The Masked Dancer Finale Crowns a Winner

Paula and Brian were spot on when naming Maksim as the Sloth, while Ken said Channing Tatum and Ashley said Hugh Jackman.

Finally, the Cotton Candy enjoyed the sweet taste of victory when she was crowned the winner of the first season of The Masked Dancer.

It turned out to be Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas, best known as a member of the Fierce Five gymnastics squad at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

Ken came close when he predicted another Olympian, Michelle Kwan. 

“Being the Cotton Candy has been such an amazing journey,” The Gabby Douglas Story star and producer said before unmasking herself. Afterward, she told the panelists, “This experience has been so, so amazing. I thank everyone so much and I love everyone so much.” 

Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas has earned another gold medal! 

The Masked Dancer champ’s clues were teased as follows: She’s a perfectionist who loves an English-style breakfast, and has something to do with a wizard hat. She moved in with a new family as a kid and had trouble keeping up, and there’s something about a clock with the numbers 12, 5, 6 and 9 replaced with L, E, F and I. Lip cupcakes are also important. 

From Dancing With the Stars to The Masked Dancer! Maksim Chmerkovskiy took home second place. 

His clues: He’s a fitness lover who worked hard to get to wherever he is today. He had a bad accident as a kid, and one clue suggests he was on Dancing With the Stars. The number 13 is also important. 

Dance Moms star Mackenzie Ziegler came in third place. 

The Gen Z superstar’s clues included that she loves the number 11 and was teased all the time growing up. She was in the glee club and the acrobatics club, and she’s got some fancy green boots that she occasionally clicks together a la The Wizard of Oz. 

Former professional boxer Oscar De La Hoya was a total knockout on the stage, but didn’t quite make it to the finale. 

Through the competition, it was teased that he’s been out of the limelight for a while, but wears a medal with a “3” on it. 

American Idol‘s very own Jordin Sparks was revealed to be the Exotic Bird.

The singer’s clues included… She started competing as a teenager. She has a perfume line and a glittery gun. She felt attacked a lot. “Best by 07” is a clue. 

Jersey Shore‘s Vinny Guadagnino fist bumped his way into The Masked Dancer as Hammerhead. 

His clues: He’s a shark who loves a burger and some alphabet soup that says “talk.” He also loves a cup of “Joe.” He became famous too quickly and realized he was unhappy, so now he’s doing things that used to scare him. 

Singer Brian McKnight joined the cast of The Masked Dancer as Cricket. Fans may have guessed correctly if they paid attention to references that included 90210, Punk’d and The Apprentice. 

Elizabeth Smart was revealed to be Miss Moth.

Her clues included… She’s in the spotlight even if she didn’t want it. She used to be a regular moth and then was suddenly making headlines with the president. She had a traumatic experience that changed her life and she’s a survivor who now has ties to the Capitol building. 

Ken Jeong called it: Bill Nye the Science Guy turned out to be the dancing Ice Cube. 

Law & Order: SVU star Ice-T somehow had the time to dance on The Masked Dancer as the Disco Ball. Who knew?!