( music playing )
‐ Yeah! ‐ Whoo!
Welcome to "The Masked Dancer" finale.
Craig Robinson here.
Tonight, it all comes down to this.
Three masked dancers left dancing‐‐
the Tulip, the Sloth and the Cotton Candy.
They have taken us on such a ride all season long...
I get a little emotional thinking about it.
Aww!
Can you dim the lights?
♪ I had the time of my life
♪ And I owe it all to you
Judges: Whoo!
Ken: Yeah!
♪ I've been waiting for so long ♪
♪ Now I've finally found someone ♪
♪ To stand by me
♪ We saw the writing on the wall ♪
♪ As we felt this magical fantasy ♪
♪ Now with passion in our eyes ♪
♪ There's no way we could disguise it secretly ♪
♪ So we take each other's hand ♪
♪ 'Cause we seem to understand ♪
♪ The urgency
♪ Just remember
♪ You're the one thing
♪ I can't get enough of
♪ So I'll tell you something
♪ This could be love because
♪ I've had the time of my life ♪
♪ No, I never felt this way before ♪
♪ Yes, I swear
♪ It's the truth
♪ And I owe it all to you
Paula: Yes. Yes. Whoo!
‐ Yes! Yes! ‐ Yeah.
Paula: That was awesome!
Speaking of dirty dancing, let's say hi to our panel.
Nobody puts them in the corner.
Ashley Tisdale.
Dr. Ken Jeong.
Paula Abdul.
Brian Austin Green.
Panel, it is finale night,
and our three finalists are competing
for the coveted Diamond Mask trophy,
a prize is so valuable
it's been locked away in a vault all season
until tonight.
Head backstage, you three,
and prepare for your final performances.
‐ Yeah! ‐ Good job, everyone. That was awesome.
Craig: It's the finale,
and the stakes aren't just high for our superstar contestants,
‐ bragging rights are on the line for our panel as well. ‐ You're darn right.
Tonight, we will be keeping track of who finishes
with the most correct celebrity unmaskings.
Here's the scoreboard so far.
Paula and Brian are in the lead with 2 correct guesses each.
‐ Ken and Ashley... ‐ Yeah!
...we have more clues tonight to help you take the lead.
Let's get this competition underway,
‐ starting with the Tulip. ‐ Yeah!
The panel has guessed a variety of names,
from Norah Cyrus to Disney star Dove Cameron.
So let's watch together the power
this flower has had on us.
Becoming Tulip on the "Masked Dancer"
has truly been wonderful.
And now that I'm in the finals,
I'm realizing just how much I've blossomed.
From the very start,
I came out here with something to prove,
so I made sure I showed off all my dance skills.
Paula: Come on, Tulip!
You have some serious skills.
Tap, contemporary, hip‐hop, and now polka.
Oh, my God!
Being the youngest in a talented family,
it's easy to feel overshadowed
and compared to the person I look up to the most.
But making it this far,
I have proved that I can shine on my own.
We all recognize that you have training.
Ken: The TikTok sign.
I'm so excited for this final performance.
The competition is so on.
Even tough Sloth is a pro on the dance floor
and Cotton Candy is a fierce competitor,
I have to remember I'm in control.
So for my grand finale,
I'm pulling out all the tricks to prove
that I'm the queen of this dance floor.
Sis, tonight, I'm bringing home the trophy.
See you soon.
( giggles )
I feel like the Tulip is the most technically proficient.
I can't wait to see what she does tonight.
Craig: Put your hands together for the Tulip!
‐ Whoo! ‐ Yeah!
♪ To all of the queens
Yes! Yes, girl!
♪ You're not dancing on your own ♪
♪ Can't live without me
♪ You wanna, but you can't, no, no, no ♪
♪ Think it's funny, but, honey ♪
♪ Can't run this show on your own ♪
♪ I can feel my body shake
♪ There's only so much I can take ♪
♪ I'll show you how a real queen behaves, oh ♪
♪ No damsel in distress
♪ Don't need to save me
♪ Once I start breathing fire, you can't tame me ♪
♪ And you might think I'm weak without a sword ♪
♪ But if I had one, it'd be bigger than yours ♪
♪ If all of the kings had their queens on the throne ♪
♪ We would pop champagne and raise a toast ♪
♪ To all of the queens who are fighting alone ♪
♪ Baby, you're not dancing on your own ♪
♪ In chess, the king can move one space at a time ♪
♪ But queens are free to go wherever they like ♪
♪ You get too close, you'll get a royalty high ♪
♪ So breathe it in to feel the love ♪
♪ If all of the kings had their queens on the throne ♪
♪ We would pop champagne and raise a toast ♪
♪ To all of the queens who are fighting alone ♪
♪ Baby, you're not dancing on your own ♪
♪ Oh
‐ Whoo! ‐ Come on!
Ashley: Yes, girl!
Paula: That was wonderful.
‐ Ashley: Yes. Yes! ‐ Tulip!
Tulip did not come to play tonight.
‐ Paula: No, she didn't. ‐ Brian: No, she did not.
That is how you kick off the finale.
Oh, my God! I'm so excited right now.
I am genuinely, like‐‐ it is just‐‐ this was amazing.
I am having the best time of my life right now.
This is epic! You're so good.
You are my favorite. I love you.
Yes.
I know you've said you've been in the shadow,
but this show has made you come to light,
‐ and if you are so talented. ‐ Ken: Yes!
The fact that you're doing fouetté and your head is on
and you can't spot really, is amazing.
Yes. You did a flip with a Tulip head.
This was so epic, I can't think of a better way
for you to finish this off with your best performance ever.
‐ Ashley: Yes. ‐ Ken: Perfect, perfect.
Tonight is the finale, which means we only get to hear one more word
from the lips of the Tulip.
Oh, my goodness.
Craig: This is just as much about the voice
as it is the clue.
It's Word Up!
♪ Word up
♪ It's the code word
♪ No matter where you say it
♪ You'll know that you'll be heard ♪
‐ Followers. ‐ Followers.
‐ Well, that makes sense.
There have been a lot of social media clues this season.
‐ Yeah. ‐ She has a big social media following.
I do, too. 978. All those bots!
Okay, panel, what clues did you pick up on? Paula?
I think if we look at the makeup on the line, so it's a makeup line.
‐ Oh, yeah, yeah. ‐ Oh!
‐ Yeah, yeah. ‐ I saw the "ALE" on the barrel,
and I really feel that's a dead giveaway.
Because I think "ale" as in Lucy Hale.
She has a similar height as Tulip and she can dance.
Ken is so good at this game. It's really‐‐
Then why doesn't he get most of 'em right?
I may be a pretty little liar, but tonight‐‐
oh, hell, yes! Right?
Ashley, who are you thinking?
Okay, well, I still think it's Mackenzie Ziegler,
and she has a song called "Exhale,"
which is what the "X ale" is.
All the clues to me are pointing to Mackenzie Ziegler.
Whoever you are, I just think you are good.
‐ I want to unmask you... ‐ Yeah.
...so bad.
Let's hear it for the flower.
We'll see you later for the votes.
We've had a bouquet of Tulip guesses throughout the season.
Do you think one of these faces is hiding behind the mask?
Tell us using #TheMaskedDancer.
I can't wait to see the other performances. Seriously.
After that, I'm like, "Whew!"
Yeah, the bar is super high
after that performance, for sure.
Craig: Still to come,
two more finalist perform.
Yeah!
Ashley: You just brought the stakes up even higher.
Craig: And not one, not two, but three superstar unmaskings!
She is here to win.
But only one can win
the coveted Diamond Mask trophy.
Who will it be?
‐ Oh, my God! ‐ Ken: You did it!
♪ Who's that?
♪ Who is that?
Welcome back to "The Masked Dancer" finale.
Tonight's finale is the most competitive "Masked Dancer" we've ever had.
Which isn't really saying anything
because it's our first season.
But will tonight's Sloth routine
be enough to win him the Diamond Mask trophy?
Oh, I cannot wait to see Sloth. He never disappoints.
Absolutely.
Here's on final look at how the Sloth bebopped
his way to the finals.
When I came into this competition,
I waltzed in like a pro.
You could say dancing isn't really new for me.
But this has been my first time dancing with a partner
where I get to be the student.
You are so, so good.
I would almost go in, like, a John C. Reilly direction.
You know what I've loved the most?
Performing without any prejudgment of who I am.
I'm no longer the bad boy.
People can't dislike you if they can't see you, right?
"Masked Dancer" is like a clean slate.
Now I'm the good man,
and I love being able to show Baby Sloth
I'm really a big softie‐‐
just my heart though.
I still take pride in my strong muscles,
and now I'm in the finals.
I'm ready to bowl over the competition
and rock and roll my way to victory with this jive,
my most energetic performance yet.
Let's maximize the dancing and win this thing!
Did you see the heart monitor thing?
More and more stuff keeps pointing to doctor.
He's probably a big fan of "Dr. Ken"
or he's smarter than me and a cardiologist.
‐ Right, yeah. ‐ Craig: Let's hear it for the Sloth.
‐ Paula: Whoo! ‐ ( Ken laughs )
♪ Let's go
♪ It's been getting so hard
♪ Living with the things you do to me ♪
♪ My dreams are getting so strange ♪
♪ I'd like to tell you everything I see ♪
♪ I see a man in the back, as a matter of fact ♪
♪ His eyes as red as the sun ♪
♪ And the girl in the corner that no one ignores ♪
♪ 'Cause she thinks she's the passionate one ♪
♪ Oh, yeah, it was like lightning ♪
Whoo!
♪ Everybody was frightening
♪ And the music was soothing
♪ And the all started grooving ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
♪ And the man in the back said, "Everyone attack" ♪
♪ And it turned into a ballroom blitz ♪
♪ The girl in the corner said, "Boy, I want to warn you ♪
♪ It'll turn into a ballroom blitz" ♪
♪ Ballroom blitz
♪ I softly call you over
♪ Then you appear, there's nothing left of you ♪
♪ And the man in the back is ready to crack ♪
♪ As he raises his hands to the sky ♪
♪ And the girl in the corner is everyone's woman ♪
♪ She could kill with a wink of an eye ♪
♪ Oh, yeah
♪ It was electric
♪ So frantically hectic
♪ And the band started leaving ♪
♪ 'Cause they all stopped breathing ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
♪ And the man in the back said, "Everyone attack" ♪
♪ And it turned into a ballroom blitz ♪
♪ The girl in the corner said, "Boy, I want to warn you ♪
♪ It'll turn into a ballroom blitz" ♪
♪ Ballroom blitz
Paula: Oh, yes!
‐ Ashley: Whoo! ‐ Brian: Yeah!
‐ Wow! ‐ Brian: That was amazing.
Ken: That was epic.
‐ That was incredible. ‐ That was great!
♪ S‐L‐O‐T‐H
♪ Hey, yo! Yo, that was great ♪
‐ Ken: Yeah. ‐ Paula: Aw!
Okay, what did you think of that performance?
Oh, my goodness, I tell you, Sloth,
that was a perfect strike.
What a way to close out an epic season for you
to do everything to make us consistently laugh and entertained.
I can't wait to find out who you are.
Paula: Obviously, you have been professionally trained.
‐ Yes ‐ You're very, very brilliant.
It's a dream come true
to do what I love and just be all about that.
I will one million percent miss the Sloth.
Aw!
‐ Gonna miss you. ‐ Wow.
Well, grab a tissue 'cause it's our final "Word Up" from the Sloth.
Listen as closely to the voice as you listen to the word.
♪ Word up
♪ It's the code word
♪ No matter where you say it
♪ You'll know that you'll be heard ♪
♪ Now, come on
‐ Magical. ‐ All: Magical?
‐ Ooh, using it. ‐ Magical.
Okay, magical, you know, makes me think
of the movie "Prestige,"
and Hugh Jackman played a magician in that movie.
Thank God for that "Word Up" because I honestly believe
that the Sloth is Channing Tatum.
‐ That's a good guess. ‐ There's a connection.
The sign says "Jump St." and that's obviously refers
‐ to "21" and "22 Jump St." with Jonah Hill. ‐ That's true.
And these Magic Mike‐style body rolls
Oh, my God, I'm passionate about two things‐‐
turkey burgers and Channing Tatum body rolls.
‐ He does have a good body rolls. ‐ Ken: Yes.
‐ Channing Tatum. ‐ Paula: I love it.
Do you know how to do a body roll?
'Cause I would give anything,
anything to see you do a body roll.
Well, I've eaten a lot of rolls‐‐
( chanting ) Do a body roll!
( music playing )
♪ Yeah
Oh, that's so sexy.
I'm so excited to get to finally find out who you are.
Great job, Sloth.
‐ Yay! ‐ Yes!
Craig: The panel has been all over the place
with their Sloth guesses this season.
Who do you think this cuddly creature could be?
Coming up, it's our final performance of the night
and it's the Cotton Candy.
Can she deliver a winning routine?
Plus, what three famous faces will be revealed tonight?
I can't wait to see Cotton Candy perform.
‐ I know. ‐ They're in it to win it tonight.
♪ Who is that?
♪ Who's that?
Welcome back to "The Masked Dancer" finale.
We've seen the Tulip. We've seen the Sloth.
Now it's time for our last finalist, the Cotton Candy.
Before "The Masked Dancer," my world was full of judgment.
I was always told, "Not good enough. Be better."
This experience has been life‐changing.
Ken: You clearly have a competitive spirit
and clearly want to make the finals because you killed it.
I've never felt more powerful,
but not everything has been a perfect 10.
( gasping )
After the fall, all of my insecurities flooded back.
But I know hard days are when champions are made,
and I am a champion.
‐ Paula: Oh! ‐ Wow.
And even though Tulip and Sloth
are more at home on the dance floor,
my training gives me the courage to soar.
Wow.
Being in the finals has sparked a fire in me to win this whole thing.
So, for my final performance,
I'm bringing something to the table that no one else can.
And, look, it's raining.
I have déjà vu.
Mama always said that rain means one thing‐‐
today is gonna be a big day.
Fingers crossed.
Paula: Perfect 10? That's a gymnast.
But the clues, to me, they really point to ice skating.
And she called herself a champion.
That means a lot to me.
Craig: Give it up for the Cotton Candy.
♪ I am not a stranger to the dark ♪
♪ "Hide away," they say, "No one love you as you are" ♪
♪ But I won't let them break me down to dust ♪
♪ I know that there's a place for us ♪
♪ For we are glorious
♪ When the sharpest words wanna cut me down ♪
♪ I'm gonna send the flood, gonna drown them out ♪
♪ I am brave, I am bruised, I am who I'm meant to be ♪
♪ This is me
♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh
♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
♪ When the sharpest words wanna cut me down ♪
♪ I'm gonna send the flood, gonna drown them out ♪
♪ This is brave, this is bruised,
♪ This is who I'm meant to be, this is me ♪
♪ Look out, 'cause here I come ♪
♪ And I'm marching on to the beat I drum ♪
♪ Marching on, marching on ♪
♪ I'm not scared to be seen
♪ I make no apologies, this is me ♪
♪ Gonna drown them out
♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
♪ Oh, this is me!
‐ Paula: Beautiful. ‐ She is not playing around.
She is here to win.
‐ Cotton Candy! ‐ Mwah!
Craig: Nothing will keep you down.
Panel, what did you think of the performance?
Honestly, that was, like, really emotional.
You did such a great job.
This was a beautiful finale performance.
It felt like it was a redemption for you,
that which you did not need to prove
because we've loved you since day one.
‐ Brian: Yeah. ‐ Ken: Yeah.
Here we go. It's our final Word Up of the season.
So, lay it on us.
♪ Word up
♪ It's the code word
♪ No matter where you say it ♪
♪ You'll know that you'll be heard ♪
‐ Foundation. ‐ Foundation.
Makeup?
I've been going back and forth.
I think she's an ice skater.
And I just kept going to Michelle Kwan.
And with the Word Up, with the foundation,
Michelle Kwan, I know that she won
the Billie Jean award from the Women's Sports Foundation.
I'm gonna go with Ken on this. You're an ice skater.
Wait, you think ice skater after all those flips?
I do, I‐‐ the ice skater that I have in mind
‐ can do those flips. ‐ I don't know about that.
I really feel like you are a gymnast.
You definitely have an athletic sense to you.
When you fell rehearsing for your first performance,
I felt like you fell like someone who knew how to land.
Because skaters, they fall, but not from so high.
I saw in the clue package five gold balloons,
so maybe she's part of the team the Final Five?
You know what's so hard? Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles
were both in the Final Five.
U.S.A! U. S. A!
So, I'm like, it could be either one.
I like that guess, but it's wrong
because she's definitely an ice skater.
No, definitely not.
Craig: Well, congrats, Cotton Candy,
for stumping our panel once again.
Let's hear it for the lady in pink.
What a finale, guys. It's gone by so quick!
‐ Paula: They're all so great. ‐ Brian: I know.
And they all offer something different.
‐ I know. ‐ It's gonna be tough.
Craig: All season long, our panel couldn't decide
if Cotton Candy was an ice skater or a gymnast.
Who are you sweet on?
Tell us using hashtag #TheMaskedDancer.
Cotton Candy, don't go anywhere.
For the last time, Tulip and Sloth,
please join us onstage.
‐ Sloth is comical. ‐ But very, very proficient as a dancer, too.
‐ Ken: Tulip is just a technician. ‐ Yeah.
She is so precise.
And Cotton Candy's this fierce competitor.
‐ And major heart. ‐ I know.
There is such a beautiful grace about her.
It's time for the most important vote of the season.
Three dancers stand before you.
Are you Team Cotton Candy, Team Sloth,
or Team Tulip?
Panel, audience, and our super fans at home
vote now for your favorite.
The performer with the most votes
will win the Diamond Mask trophy.
‐ The final votes are in. ‐ Oh, boy.
We'll start with our third‐place finisher.
And we'll do it after the break.
‐ Aw, man! ‐ Craig!
You do that to us every time.
♪ Every single time
Welcome back to "The Masked Dancer" finale.
Sloth, Cotton Candy, and Tulip are all vying
for that Diamond Mask trophy,
but one of their journeys ends right here, right now.
The third‐place winner of "The Masked Dancer"...
Oh, man. This is always tough.
is...
‐ Tulip. ‐ ( groaning )
Tulip!
‐ Whoo! Tulip! ‐ We love you!
Sloth and Cotton Candy, we'll see you back in just a few minutes.
Tulip, you were incredible.
We're big fans, which is weird
because we have no idea who you are‐‐ until now.
But, first, panel you each get to ask one final question to Tulip.
Ken?
I just want to say you were amazing.
Just to be in the final three
on the first "Masked Dancer" finale,
‐ you just gave it your all. ‐ Yes.
Brian: Yeah.
Do you have a reality show background?
Yes.
‐ Ooh. ‐ Paula?
Tulip, do you live in Los Angeles?
I'm not from Los Angeles, but I do live here.
Thank you.
Ashley?
Would you say you have a TikTok obsession?
Maybe.
Oh!
Brian?
Have you been dancing from a young age?
‐ Yes. ‐ All right.
Okay, panel, let's hear your final guesses.
Remember, there's no "rumba" for error.
We will be keeping track of who finishes with the most correct celebrity guesses.
Bragging rights are on the line tonight.
‐ Paula? ‐ At first, I thought it was Ariana Grande.
Then I thought Kristen Bell.
But with the TikTok clues, my heart tells me to go back to Liza Koshy
because I know Liza has older sisters.
So, I feel really good going with Liza Koshy.
Ken?
It's taken me weeks to figure you out,
but the TV mom clue, I was thinking
about "Modern Family" and Sarah Hyland.
With today's clue package, I saw the ale clue and beauty products.
And Lucy Hale is a spokesperson
for her own beauty line called Almay.
And on Instagram, she has 25 million followers.
‐ And she‐‐ yes, Lucy Hale was in the finals... ‐ Oh, my gosh.
‐ ...of "American Juniors." ‐ And won!
‐ Right? ‐ Oh, my goodness.
I'm gonna stick with Lucy Hale.
I really think you're Lucy Hale.
I have seen a lot of Disney references,
and I came to a person who has a huge following on TikTok.
And she did, uh, the show "Girl Meets World."
This someone has sisters she's really close to,
so I am going to guess Sabrina Carpenter.
Ashley?
I started in a place with Charli D'Amelio
with the TikTok situation, 'cause it was in so many clues.
And then I landed on Mackenzie Ziegler
because the photo of you and the mom
reminded me of "Dance Moms."
She says she's in the shadow of her sister,
and Mackenzie has a famous older sister named Maddie.
And I saw an "E" with some mad eyes,.
So I was like, "What's that?" A mad "E"? Maddie?
‐ Hmm. ‐ I feel very confident
for the first time on this show.
I believe you're Mackenzie Ziegler.
Go, Tis.
Okay, panel, you have made your final guesses.
Let's see if any of you are right.
Say it with me, audience. Give me that music!
( all chanting ) Take it off! Take it off!
♪ Take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off ♪
♪ Take it off, take it off
‐ Oh, my God, you did it! ‐ ( screaming )
You got it!
Craig: Actress, singer, and social media juggernaut Mackenzie Ziegler!
Oh, my God, I'm so happy it's you! I love you!
I love you, too.
What was it like being Tulip?
So fun. I love Tulip.
Behind the mask, I could be whoever I wanted to be,
and I gained more confidence, for sure.
I really just wanted everyone to just love her at home
and be someone that they could look up to.
‐ We did. ‐ We love you.
Mission accomplished.
Anything you want to ask Mackenzie, Paula?
In your clue package, what did the number 11 represent?
Uh, well, "Dance Moms" came out in 2011.
Paula: Got it.
Why was, uh, like‐‐ in one the clue packages,
there was an iceberg on an armpit. What is that?
Yeah, so it's Pittsburgh.
‐ Oh! Okay. ‐ Oh, my God.
And, listen, I know your sister's amazing.
But let me tell you, you are just as amazing, okay?
‐ Thank you! ‐ You are so good. You are so good.
Mackenzie: This is the best thing I've ever done.
It was so fun. And I want to thank you guys so much for lifting me up.
‐ You lifted us up. ‐ Aww, thank you.
Let's hear it for Mackenzie Ziegler.
And then there were two.
Who's taking home the Diamond Mask trophy?
Is it the Sloth or Cotton Candy?
It's still anyone's game. Don't go anywhere.
( music playing )
I can't believe I was right. Love you, girl!
Craig: Welcome back to our "Masked Dancer" finale.
It's all come down to the Sloth and the Cotton Candy.
Before the break, Ashley guessed the Tulip correctly,
meaning there's a three‐way tie
for the most correct celebrity guesses.
It's anyone's game.
But before the panel can add to their tally,
it's time we finally announce our winner.
I feel like Steve Harvey at a Miss America pageant.
The winner of "The Masked Dancer" season one is...
Oh, boy.
This is so hard.
The Cotton Candy!
( music playing )
Cotton Candy, congratulations.
You are the queen of "The Masked Dancer."
Please head to the winner's circle.
Ken: Yes! Yes!
Whoo!
Craig: Which means Sloth is our runner‐up.
‐ Yes! ‐ Give it up for the Sloth.
All: Sloth!
Panel, it's time you each get to ask the Sloth
a final question before you get to make your final guesses.
Ashley, you first.
Have you ever hosted a big event?
Yes.
‐ Paula? ‐ Okay, Sloth,
have we ever seen you with your shirt off?
Yes.
Craig: Ken?
Have you ever been on a cover of a major magazine?
Yes.
Brian?
Are you over the age of 35?
‐ Yes. ‐ All right.
Craig: Okay, panel, now each of you must make your final guess.
‐ Paula? ‐ Sloth, I've fallen in love with you.
At the beginning, I was thinking with the "L"
that it could've been Matthew Morrison from "Glee."
But then I saw the "U" on the crane.
You're from the Ukraine. And also that pita bread
because your wife is Peta Murgatroyd.
I just know with all of my heart and soul
that you are Maks Chmerkovskiy
from "Dancing with the Stars."
‐ Brian? ‐ In the clues, he said he waltzed in here like a pro,
and from your performances,
you are clearly a professional dancer.
I heard Paula's Maks Chmerkovskiy,
and I thought it could be his brother Val.
But then I remembered there was the Baby Sloth,
and Val doesn't have a baby sloth yet.
So I'm going to follow Paula
and say that I think it's Maks Chmerkovskiy.
‐ Paula: Well, well, well. ‐ Well, well.
Dr. Ken?
Looking from the clue packages from the very beginning,
Broadway was a clue, so I was thinking Jonathan Groff.
Doctor clue was McDreamy himself, Patrick Dempsey.
But everything is screaming Channing Tatum, right?
He's tall and funny just like Channing Tatum.
He's been, like, professionally dancing in night clubs in Florida
and then culminating in "Step Up."
And a sign said "Jump St.", and that obviously refers
to "21" and "22 Jump Street" with Jonah Hill.
And with the "Magic Mike" theme of it all,
I'm gonna say that the Sloth is Channing Tatum.
Paula: That's a good guess.
‐ Craig: Ashley? ‐ Okay, I started off with Jason Derulo
because I saw you do a TikTok move
and he's really big on TikTok.
Then I went to Will Ferrell on the ribbon dancing.
Because who does that? Will Ferrell.
And then because of the Broadway leading man clues,
I was like, Hugh Jackman.
He won a Tony for "A Boy From Oz."
You're a trained dancer and your charisma is amazing in every movement,
and I know there's one person for that,
and that is Hugh Jackman.
Okay, panel, you've made your final guesses.
Let's see if anyone's even close.
Sloth, we need to know, who are you?
Audience, say it with me.
( all chanting ) Take it off! Take it off!
♪ Take it off, take it off
World‐renowned dancer
and "Dancing with the Stars" champion
Maksim Chmerkovskiy!
Ken: Yeah! Whoo!
How was your experience on "The Masked Dancer"?
Absolutely best experience.
Sloth is my alter‐ego now.
I've never laughed so hard with every performance.
You just tickled me to death.
You were so good and so talented,
and I feel like you've invented a whole new genre
of, like, musical comedy.
Thank you, thank you, for all these incredible words.
It's unlike anything that I've ever experienced.
So, I saw this guy at dinner not too long ago.
‐ Oh, really? ‐ And I had no idea that he was on the show.
I felt like it went well, you know?
It did. You didn't give anything away.
Why was there a stethoscope in one of your clue packages?
I had an arc on "General Hospital,"
and also just to mess with Ken.
Ashley: That's amazing.
What was the clue of you holding a Gleem toothpaste,
but just seeing the "Glee"?
I was fortunate to have partnered with Heather Morris
‐ on "Dancing with the Stars." ‐ Oh, that's right.
To dance one last time unmasked, once and for all,
the artist formerly known as the Sloth, Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
♪ And the man in the back said, "Everyone attack" ♪
♪ And it turned into a ballroom blitz ♪
♪ And the girl in the corner said, "Boy, I wanna warn you ♪
♪ It'll turn into a ballroom blitz" ♪
♪ Ballroom blitz
After the break, the time has come to unmask
our Diamond Mask trophy winner.
Plus, the score is now tied between Paula and Brian
at three each.
Who will come out on top?
We find out next.
♪ Ballroom blitz
Craig: Ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment
we've all been waiting for.
Oh, my God. This is it, guys.
The very first "Masked Dancer" winner ever.
Craig: It's time to unmask and crown
the first "Masked Dancer" champion, the Cotton Candy!
This is so exciting, man.
Ashley: I can't wait to find out who this is.
Craig: But first, let's watch
the emotional journey of a champion.
♪ We've got our head in the clouds ♪
Craig: ...deliver us the Cotton Candy.
Oh, my goodness. You can move.
♪ This girl is on fire
You have a winner's attitude, and I think you're gonna be here for a long time.
‐ ( gasping ) ‐ Oh, my God.
‐ ( gasping ) ‐ Woman: Medic to stage.
I can't believe she's back here today.
"The show must go on" is definitely her motto.
♪ This girl is on fire
Even though you got a smile on your mask.
I could feel your smile from inside.
She could, like, fly. Did you see that?
Brian: Yeah. She is not playing around.
She is here to win.
You define what "The Masked Dancer" is all about.
‐ Amazing. ‐ I agree.
There's no confusion to why this Cotton Candy is our winner.
First, take a moment and tell us
what has it been like being Cotton Candy?
Being the Cotton Candy
has been such an amazing journey.
( voice breaks ) Sorry, everyone.
Aww. You're making me cry again!
‐ Brian: The honor has been ours. ‐ Paula: Yeah.
We love you. You've been amazing.
Craig: Okay, panel, it's time to dig deep
and each give your final guess. Brian.
I'd really had in mind this ice skating thing.
Then I saw the gold watch,
and so I thought gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi.
But in earlier packages, I saw lots of lip clues.
But what solidified it for me was when I saw
the rain falling in the clues.
Her gold medal routine was the song "The Rainbow."
Now I honestly believe that this is Tara Lipinski.
‐ Ah. ‐ Ken?
Starting from the very beginning,
the ability plus the English breakfast of it all,
I thought Julianne Hough because she trained in the UK.
But with the word "foundation," this person won
the Billie Jean Award from the Women's Sports Foundation,
and I saw prayer hands, and her most famous
ice skating routine is "Dante's Prayer."
I really think this is Michelle Kwan.
‐ Paula? ‐ Wow, wow, wow.
I started with my dear friend Jenna Dewan.
And then I was thinking, "Nope."
I saw in your clue package the prayer hands.
I know that you are deeply religious,
and the fire and the flames and the Olympic rings‐‐
and it just hit me.
Alicia Keys and you performed onstage
to a song that she dedicated to you
called "Girl on Fire."
You are Gabby Douglas.
‐ The Tis. ‐ Okay, well, for a long time I thought,
oh, it's got to be an ice skater.
And I thought of Tara Lipinski, like you Brian,
but now I've changed my mind.
I really feel like you are a gymnast
based off of that fall in the very beginning.
You fell like a professional gymnast.
And the person I'm thinking of
actually has a book called "Courage to Soar."
And I heard that in a clue package,
so I think you're Simone Biles.
‐ Good guess. ‐ Okay, panel, you've made your final guesses.
Remember, Paula and Brian are all tied up on the scoreboard.
Who will take the lead once and for all?
This is the moment we've all been waiting for.
Let's unmask our first ever "Masked Dancer" champion.
I'm so excited right now.
Audience, say it with me.
( all chanting ) Take it off! Take it off!
♪ Take it off, take it off
♪ Take it off, off
‐ Gabby Douglas! ‐ She got it!
Motivational speaker, author, and three‐time
Olympic gold medal winning gymnast Gabby Douglas!
Ken: Yes!
Oh, my God! I love you, I love you, I love you.
‐ Wow! ‐ Yes!
And the panelist with the most correct guesses,
that's right, it's Paula Abdul!
Gabby, how does it feel?
This experience has been so, so amazing.
I thank everyone so much and I love everyone so much.
‐ It's been so amazing. ‐ We love you.
Paula, you were super confident.
‐ You knew, you felt it. ‐ She knew.
I did! I did! I love you so much.
You're the epitome of what this show's about,
and that's heart.
And your heart led you to where you are right now.
Thank you so much.
Was it as easy to tumble in a costume?
It's my job to make it look super light,
but I've never done anything like this before.
I've never trained with a mask on.
It was a first time performing and not being judged.
I had so much fun, and I'm so grateful and so honored.
Why did you have dollar signs in your eyes in the clues?
I trained in Ohio, so that was for Buckeye.
Oh.
What did the English breakfast mean?
So, that's where I won in 2012 in London.
‐ Oh! ‐ Oh, my gosh.
Congratulations. We love you.
‐ Ashley: Yes! ‐ We love you, Gabby.
Thank you, everyone at home,
for watching "The Masked Dancer."
And great news!
"The Masked Singer"
will be returning on March 10th.
So stay tuned for more masks,
more mystery, and more fun.
And here to dance for us one last time,
unmasked once and for all,
the artist formerly known as the Cotton Candy,
‐ Gabby Douglas! ‐ Yes!
♪ This is me
♪ Look out, 'cause here I'm come ♪
♪ And I'm marching on to the beat I drum ♪
♪ Marching on, marching on
♪ I'm not scared to be seen, I make no apologies ♪
♪ This is me