When the curtain lifted on week two of The Masked Singer season 14 on January 14, 2026, viewers were treated to a fresh set of five contestants, each cloaked in elaborate costumes and mystery. But it was the ethereal Calla Lily—gliding gracefully across the stage, draped in pale petals and floral details—who captured both the audience’s and the panel’s hearts with a performance that was as poignant as it was personal.
Calla Lily’s rendition of Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” wasn’t just another cover. According to Parade, her delivery was described as the “most emotionally raw performance of the night,” a moment that clearly resonated with both the panel and the audience. The costume itself, soft and symbolic, seemed to float, with even the judges remarking on her gliding entrance. But it was the story beneath the mask that truly gripped everyone watching.
Before she sang, Calla Lily offered a clue package that painted a vivid picture of struggle, fear, and resilience. She spoke of lilies as symbols of life’s beauty—embracing both the happy and the sad. As highlighted by Gold Derby and Parade, her clues were deeply personal: a wedding or engagement ring in a box, references to a serious health diagnosis that doctors initially missed, and the crushing impact that diagnosis had on her world. “When they told me the diagnosis, my world stopped,” she revealed in her clue package. The motivation to fight, she added, came from her children—her greatest source of strength.
“Tonight I’m ready to show my kids what we do—keep loving without any fear,” Calla Lily declared, her voice trembling with both nerves and determination. The performance, while emotional for many, drew mixed reactions from the panel. One reviewer from Gold Derby noted that the emotional weight of the song didn’t always translate vocally, possibly due to nerves, but as the chorus soared, so did Calla Lily’s confidence.
After the song, she shared a startling fact: “If this opportunity had come a year earlier, I had only a 1 percent chance of being able to do it—and this is my kids’ favorite show.” The audience, panel, and viewers at home were left in awe of her journey—a journey marked by a harrowing diagnosis, the fight of her life, and a triumphant return to the stage.
The clue package didn’t stop at emotional revelations. Visual hints included an anchor symbol on a watering can, a photo featuring three children represented as calla lilies, and a film slate that would later become a key part of the guessing game. Johnny Knoxville, the night’s special guest, appeared to promote FOX’s new series Fear Factor: House of Fear, but also played a role in the clue delivery. In a memorable moment, panelist Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg had to reach into a box of rats to retrieve a film slate that read: Production: The Masked Singer Season 14 / Roll 8 / Scene X / Shot 11 / Take 13.
As the panel digested the clues and performance, speculation ran wild. Rita Ora, visibly moved, called it “one of the most moving performances ever on the show.” She guessed Selma Blair, referencing Blair’s openness about her battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Ken Jeong, drawing from his own circle, guessed Christina Applegate, also known for her public fight with MS. Both panelists tied their guesses to the themes of resilience in the face of a life-changing diagnosis and the symbolism in the clues—such as the anchor (possibly for Anchorman) and the wedding ring (possibly for Married… With Children).
But the guessing didn’t end there. According to Gold Derby, the clues—especially the reference to three children, the 1 percent chance of performing, and the film slate—aligned closely with the life of Teddi Mellencamp. Mellencamp, a TV personality and podcast host best known for her three-season run on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, has been open about her own health battles. After being diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma that metastasized to her brain and lungs, Mellencamp announced in 2025 that her most recent scans showed no detectable cancer. She is also a mother of three, which matched the clue about the three calla lilies representing children. The numbers on the film slate—8, 11, 13—were speculated to correspond to her children’s ages, though the fit wasn’t perfect. Still, as Gold Derby put it: “It’s darn close.”
Of course, the guessing game is half the fun of The Masked Singer. Each week, fans and panelists alike scrutinize every lyric, prop, and clue in hopes of unmasking the celebrity. This season’s roster is as colorful as ever, with characters like 14 Karat Carrot, Cat Witch, Crane, Galaxy Girl, and Queen Corgi joining Calla Lily in the competition. No head-to-head battles this week—each singer had the stage to themselves, giving everyone a longer look at their vocals and movement as the mystery deepened.
Johnny Knoxville’s cameo wasn’t just a ratings grab; it was a clever cross-promotion for FOX, with Fear Factor: House of Fear debuting immediately after The Masked Singer in the Wednesday 9 p.m. ET/PT slot. Knoxville’s challenge for the panel, involving a box of rats, added a dose of humor and tension to the night’s proceedings.
For those wanting to catch up, new episodes of The Masked Singer air Wednesdays at 8/7c on FOX, with episodes available to stream the next day on Hulu. The guessing game continues as the season unfolds, with fans dissecting every clue and performance in hopes of cracking the code before the big reveal.
As week two closed, Calla Lily’s story—one of survival, family, and the courage to step back into the spotlight—remained the talk of social media and fan forums. Whether she’s ultimately revealed as Teddi Mellencamp, Selma Blair, Christina Applegate, or another beloved celebrity, her performance has already left a mark on this season. The blend of vulnerability, strength, and showmanship is exactly what keeps audiences coming back for more, week after week.
With each masked performance, The Masked Singer reminds viewers that behind every costume is a real person with a real story—sometimes one that’s far more dramatic and inspiring than anyone could guess.
