The Masked Singer (Australian TV series)

The Masked Singer Australia
Company type	Reality television series
Industry	Television entertainment
Founded	September 23, 2019; 7 years ago
Headquarters	Australia
Key people	Osher Günsberg (host)
Products	Reality singing competition show

The Masked Singer Australia is a reality television singing competition from Australia, hosted by Osher Günsberg, which debuted on Network 10 on 23 September 2019. The program is adapted from the global music game show franchise Masked Singer, originally inspired by South Korea's King of Mask Singer. Filming took place at Disney Studios Australia, previously known as Fox Studios Australia.

Despite being renewed for a sixth installment in October 2023 with plans for a 2024 release, Network 10 ultimately cancelled the series in May 2024.

Production

In March 2019, TV Blackbox revealed that Network 10 intended to develop a local version of the franchise, which was officially announced during the network's May upfronts. By June 2019, Osher Günsberg was confirmed as the show's host. On 15 July 2019, American actress Lindsay Lohan was announced as a panellist alongside Australian singer Dannii Minogue, comedian Dave Hughes, and radio presenter Jackie O.

The series received a renewal for a second season during the October 2019 upfronts. However, the pandemic caused delays in pre-production and filming, shifting schedules from late July to early August 2020. Travel restrictions led to Lohan being replaced by comedian Urzila Carlson.

In October 2020, a third season was greenlit, with its premiere occurring on 13 September 2021.

On 20 October 2021, it was announced that the program would continue in 2022 featuring new panellists: Mel B, Abbie Chatfield, and Chrissie Swan, who took over from Jackie O, Minogue, and Carlson respectively.

By February 2023, Swan confirmed that the fifth season was slated to air later that year.

Security

To safeguard the anonymity of celebrity participants during and after filming, the production enforces stringent security measures that surpass any previous experiences noted by host Günsberg. All involved individuals are required to sign comprehensive non-disclosure agreements covering filming dates, costumes, and mask identities until episodes air. Celebrities are permitted to inform only their spouses, who must also commit to NDAs.

To preserve confidentiality, unmasking moments are restricted to just eight individuals; most production staff and audience members are prohibited from witnessing these reveals. Audience members must secure their phones in specialized magnetic pouches while on set and undergo regular security inspections—including checks conducted by former ASIO personnel—to prevent unauthorized recordings or leaks.

Costumes

The elaborate costumes are designed by Australian Academy Award and BAFTA recipient Tim Chappel, celebrated for his work on The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, alongside Lizzy Gardiner.

Panellists and host

Following the show's announcement, Network 10 confirmed its judging panel consisting of international actress and singer Lindsay Lohan, radio host Jackie O, singer-songwriter Dannii Minogue, and comedian Dave Hughes. The hosting role was assigned to Osher Günsberg.

On 7 July 2020, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions between Dubai and Melbourne, Lohan was unable to participate in season two and was replaced by comedian Urzila Carlson. On 4 May 2022, Carlson departed to focus on her comedy tour with Lohan considered as a potential returnee. On 21 May, Minogue announced her exit after three seasons because of UK filming commitments for the gay-dating show I Kissed a Boy. Jackie O also declared her departure on 4 June. Subsequently, on 9 June, Channel 10 unveiled new panellists for season four joining Dave Hughes: television and radio personality Chrissie Swan, television figure and radio host Abbie Chatfield, along with international singer Mel B.

Cast timeline
Cast Member	Seasons
Cast Member	1 (2019)	2 (2020)	3 (2021)	4 (2022)	5 (2023)
colspan="7" Template:TBA
Dannii Minogue	colspan="3" Template:CMain	Does not appear
Jackie O	colspan="3" Template:CMain	Does not appear
Dave Hughes	colspan="6" Template:CMain
Lindsay Lohan	Template:CMain	Does not appear
Nazeem Hussain	Template:CGuest	Does not appear
Luke McGregor	Template:CGuest	Does not appear
Urzila Carlson	Does not appear	colspan="2" Template:CMain	Does not appear
Chrissie Swan	Does not appear			colspan="3" Template:CMain
Abbie Chatfield	Does not appear			colspan="3" Template:CMain
Mel B	Does not appear			colspan="3" Template:CMain
colspan="7" Template:TBA
Osher Günsberg	colspan="6" Template:CMain

Honors and recognitions

|- ! scope="row" rowspan="2"|2019

| rowspan="2"| 9th AACTA Awards 
| "Best Entertainment Program" 
| The Masked Singer 
|

|-

| rowspan="2"| Best Costume Design in Television 
| rowspan="2"| Tim Chappel 
|

|- ! scope="row"|2020

| 10th AACTA Awards 
|

|- ! scope="row"|2021

| 11th AACTA Awards 
| Best Entertainment Program 
| The Masked Singer 
|

|- ! scope="row" rowspan="2"|2022

| rowspan="2"| 62nd Logie Awards 
| "Most Popular Entertainment Program" 
|

|-

| "Most Outstanding Entertainment or Comedy Program" 
|

|- ! scope="row" rowspan="2"|2023

| rowspan="2"| 63rd Logie Awards 
| "Gold Logie for Most Popular Television Personality" 
| Osher Günsberg 
|

|-

| Most Outstanding Entertainment Program 
| The Masked Singer 
|

|-

Controversy

In October 2019, the American rock group Halocene accused the show of replicating their rendition of Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy" "note for note, beat for beat," as performed by the Lion (portrayed by Kate Ceberano) in the third episode. The band had previously uploaded their cover to YouTube, which incorporated original elements from an unreleased track. Halocene considered legal action and initiated a GoFundMe campaign, attracting support from their followers.

External links