The Lucky Duck was revealed on The Masked Singer semi-finals episode and shocked both fans and judges alike with one panelist being extra surprised.
The mystery of Detective Lucky Duck was finally solved during the semi-finals of The Masked Singer Season 13, and fans got a surprise unmasking that struck especially close to home for one of the panelists. In a twist that had everyone talking, Taika Waititi revealed himself to be the character behind Lucky Duck — a recurring figure who had been delivering clues all season long. The reveal was even more jaw-dropping given that his wife, Rita Ora, is one of the show’s panelists.
Instead of letting the panel take their guesses, Lucky Duck chose to unmask himself, ending weeks of speculation with a dramatic flourish. Ora, who is serving her third consecutive season on the judging panel, was visibly stunned by the surprise reveal.
The April 30 episode, titled “Semi-Finals Night,” brought the competition down to five remaining contestants: Coral from Group A, Pearl and Boogie Woogie from Group B, and Mad Scientist Monster from Group C. The night kicked off with a group performance of “Handclap” by Fitz and the Tantrums before moving into the head-to-head battles that would determine who moves on to the finals.
First up, Boogie Woogie and Pearl faced off, with Pearl coming out on top and securing a spot in the finale. Then, Mad Scientist Monster bested Coral to claim the second finalist position. Coral and Boogie Woogie were left to compete in a final smackdown round for the last slot in the finale. Coral performed “Suddenly I See” by KT Tunstall, while Boogie Woogie brought energy with “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet.
Before a final decision could be made, Lucky Duck interrupted the action with the “Ding Dong Keep It On” bell and made a surprise announcement: all four contestants would be advancing to the finals. He then pulled off his mask to reveal his identity as Taika Waititi, stunning the crowd and panel alike.
Taika Waititi joins a star-studded lineup of unmasked celebrities from this season, including Edwin McCain (Nessy), Matthew Lawrence (Paparazzo), Erika Jayne (Yorkie), Method Man (Stud Muffin), Candace Cameron Bure (Cherry Blossom), James Van Der Beek (Griffin), Flavor Flav (Space Ranger), Sheana Shay (Bat), Aubrey O’Day (Ant), Oscar de la Hoya (Fuzzy Peas), and Cedric the Entertainer (Honey Pot).
Back for Season 13 are host Nick Cannon and panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke, and Rita Ora, who has been filling in for Nicole Scherzinger.
This season introduced the “Crack the Case” clue cases and brought back the Golden Ear trophy, awarded to the panelist with the most accurate guesses. Themed episodes included tributes to Shrek, Ghostbusters, the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary, and more.
Here’s a recap of the semi-finalists’ performances from Episode 12:
Boogie Woogie performed “Maps” by Maroon 5. Guesses included Ed Sheeran and Kevin Jonas. Boogie Woogie teased a connection with Ken Jeong and noted his transformation into a more serious competitor. His past performances included “Radioactive” and “Golden Hour.”
Pearl wowed with “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore. Panelists guessed stars like Kacey Musgraves and Natalie Maines. Pearl emphasized her trailblazing role in the music industry and has previously sung hits like “Saving All My Love For You” and “Conga.”
Coral gave an emotional performance of “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish. Guesses included Hailee Steinfeld and Sofia Carson. Coral is among the youngest contestants to make it this far and has shown her range with performances like “Mad World” and “Sk8er Boi.”
Mad Scientist Monster performed “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey. Panelists floated names like Trace Adkins and Sam Hunt. A self-proclaimed athlete-turned-singer, his song choices have included “Love Yourself” and “The Scientist.”
With all four semi-finalists heading to the finale, and the Lucky Duck mystery now solved, The Masked Singer is heading into its most exciting moment yet.
