The Masked Singer finale: Anastacia, Em Rusciano and Axle Whitehead revealed

The last three celebrities of this season of The masked singer were revealed, as American pop star Anastacia was crowned winner of this season.

Anastacia, actress and presenter Em Rusciano and former Australian Idol Contestant Axle Whitehead was the last three contestants to be unmasked in Tuesday’s grand finale, having played the roles of Vampire, Dolly and Mullet respectively.

Anastacia was arguably the biggest “get” of this season – a platinum-selling international pop star who had Australia’s biggest song in 2000 with his mega-hit I’m outta love. It was the first in a series of successful singles and albums for the 53-year-old singer.

Anastacia says she was drawn to the show because it gave her a chance to perform during the pandemic.

“The industry is completely frozen. We don’t have stages to go on, we can’t have a crowd, and I understand that because I want to keep people safe, but I miss my job and I really, really miss singing. And so it was such a beautiful card without getting out of jail, ”she said.

“I don’t know when I will be able to tour. I’m hopeful, but I’ll be maybe 75 by the time I take the stage.

Fans of runner-up Em Rusciano picked her as Dolly early in the season, and the 42-year-old professional singer and performer, also a candidate for the second season of Australian Idol – played coy about the social media speculation.

“It was surprisingly moving. I haven’t been able to sing live for 18 months. I’m a live artist, so his just put all the magic back in my blood, ”Rusciano said after his reveal.

“It was the best experience of my life!”

Whitehead, 40, who placed third, was perhaps the least-known celebrity in the finale – a contestant in the first season of Australian Idol, he then turned to TV presentation and released a solo album, but has had a lower public profile in recent years, aside from a guest role in 2020 on Neighbors.

Earlier, the Kebab was revealed as Australian singer Jack Vidgen on Monday night’s penultimate episode, which embarrassed Judge Dannii Minogue – who was also on the jury 10 years ago when Vidgen became famous for the first time as the winner of Australia has talent.

Still, it’s nothing about Jackie O, who was stunned last week when a special guest on an episode was revealed to be her 20-plus-year-old co-host Kyle Sandilands. She had mistakenly guessed that he was actor Anthony LaPaglia.

Elsewhere this season, viewers have seen revelations from Australian singers like Ella Hooper and Ben Lee, other local identities including TV chief George Calombaris and rugby legend Lote Tuqiri, and even a handful of big international names. , with British actor Vinnie Jones and American soul singer Macy Gray winning two of the biggest reactions of the season.