On Friday, May 9, Mask Singer viewers were treated to a major surprise on TF1 as international music star Shaggy was unmasked as the celebrity hidden beneath the Cyclops costume.
The panel—Élodie Poux, Kev Adams, Chantal Ladesou, and Laurent Ruquier—played detective in front of a captivated live audience. The reveal, broadcast live and quickly relayed across social media, set off a wave of excitement and admiration online.
The suspense came to an end when the Jamaican icon, known for global hits like It Wasn’t Me and Boombastic, stepped out from behind the mask after weeks of speculation and cryptic clues. Fans and viewers had been picking up on telltale signs: an English accent, nods to urban music, hints about luck, and the name “Paul”—all suggesting a Caribbean-born music legend.
Élodie Poux and Kev Adams were among those who correctly guessed Shaggy’s identity, while Chantal Ladesou had put forward names like Tiken Jah Fakoly or even Snoop Dogg.
A season of big names
The current season, which kicked off on May 2, has already delivered high-caliber reveals. The Rhino, eliminated during the premiere, turned out to be Patrick Sébastien, another major name in French entertainment. This year, TF1 is clearly betting on big international stars, with Laurent Ruquier calling Shaggy “the biggest celebrity we’ve ever had on the show.”
The moment Shaggy was unmasked, social media lit up with praise for his vocal performance and stage charisma, and kudos poured in for both the panelists and fans who had successfully cracked the mystery.