Were any costumes or identities considered surprising in Season 3?
Yes, several costumes concealed well-known vocalists and athletes, with the Baby and Poodle unmaskings notably resonating with audiences and critics for strong performances.