- Thursday, May 08, 2025
Gretchen Wilson Masked Singer winner, The Masked Singer season 13 finale, Pearl Masked Singer identity, Andy Grammer Boogie Woogie, Brian Kelley unmasked, Meg Donnelly Coral, The Masked Singer May 7 episode
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Four talented finalists—Pearl, Boogie Woogie, Coral, and Mad Scientist Monster—competed for the Golden Mask Trophy during The Masked Singer season 13 finale on May 7. Judge Rita Ora kicked off the night with a performance of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club,” before the finalists joined in. She then joined the judging panel alongside Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, and Robin Thicke.
Pearl shared a personal transformation story in her clue package. “It’s so strange that I’ve pulled off being the bejeweled princess,” she said. “It’s so unlike me. I’d say the hoodie and sweatpants is more in line with who I am.” Describing herself as “gritty, raw, unapologetic,” she recalled a pivotal moment when a record executive’s “now” was misread as “no.”
Her powerful rendition of KT Tunstall’s “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” earned high praise. “She came to win this competition,” said McCarthy, while Jeong called her “the Meryl Streep of Masked Singer.” A call from Pearl’s daughter added emotional weight: “I’m floored,” Pearl said through tears.
Coral, who sang “Moon River,” opened up about being pigeonholed in a franchise role despite her dreams of being a pop singer. Her dad offered support via a heartfelt call: “Watching you on stage, I cannot help but remember that young girl singing and dancing to Broadway songs in our living room… I love you always and forever.” Guesses for Coral’s identity included Hilary Duff and Selena Gomez.
Boogie Woogie delivered George Michael’s “Freedom! 90” with energy, revealing he once faced harsh criticism from a neighbor. “I realized that a big part of life is learning how to push through the pain,” he said. A call from his daughters encouraged him: “Daddy, you need to win!” McCarthy said he “brought the house down.”
Mad Scientist Monster sang Sugarland’s “Stay,” which Thicke called the “best vocal of the season.” He revealed that music wasn’t his first path—he once dreamed of becoming an athlete. His parents cheered him on in a supportive call, and guesses ranged from Sam Hunt to Billy Ray Cyrus.
In the first elimination round, Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line was revealed as Mad Scientist Monster. Meg Donnelly, known for Disney’s Zombies, was unmasked as Coral. That left Pearl and Boogie Woogie for the final showdown.
Boogie Woogie sang Lewis Capaldi’s “Love the Hell Out of You,” while Pearl closed with “I’ll Stand by You.” “Winning tonight would prove that there’s a lot more to me than just the one thing that everybody thinks I am,” Pearl said.
Ultimately, Pearl was declared the winner of season 13. Boogie Woogie unmasked as singer Andy Grammer, who shared that his clue—a breast cancer ribbon—honored his late mother. Pearl’s final clue, sparkly pants gifted by Dolly Parton, led to her reveal as country singer Gretchen Wilson.
