‘The Masked Singer’ Plans Miley Cyrus, Barbie and ‘Footloose’ Tributes

As “The Masked Singer” returns next month for Season 12, the show has revealed some of its weekly theme nights — paying tribute to Mattel’s Barbie as it hits its 65th anniversary, as well as the film “” as it marks its 40th anniversary. Miley Cyrus will also be honored with an episode devoted to her music catalog.

Back for the new season, which returns Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. ET on Fox, are panelists Ken Jeong, Rita Ora, Robin Thicke and Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg. Nick Cannon returns as host.

Previous tentpole themes that will return include “Soundtrack of My Life” and “Thanksgiving Night,” while other new themes include “Sports Night,” “60’s Night.” Also new: “Who Are You Fest,” featuring music from “memorable festival lineups.”

Also new this season, clues will be “strategically embedded in costumes, in song choices and on-stage moments.” And the fifteen celebrity contestant will be endorsed by a “celebrity Masked Ambassador,” made up of previous participants including Dick Van Dyke (Season 9’s Gnome), Jewel (Season 6 winner as the Queen of Hearts), Ne-yo (Season 10 winner as the Cow) and DeMarcus Ware (Season 11’s Koala).

In the 2023-24 broadcast season, The Masked Singer averaged a 0.6 Live + 7 Day rating among adults 18-49 and 5.9 million multiplatform viewers season-to-date according to Fox. The show continues to be Fox’s No. 1 unscripted series, a feat it has accomplished each season it has aired.

“The Masked Singer” comes from Fox Alternative Entertainment. Rosie Seitchik, Craig Plestis and Cannon are executive producers, while Seitchik serves as showrunner. The series is based on the South Korean format created by Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp.