On the February 11, 2026 episode of Fox’s hit reality competition The Masked Singer, audiences and panelists alike were left stunned as the identity of the mysterious Owl was finally revealed. Underneath the elaborate feathers and beak was none other than country music legend Billy Ray Cyrus, whose unmasking capped off a Valentine’s Day-themed installment brimming with nostalgia, heartfelt stories, and a few genuine surprises.
Season 14, Episode 6—aptly titled “Twilight Night”—saw the show’s signature blend of spectacle, secrecy, and celebrity as contestants performed beneath their intricate costumes. This week’s theme paid tribute to the blockbuster Twilight Saga films, complete with recreated scenes and a romantic undercurrent just in time for Valentine’s Day. Christina Perri even opened the show with her ballad “A Thousand Years,” a song forever linked to the vampire franchise’s most iconic moments, according to Variety.
But it was the Owl who stole the spotlight. From the beginning, the character dropped hints that had both viewers and panelists scratching their heads. In his clue packages, the Owl referenced his meteoric rise to fame—"When I took flight, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing my name. Folks even started following my look. Imagine that. But then there were also the comments. My biggest fear became people laughing at me, and not with me. Terrifying, right? But I didn’t listen. Instead, I focused on me. On family. Eventually, life gave me the chance to do something so big, those haters were all eating their words. So, if folks are poking fun behind your back, just give them the bird and do your thing," he declared, as quoted by Variety.
The clues didn’t stop there. The Owl shared a personal story about his early days, revealing a love for baseball before his heart led him to music. “I love America’s favorite pastime as much as anyone. But I’m no pro. Back in the day, I was a scrappy, right-handed slugger. Then one day, my heart was telling me something. This was not my path. So I turned in my glove. I knew there were other fields for me to play in. And guess what? I soared to success. Now that’s a lesson I try to teach my kids. Follow your heart and no matter the field, you’ll always hit a grand slam,” he shared, according to Talent Recap and E! News.
The episode’s competitive heart came to a head when Owl and fellow contestant Stingray found themselves in the bottom two. Each performed their own rendition of Pat Benatar’s classic “Love Is a Battlefield.” In the end, Stingray was saved by the panel, and Owl was eliminated—setting the stage for one of the season’s most highly anticipated reveals.
As the judges prepared to guess the Owl’s identity, speculation ran rampant. Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg guessed Ted Danson, Ken Jeong echoed the same, Rita Ora threw Kurt Russell’s name into the ring, and Robin Thicke settled on Dennis Quaid. None of the panelists, however, managed to connect the dots to Billy Ray Cyrus—a fact that left them all genuinely shocked when the mask finally came off. “Oh my god! How did I not get that?” McCarthy-Wahlberg exclaimed, as reported by E! News.
For Cyrus, the experience was both a challenge and a joy. “It’s an honor to be with you all. It’s been a lot of fun being here with all of you all. Music changes everything. The music changes lives,” he told the panel and audience, his gratitude evident. The 64-year-old singer has seen his share of ups and downs, from his 1992 breakout hit “Achy Breaky Heart” to a new generation’s adoration thanks to his role alongside daughter Miley Cyrus on Disney’s Hannah Montana, as highlighted by E! News.
The episode also offered a glimpse into Cyrus’s personal life. The Owl’s clue package included a heartfelt anecdote about finding love during a difficult period. “I was at my lowest point, getting dragged through the mud publicly. Suddenly, I get a text from a number I don’t recognize. It says, ‘The vultures are circling, but I’m in your corner.’ The thing is, I didn’t know who sent it. It turned out to be from someone I least expected. This girl was just as beautiful as her words. We went out for a date and the chemistry was real. We’ve been together ever since,” he revealed. Cyrus later confirmed that the “Lady Owl” referenced during the show, as well as the lady in red during his performance, were nods to his partner, actress Elizabeth Hurley. The couple, who first met while filming the 2022 movie Christmas in Paradise, went public with their romance in April 2025.
The Valentine’s Day theme was woven throughout the episode, from romantic clue packages to special performances. After Owl’s rendition of “White Wedding” by Billy Idol—complete with a tambourine dancer in red—he received a sweet Valentine’s message from “Lady Owl,” who said, “Hey baby, Lady Owl here. Watching you has been enchanting. Good luck tonight and Happy Valentine’s Day.” The message, delivered with a British accent, prompted a round of speculation from the judges, with Rita Ora—herself raised in the UK—joking about being the resident expert on all things British.
With the Owl’s departure, the competition narrowed to High Voltage, Pangolin, Eggplant, Galaxy Girl, Stingray, Cat Witch, Pugcasso, Snow Cone, and Crane. This season has boasted a remarkably talented lineup: the 18 masked contestants have collectively sold 94 million records, earned 47 Teen Choice Award nominations, 12 Emmy nods, two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Tony Award win, and even an Academy Award nomination, as noted by Variety.
Returning for Season 14 were host Nick Cannon and panelists Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Rita Ora, and Robin Thicke. A new twist this season introduced “America’s Insider,” with singer and social media personality Kylie Cantrall sharing behind-the-scenes hints in costume as Cat Witch—her identity known only to viewers, not the panelists.
Themed episodes this year have included tributes to Star Trek, the ‘90s comedy Clueless, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, with more on the way, such as a “Fear Factor: House of Fear Night” hosted by Johnny Knoxville and an “Ozzfest Night” honoring the late Ozzy Osbourne, featuring a special tribute by his daughter Kelly Osbourne.
Billy Ray Cyrus’s unmasking as Owl was more than just a moment of surprise—it was a testament to the enduring appeal of reinvention and resilience. As the season continues, fans can expect more twists, more music, and, if this week was any indication, more heart than ever before.