I think I’ve picked this season’s Masked Singer contestants

There are eight celebs left in The Masked Singer - and I’m confident I’ve correctly guessed at least five of them. Read on for spoilers!

It’s an annual tradition at this point: News.com.au’s collection of guesses – from the educated to the ill-advised – published the morning after the new season’s crop Masked Singer contestants have all given their first performances.

Two episodes in, and with two contestants already having gone home, there are eight singers left in the competition. Having now heard all eight sing, I’m feeling pretty confident I’ve figured out the true identities of at least five of them.

Back in 2019, I correctly picked six of the contestants – but was stumped by Paulini, who later confessed she’d worked hard to conceal her true voice in the competition.

I figured out five next season, including Sophie Monk and Kate Miller-Heidke.

Here are my guesses for this season, ranked from most certain to least:

The snapdragon is … Sheldon Riley

The Snapdragon …

… is deffo Sheldon Riley. Picture: Getty

One of those instantly recognisable voices that many fans picked from the pre-season ads.

Once you’ve clocked that soaring voice as The Voice and Eurovision star Sheldon’s, the clues in his intro package about being hidden and mysterious make more sense: He often covers his face behind jewelled headpieces when he performs.

And the dumbbells painted with ‘1’ and ‘100’ the snapdragon was shown lifting? Sheldon’s Eurovision song Not The Same went to number 1 on the AIR 100% Independent Singles Chart.

Consider him this season’s Kate Miller-Heidke or Kate Ceberano: We all recognise that voice from the outset, so now we can just enjoy the performances.

The mirrorball is … Melody Thornton

Miirrorball.

PCD fans are certain it’s Melody (left).

Ex-Pussycat Doll Melody chose not to return to the group for its recent reunion due to a power struggle with lead singer Nicole Scherzinger. A powerhouse singer, Thornton was not satisfied with being relegated to back-up dancer – and her sky-high vocals as the Mirrorball on Sunday showed why.

The clues all match up, from the Mexican flag (her Mexican heritage) to the photos of John Travolta and Uma Thurman, who starred in the 2005 movie Be Cool, which Thornton appeared in. The Pussycat Dolls have also sold more than 50 million records worldwide – a claim The Masked Singer ads have made about one of this season’s contestants.

And crucially, Pussycat Dolls fans worldwide have already taken her appearance as fact: from the first teaser clips of the Mirrorball singing Xanadu a few weeks ago, YouTube videos with titles like ‘MELODY THORNTON PERFORMS AS MIRRORBALL ON MASKED SINGER’ have been appearing online.

The blowfly is … Shannon Noll

Blowfly.

It’s Nollsyyyyy! Picture: Jonathan Ng

The ocker, “I’m-Australian-as-mate” clues package certainly pointed to Nollsy, but mainly it was his instantly recognisable vocals in Sunday's performance of the Miley Cyrus hit Midnight Sky. Any of us who watched Australian Idol season 1 – and let’s face it, that was most of the country – could pick Shannon Noll’s vocals a mile off.

The popcorn is … Sam Sparro

The Popcorn.

It sounds *just* like Sam Sparro. Picture: Zion Lennox.

This is one of those “vibe” guesses Chrissie Swan is so fond of – or, in this case, it’s all about the voice. Popcorn’s soulful rendition of a Scissor Sisters hit on Monday's show was driving me crazy – I know that voice! – until it hit me where I’d heard it before: Sparro’s 2008 worldwide smash single Black and Gold. The sudden success of that hit would square with the popcorn’s clue about being an “overnight success,” too.

Popcorn’s clues package showed photos of Kylie Minogue and Lady Gaga, too. Sam and Kylie have done a song together – and in a bizarre pop fact, he stored Lady Gaga’s iconic meat dress in his fridge when his fashion designer friend made it for her.

The Tiger is … Jamie Durie

Tiger.

Jamie Durie.

The Tiger said he had “links to lions” in his clues package, which showed him playing the theme tune to BMX Bandits on a piano alongside a framed photo of Chelsea Clinton. He was shown wearing a tutu and made a reference to stripping.

The Tiger had a baritone, growling voice for a powerhouse rendition of Feeling Good. Definitely Australian, and someone with a strong voice. Chrissie Swan was absolutely convinced the Tiger was Jamie Durie – and I’m siding with her, given the clues about stripping (Durie started his career as a Manpower dancer). And that Chelsea Clinton clue? How about this: Durie won gold at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in 2008.

And now for the guesses I’m less sure of …

The zombie is … Emma Watkins?

Zombie.

Fans are convinced it’s Emma Watkins. Picture: Josh Woning

Look, I’m relying on the wisdom of the internet for this one: Viewers on social media seem near-unanimous in their view that the Zombie is ex-Wiggle Emma Watkins. I have questions, though: Would the beloved children’s entertainer really opt to play a slightly scary Zombie for her Masked Singer debut? And (a more delicate question now): Wouldn’t her voice be a little better? The Zombie’s rendition of Ava Max’s Sweet But Psycho was a little ropy. First night jitters perhaps – or a cunning ploy to throw fans off the scent?

The thong is … Bindi Irwin?

Thong. Picture: Supplied

Could it be Bindi Irwin? Picture: AAP

According to the clues package, the Thong is an “Aussie icon with the background overseas,” who’s “better known for their work with M&M.” Oh, and they love fish.

Based on her performance of Footloose, I’d guess the Thong is also another non-professional singer – it was a very Friday night karaoke performance. Chrissie guessed Bindi Irwin, Mel B picked surfer Stephanie Gilmore, Hughesy guessed English singer Dido and Abbie guessed MasterChef and Survivor star Khanh Ong. Bindi makes the most sense – she and the Irwins are locally based, have worked with Ten in the past, and as a singer, Bindi makes a great Wildlife Warrior.

The rooster is … John Farnham? (No, it probably isn't)

Rooster.

Look, it was either this or another farewell tour.

Alright, by this point, I’ve well and truly hung up my expert credentials. The Rooster’s clues package showed him wearing boxing gloves, in front of an Auscar championships poster, and reading a book on Australia’s greatest churches. He said family was important to him, and was shown cutting someone’s hair – in front of a background of Matrix-style binary codes.

His performance of Bruno Mars’ 24 Karat Magic suggested a strong voice – and also perhaps an older male.

The guesses from the judges were wild: Keanu Reeves, David Guetta, Russell Brand and John Farnham. That last one, from Mel B, seems closest, but none of them have me convinced.

Some on social media thought the Rooster’s clues package pointed to him being velvet-voiced crooner Hugh Sheridan: If that’s the case, he’s disguised his voice very well.

So far this season, we’ve seen Neighbours star Ryan “Toadfish" Moloney leave the competition first, in arguably one of the show’s best-kept secrets – and last night, swimming legend Lisa Curry was unmasked.

And we’ve still got two more “wildcard” contestants this season who have yet to be seen on-screen: Gnome and Microphone.

The Masked Singer continues 7:30pm Tuesday on Ten.

Originally published as I think I’ve picked this season’s Masked Singer contestants