Dannii Minogue reveals the dramas of filming The Masked Singer
Dannii Minogue is ready to fire up on the set of the new Masked Singer series — but filming hasn’t been without unexpected obstacles that threw the entire show into a tailspin.
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Dannii Minogue’s curiosity got the better of her on the set of The Masked Singer last year.
The star decided to try on at least one of the costumes the show’s celebrities are disguised in.
She figured the diminutive Nikki Webster’s alien suit would be the best fit. She was wrong.
“I’m really, really claustrophobic,” Minogue tells The BINGE Guide.
“I got the alien head on and took it straight off. People have asked if I’d do the show as one of the singers in another country, and there’s no way. The costume Deni Hines wore last year was so heavy. I don’t know how they even walk out on stage let alone sing and do a dance routine.”
The Australian debut of the hit global franchise (based on a South Korean concept) was a ratings smash for 10 last year, culminating in 1.4 million people watching singer Cody Simpson unmasked and crowned the winner.
US movie star Lindsay Lohan was the show’s surprise packet, joining Minogue, radio host Jackie O and comedian Dave Hughes on the guessing panel.
But COVID-19 restrictions have seen Lohan stuck in lockdown in Dubai; with comedian Urzila Carlson answering the call to help from New Zealand this season.
Minogue says she’s become “obsessed” with her new co-star’s posts on social media.
“We let Lindsay know we’re gutted she’s not there,” Minogue explains.
“We really bonded and have all kept in touch with her the entire time since the show. But we didn’t want Urzila to feel that she wasn’t part of the team. So there’s been phone calls and messages, we want to build up a friendship and trust.”
Minogue says of Carlson: “she was born with that ability to see the funny side in things. We’re so lucky to have Hughsey and now Urzila on set. Jackie and I are like bookworms, head down, studying, completely nerdy. They help bring out the fun side in us.”
Minogue’s return to the set wasn’t without its own dramas.
While The Masked Singer has moved from filming in Sydney to Melbourne this year, the singer and TV star was in Los Angeles when her home town went back into lockdown.
It required Minogue and her son Ethan to fly into the Gold Coast – given a government exemption to self-quarantine in a private residence (rather than the usual 14-day hotel stay enforced on most travellers).
The news was seized upon by a Channel 7 crew, who accused the star – who worked on the network’s reality shows, Australia’s Got Talent and The X Factor before joining Channel 10 – of getting special treatment.
While her self-funded private quarantine was not only approved by the Queensland Government, who grant exemption to industries including film, TV, sporting groups, consular officials, maritime workers and flight crew, the usual suspects on social media were typically outraged.
Minogue, who was granted the exemption mainly for health reasons, was having none of it.
“I’m the same person, I haven’t changed, I wouldn’t ask for ‘celebrity’ treatment or to have anything special granted to me. I went by the book, I’ve added extra things into (the COVID-19 safe plan) so I know that I can sleep at night.
Still the reaction was disappointing for Minogue, who has grown up on our small screen.
“I thought people knew me a bit better by now, but there’s more behind that news story. I felt like that wasn’t about me, it was more a network piece that was really unfairly skewed.”
And just like Nicole Kidman’s filming in New South Wales, Minogue is thrilled The Masked Singer will employ people in the TV industry who have been hard hit by the pandemic.
“I’m super pumped to get back to work and I’m super happy all of our cast and crew can get back to work. I’m happy that people are talking about all of the procedures in workplaces … and until we have a vaccine, that’s our reality,” she says.
“It is so good for any industry to try and get back on its feet. So many people in the arts have suffered who really need to be back on set. I’ve grown up in this industry, it’s not the people you seen on the screens, it’s people behind the scenes, they really need to get back to work.”
The show’s popularity has drawn huge names overseas – with Seal, Kelly Osbourne and Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child joining the second season of the US series; while in the UK, Kelis, Cee-Lo and Jake Shears masked up.
“You have to think outside just the world of performers,” Minogue teases.
“There’s people who can sing but aren’t known as singers. Usually those people have done something at a charity event you can find online. But the show gives you cryptic clues, and they know what you would type into a search engine, so they’re tricky.
While in lockdown, she’s been busy doing her homework.
“I’m looking at the Masked Singer Instagram, going through all the clues, reading everyone’s responses, then of course I Google them to see if it fits the clues. You better know I’m all over Instagram until the grand final,” she adds with a laugh.
Minogue took to her own Instagram at the start of lockdown, doing a string of impromptu interviews (called ‘Danniichat’), with everyone from Shaynna Blaze to Kathy Lette; revealing big sister Kylie was a regular viewer.
“I was just embracing the madness, it was fulfilling to connect with people. That was part of being starved of the performance energy, I was getting ready doing research notes, making sure I wasn’t in a tracksuit and I had some make-up on … it made me feel a little bit better about lockdown and homeschooling.”
As well as supervising her 10 year old son’s studies (“I’ve always thought teaching was something I couldn’t do, now I truly know I can’t do it”) Minogue has been watching Schitt’s Creek, Queer Eye (“my absolute joy and happiness”) and used lockdown to dive into TED talks.
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“I’ve been meaning to watch Urzila’s Netflix special [Overqualified Loser], but I get through a kids’ movie with Ethan, because he’s my special little bubble of love and whatever he wants to watch or want to do is okay. As 8.30pm rolls around, I’ve fallen asleep … I’m pathetic.”
Minogue says The Masked Singer was the one show she’s worked on her son, parents and grandmother could enjoy together; and she’s already given her parents a crash-course in Urzila’s comedy.
“They didn’t know who she was, but she’s got an amazing fanbase to bring to our show and I think it’s cool she’ll get exposure to some people who might not know who she is yet.”
Most of all, Minogue says The Masked Singer is the right show at the right time.
“This show makes me happy any time, but right now what I crave when I sit down to watch a show is something that’s pure escapism and fun. I think that’s what we all need right now.”
The Masked Singer, 7.30pm, Monday August 10 on 10.