Well none of us would really know, but if you re-read my full comment, I said I didn’t expect 7 or 9 to do well.
Maybe 10 were hoping by scheduling the finale tonight, they might be able to improve the ratings of 10News and The Project between the Melbourne Cup and Masked Singer finale.
Or likely benefit from the promotions during the Melbourne Cup coverage where they had a huge audience tuning into Ten.
Shame there’s no more Have you being paying attention this year as there would be heaps of “steady hand of Conrad Sewell” jokes that Sam could’ve made.
Looks like the Masked Singer trophy has a new design.
EDIT: this was last year’s winner Melody Thornton holding the trophy
They got it right with the order of the final three in terms of their performances. They had such distinct voices that we were able to guess them but it was still a good grand finale.
Dami Im Wins The Masked Singer Australia.
Snow Fox Pounces On The Crown.
Singing sensation Dami Im has been crowned the winner of The Masked Singer Australia.
The Eurovision star outfoxed her competitors, winning the coveted title ahead of platinum-selling recording artist and songwriter Darren Hayes (Grim Reaper) and award-winning performer Conrad Sewell (Bouncer).
For her final performance, Snow Fox’s chilling rendition of Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman had the judges perplexed.
Mel B was sure that Snow Fox was Australian singer-songwriter, Samantha Jade, Dave Hughes hedged his bets on Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland, Abbie Chatfield locked in pop superstar Jessie J, whilst Chrissie ‘CSI’ Swan smashed out yet another correct guess, certain that Snow Fox was Dami Im.
Commenting on her win, Dami said: “It feels amazing to be out [from under the mask]. I actually won The X Factor here, on this same stage, exactly 10 years ago. And now I’m back winning this!”
She then acknowledged how wonderful it was to meet Mel B: “I came to Australia when I was nine years old. I didn’t speak a word of English. But I learnt to speak by listening to the Spice Girls songs.”
Second runner up Conrad Sewell opened up on The Masked Singer Australia experience: “It was an emotional rollercoaster backstage. Everyone was like, you’re really going to go on a journey. They were right! I had a great time.”
After explaining that he couldn’t wait to tell his little boy Memphis that he is in fact that voice behind Bouncer, he announced that he and his partner have another baby on the way.
“It’s a little girl next, which is very lovely.”
Runner up Darren admitted that throughout the season, he had cried under his mask every time Abbie had become emotional at the thought of him being Grim Reaper, given his influence on her journey to come out as bi-sexual.
“It’s really hard to sing and cry!”
Asked by Chrissie what it was like being part of the show and why he decided to take part, Darren said: “I never thought I’d do this show [and] I’m so glad I did… It’s been like a warm hug, and I really needed that. I’ve had a tough year.”
And that’s a wrap on The Masked Singer Australia for 2023.
Dang.
I swear I thought this winner was on the show before
she was on the Korean one
One of the clues was “Statue of Liberty” which related to the mask she wore on that version.
Dami Im joins Bonnie Anderson as the winner of two reality talent shows - Bonnie won Australia’s Got Talent in 2007 and The Masked Singer 13 years later.
This is Dami’s Instagram post tonight:
Well the secret is finally out!!
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It’s been too much fun singing all those different songs under a 25kg++ costume
I might even sing one of those songs at my upcoming shows…
Bye bye gorgeous foxie @themaskedsingerau
EDIT: Darren made several Instagram posts early Wednesday morning:
Thanks for the most extraordinary adventure @maskedsingerau - and special hugs to @abbiechatfield for the love and reminding me of the power of lyrics and music. Amazing experience!!
@damiandmusic and @darrenhayes were the Final 2 on #MaskedSingerAU, and while there were suspicions about Darren Hayes, judge Chrissie guessed it was Dami Im! So how did the songstress feel about that? pic.twitter.com/0PR4y4ApYX
— The Project (@theprojecttv) November 8, 2023
Still think they should relaunch this over summer, perfect family entertainment viewing and already has somewhat of an established audience.
A refreshed guessing panel would likely help, wouldn’t be mad if they went with a new host…
Channel 9 should pick it up
David Campbell could be the host
Interesting that article lists there’s plenty to come for the rest of the year on 10. I’d argue there’s nowhere near enough content to sustain prime time until the end of the year. They’re at least 3-4 shows short.
Knowing 10 they’re planning on running dead for 6 weeks.
That article says the main issue is the high license fee. If it isn’t viable during ratings period, it definitely won’t be during summer.
I like the format but It should at least be given a years’ break. The novelty has only been wearing thinner and has diminishing returns.
If it does come back, it should be freshened up with a new host. Be brave and go with a niche host that matches the zany chaotic energy of the format. Someone like Joel creasy or Rhys Nicholson.
The host is not the problem. The panel is.
Unsurprising both likely wont be back this year, or at all. Probably the best decision 10 could’ve made, and they stuck with Bachelor far too long.
Looking forward to seeing what new ideas / franchises they plan to serve up for the second half of the year.