Rita Ora Joins 'The Masked Singer' Judging Panel — and Teases She 'Might Stick Around'
The 'You Only Love Me' singer is taking the seat normally occupied by regular 'Masked Singer' judge Nicole Scherzinger for the show's 11th season, which will air in 2024
Michael Becker / FOX
Rita Ora, who will be joining Season 11 of 'The Masked Singer.'A new face is joining The Masked Singer judging panel: Rita Ora!
Fox announced on Wednesday that the British pop star and actress will appear on the 11th season of Fox’s popular singing competition series in 2024, joining fellow panelists Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong and Jenny McCarthy as well as host Nick Cannon.
The “You Only Love Me" singer, 32, is swapping places with regular Masked Singer panelist Nicole Scherzinger, who is booked to perform in London’s West End.
Related: Rita Ora Makes a Statement in Polka Dot Mini Dress During N.Y.C. Outing
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly on whether she would continue with The Masked Singer should the show get renewed for future seasons, Scherzinger replied, "Oh my gosh, I would love to, are you kidding me? I love my [Masked Singer] family. And it's such a great job. Are you kidding? I love it. Yes."
The addition of Ora — who previously appeared in the British edition of the mysterious celebrity singing competition — marks the first time that there has been a panel change in the show since its debut in 2019.
The Masked Singer kicked off its 10th season Sunday featuring all of the original panelists. A new official teaser video for season 10 was unveiled Wednesday and included a preview snippet of Ora’s debut.
“I like it here in Hollywood,” Ora says in the clip seated in her new chair. “I might stick around. I like it.”
Meanwhile, the season 10 premiere featured a new contestant named Anonymouse, who performed Heart’s classic power ballad "What About Love." Jeong later described Anonymouse as “the most powerful voice on the show.
Trae Patton / FOX
Anonymouse in the all-new Season 10 kickoff of 'The Masked Singer.'Anonymouse offered clues about her identity, including that she started working as a young person and that her big break came when she was able to showcase her voice.
“When my future was looking bright from the outside,” said the mouse, “I struggled with feeling funny inside. The more I pushed them down, the more I felt like I was slipping way. I was trapped on a path of wrong decisions and eventually, I hit rock bottom. But that was the wakeup call I needed to finally realize I have so much more life to live.”
Related: 'The Masked Singer' Reveals 'the Biggest Star We’ve Ever Had in 10 Seasons' According to Ken Jeong
Trae Patton / FOX
'The Masked Singer' host Nick Canon and Anonymouse in the all-new Season 10 kickoff.Based on the clues from Anonymouse — including that she has appeared on the TIME 100 list — the judges speculated the mouse possibly as being either Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Demi Lovato or Pink.
As the unmasking was about to happen, Jeong said, “This could be the biggest star we’ve ever had in 10 seasons on The Masked Singer.”
Trae Patton / FOX; Santiago Felipe/Getty
McCarthy, 50, Scherzinger, 45, and Thicke, 46, concurred that it had to be Lovato as Anonymouse. They were proven right as it was indeed the "Sorry Not Sorry" singer, 31.
“You’re one of those legends,” McCarthy told Lovato following the reveal, and Thicke added, “You are one of the great voices and talents of any generation.”
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The Masked Singer season 10 continues Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
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