When it comes to the raw talent behind the mask, The Masked Singer Season 5 has picked the cream of the crop in terms of just straight vocalists. Unlike most seasons, unseasoned singers such as YouTuber-turned-boxer Logan Paul and reality star Caitlyn Jenner were eliminated early. That led the way for contestants such as Piglet to gain placement in the Top 8. But with a show as unpredictable as the Fox series, Piglet could be the next big reveal.
At this moment in the competition, Piglet is one of the best singers on The Masked Singer. From the vocal tone to those high notes, whomever is behind the mask is a professional with a natural talent. So far, Piglet has tackled songs in multiple genres, from Lukas Graham’s “7 Years” to country duo Dan and Shay’s “Speechless" to pop-rock singer Andy Grammer’s “Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah).” He’s managed to go from song to song without struggling or feeling out of place. Given his stage presence, the Piglet is a true showman, but is he a musical artist or a reality television star?
The Clues for Piglet
Clues for the Piglet have been all over the place, from allusions to Bachelor roses to football references. It’s been a little confusing to pin down who he is. We all know he is a family man, but the clues continue to throw the audience off his trail.
While Piglet’s clues have sent viewers in various directions, things may be clearer than people think. Once you start to piece all the clues together, who the Piglet is starts to make sense. At this point, I’m quite sure I know who is behind the Piglet costume. First, though, let's look at some of the most likely to be behind the mask!
Is Charlie Puth on Masked Singer Season 5?
Pop singer-songwriter Charlie Puth would be perfect for something like The Masked Singer. The singer-songwriter got his start as a YouTube sensation covering songs such as Adele’s “Someone Like You” and Lady A’s “Need You.” Puth’s sweet vocal tones are like those of the Piglet, given songs such as “One Call Away” and “Change.” The pop star hasn’t put out a new album since 2018 so the Fox series would be a terrific way to reintroduce himself to the public. Even though 2020 was a rough year for music artists, Puth seemed to have kept busy as evident by his current YouTube class.
Is Nick Lachey Behind Piglet’s Sweet Vocals?
Piglet’s sweet and rich vocal tone has made him a fan favorite. With that in mind, a former boy bander is a prime contender to be behind the mask. More specifically, Nick Lachey’s vocal styling and tone have come to mind. The Piglet’s song selection fits right in Lachey’s wheelhouse as one quarter of the hit 1990s boy band 98 Degrees. But in recent years, the singer has turned his attention to television hosting and writing. So, participating in The Masked Singer would be a return to what the public originally knew him for.
Has The Bachelor’s Bob Guiney Joined The Masked Singer?
An unexpected name thrown into the mix is Bob Guiney of The Bachelor Season 4 fame. If you’re part of Bachelor Nation, then Guiney isn’t too off-base for the singing Fox competition. The reality television star was part of a band before doing The Bachelor, leading to his only album being released in 2003. Guiney does have a similar tone and musical background to that of the Piglet. The Bachelor star hasn’t been in the public eye in a few years so The Masked Singer would be a clever way to restart his music and television career.
Zayn Malik Could Be the Piglet, But Probably Not
Much like Nick Lachey and Charlie Puth, pop superstar Zayn Malik is a good fit for the Piglet. The singer is no stranger to a singing competition, having won UK’s The X-Factor as part of One Direction. It fits into the idea of him being a boy bander. Malik’s sweet and rich vocal tone and high notes are the right matches for those of the Piglet. If the pop superstar was to appear on the series, it would arguably be the biggest get for the Fox competition in its five-season run so far.
But given Zayn Malik’s reluctance to be in public, this guess is the most unlikely. It has been years since the former One Directioner has performed live or done an in-person interview due to his battle with social anxiety. Plus, the singer is known to be experimental with his sound so the song selection might not fit. So, doing a show like The Masked Singer doesn’t seem probable for the pop superstar.
Our Best Guess
While Zayn Malik and Charlie Puth fit the boyband profile, this rich vocal tone is that of a veteran singer. I believe he's 98 Degrees member, actor, and television host Nick Lachey. His vocal styling and tone are familiar for a regular TRL and MTV’s Newlyweds watcher of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Piglet's song selection made that choice even more obvious. Plus, all those 1990s boyband moves – hand gestures and dance moves – speak to those of a guy who knows how to work a stage.
While the Piglet’s clues have been all over the place, it was the hint in Episode 5 that confirmed his identity for me. It was the dog tags with the letter “P" presented to the judges. In recent years, Nick Lachey has devoted himself to being a family man with three children. The “P” is significant as his youngest son is named Phoenix.
Plus, his third clue package told the story of the Piglet and the spider. Assuming Nick Lachey is the man beneath the mask, this story referred to how he and his current wife Vanessa Lachey got together before starting a family. The prison gate alluded to the media scrutiny he received during his divorce from fellow pop singer Jessica Simpson. The singer and his wife formed a romantic relationship after they met on the set of a music video. The couple are now the parents of three children.
There’s a reason The Masked Singer invited the Piglet to participate in the program. The odds for the Piglet winning are very much on his side, given Nick Carter’s Crocodile and Joey Fatone’s Rabbit made it to the Top 3 and 4, respectively. If Piglet continues to shine vocally for the rest of Seasons 5, he might make it to the finals despite some stiff competition.
Do you agree with Nick Lachey being the Piglet or any of our guesses? Voice your opinion in our poll and catch The Masked Singer on Fox Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET. For more on Season 5, be sure to read our guesses on who could be The Black Swan and find which clue may have given away her identity.
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