‘The Masked Singer’ Reveals the Identity of Owl: Here Is the Celebrity Under the Costume

The celebrity inside the Owl costume on Fox's "The Masked Singer" was unmasked this week as Billy Ray Cyrus, the country music star. This reveal occurred during the February 11 episode, titled "Twilight Night," which drew its theme from the famous vampire movie franchise. Despite his recognizable voice, the judging panel—Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora—did not correctly identify him, instead suggesting names like Ted Danson and Kurt Russell.

Clues presented for the Owl character throughout the season heavily alluded to Cyrus's long career. They referenced his 1992 breakthrough hit "Achy Breaky Heart," a line-dancing phenomenon that defined an era and made his signature mullet hairstyle iconic. Other hints pointed to a missed opportunity in professional baseball and his record-breaking feature on Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road." That genre-crossing collaboration held the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a record 19 weeks, reintroducing Cyrus to a younger audience. Entertainment historian Dr. Lena Shaw noted, "Cyrus represents a unique bridge in pop culture, having achieved iconic status in two distinct musical eras decades apart."

Cyrus was eliminated after a head-to-head performance against the contestant Stingray, with both singing Pat Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield." The live audience vote saved Stingray, leading to the Owl's unmasking. He now stands alongside other revealed celebrities this season, such as actress Taraji P. Henson, who was the Scarab, and baseball Hall of Famer David "Big Papi" Ortiz, who performed as Googly Eyes. The competition presses on with remaining masked singers including High Voltage, Pangolin, and the Cat Witch.

A new feature for Season 14 is "America's Insider," a role played by actress and social media personality Kylie Cantrall from within the costume of the Cat Witch. Operating from a hidden set, she delivers exclusive backstage clues directly to viewers at home, information the in-studio judges do not receive. This season's themed episodes will continue with upcoming installments like "Star Trek Night" and "Ozzfest Night," the latter honoring heavy metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne. The Ozzfest episode will include a special tribute from his daughter, Kelly Osbourne, a former competitor who appeared as the Night Angel in the show's third season.

Hosted by Nick Cannon, the series is an American adaptation of the South Korean hit "King of Mask Singer" and has become a Wednesday night staple known for its elaborate disguises and guessing game. The current season's hidden performers have an impressive combined legacy, including sales of nearly 100 million records and dozens of major award nominations. The program's lasting success is built on its unique blend of over-the-top spectacle and the genuine thrill of discovering a famous talent stripped of their visual identity.