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In one of the most surprising and buzzed-about unmaskings in The Masked Singer history, Lucky Duck was unmasked during the Season 13 semifinals—and it was none other than Oscar-winning director and actor Taika Waititi.
Waititi’s unmasking was not just shocking because of his fame, but because of his personal connection to the show. His wife, singer and panelist Rita Ora, had no idea he was under the mask. The moment he removed the costume, Ora’s stunned reaction went viral—jaw dropped, completely speechless, then bursting into laughter and disbelief. It was a rare crossover of personal and professional worlds on a show built around secrecy and surprise.
Lucky Duck, initially brought in earlier in the season as a non-competing clue-giving character, had some reminiscence of the Season 5 Cluedle-Doo. But in a surprise twist, he became more of an active player for the semifinals. During the episode, Lucky Duck used the “Ding Dong Keep It On” bell—a season-long save for one panel feature—to rescue Coral and Boogie Woogie, taking all four semifinalists to the final. The decision disrupted the normal elimination sequence and generated suspense within the episode.
Waititi was kept secret until the grand reveal. Known for directing Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit, and his comedic style, Waititi showed his versatility by bringing cheeky panache to Lucky Duck. His voice impersonation and exaggerated character acting had everyone guessing, and no one on the panel even ventured to guess who he actually was.
This season of The Masked Singer has been “Lucky 13,” marking the show’s longevity as well as its capacity to shock. New costumes, new rules, and new energy have made it one of the most energetic seasons to date. The revelation of Taika Waititi as Lucky Duck brought a personal, emotional high that few anticipated.
The season finale is next Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox, when the remaining four contestants—Coral, Gumball, Goldfish, and Boogie Woogie—fight it out for the Golden Mask prize. You can also review past episodes on Hulu.
Regardless of whether you’re in it for the intrigue, the tunes, or the shock factor, The Masked Singer continues to demonstrate it still has tricks up its sleeve and knows how to keep the audience guessing.
