Following the success of The Masked Singer New Zealand's small screen debut last year, the celebrity panellists for its highly anticipated return to Three and ThreeNow this winter can now be revealed.
Sitting at the esteemed guessing panel will be three familiar faces. Season one veterans - comedian and writer James Roque and The Edge host and television presenter Sharyn Casey - are returning to the table, and rounding out the trio is brand-new panellist and award-winning musician, Anika Moa.
TV and radio personality Clint Randell is set to resume his role as host, guiding Kiwi audiences through the singing competition that has taken the nation - and the world - by storm.
The Masked Singer NZ features a myriad of celebrities, from sports stars to singers to television personalities and beyond. As fans of the show will know, there's always a catch: each contestant will be completely concealed head-to-toe in unique and extravagant costumes - think unicorns, robots, alligators and sheepdogs. Bigger, bolder and more spectacular than ever before, this season's dazzling costumes need to be seen to be believed.
Over the course of the series, 13 stars (including a duo!) will sing before a live audience and the celebrity guessing panel. Each contestant will slowly be eliminated and unmasked, with only one taking home the coveted golden Masked Singer trophy.
Will all that being said, let's meet the panellists:
Anika Moa
Singer-songwriter Anika Moa is one of New Zealand's most celebrated music artists, with six studio albums and four NZ Music Awards - including Best Female Vocalist - under her belt. Moa's sharp wit and hilarious banter have made waves on television too, having hosted the hit television series All Talk with Anika Moa, Anika Moa Unleashed and Anika Live. Known for her bubbly and comedic personality, the 'Falling in Love Again' singer is currently the co-host of Flava Breakfast.
"The Masked Singer NZ is such a fun show to be a part of. There are going to be some real standouts, weird moments and a lot of confused looks from me. Love, love, love this show," she said.
Sharyn Casey
TV and radio personality Sharyn Casey, co-host of The Edge Afternoons, has forged an impressive career in broadcasting spanning more than 15 years. Well-loved by audiences, Casey's television credits include hosting Dancing with the Stars NZ, six consecutive Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards Red Carpet shows, and multiple live boxing events for Three.
"Last season the singing blew me away and I still haven't got over some of the celebrities who had secret superstar voices. It's gonna be awesome to get back on the panel to see who's masking up this season," she said.
James Roque
Joining Moa and Casey at the helm is comedian and writer James Roque, a regular on New Zealand's comedy scene for over a decade. With several solo comedy shows under his belt, Roque has also flexed his comedic muscle as a writer and actor on shows such as Funny Girls, 7 Days and Jono and Ben.
"I'm super excited to be back for a whole new season of The Masked Singer NZ. Last season was a wild roller coaster, and this time I can't wait to meet the new characters and compete against the new guessers," he said.
Clint Randell
A familiar voice on Aotearoa's screens and airwaves, Clint Randell's varied broadcast career includes competing on New Zealand Idol, appearing on Let's Get Inventin' and Just the Job, hosting The Edge Breakfast for five years, competing in the 2019 season of Dancing with the Stars NZ and most recently, co-hosting the dynamic dancing competition alongside Sharyn Casey.
"Man, I'm so excited this show is back! We have brand new incredible costumes to unveil, and exciting new faces joining the guessing panel. I love that so many Kiwis invested in The Masked Singer NZ last season. I can promise you there will be no more hosting in speedos this time 'round, I'll be on my best behaviour," he said.
Warner Bros. Discovery is pleased to confirm Kellogg's Sultana Bran as broadcast sponsor for the new season. A new guest panellist will accompany Moa, Casey and Roque each week, with more information to follow.
Coming soon to Three and ThreeNow, The Masked Singer NZ is based on the South Korean series King Of Mask Singer, which has since inspired a hugely popular global franchise and has been adapted for American, British, Australian and Kiwi audiences.
