Masked Singer Season 14 Premiere Sends Baseball Icon Home in Surprise Exit

The Masked Singer returned with an immediate shock in its Season 14 premiere, revealing and eliminating one of sports’ most recognizable figures in the opening episode. The Fox singing competition wasted little time raising the stakes, delivering a double elimination that left both the panel and audience stunned.

The first celebrity sent home was hidden beneath the towering “Googly Eyes” costume. From the start, judges suspected an athlete due to the performer’s height and physical presence. That hunch proved accurate when the mask came off to reveal David Ortiz, the former Boston Red Sox star widely known as Big Papi.

Ortiz delivered a high-energy performance of “Turn Down for What,” leaning into humor and confidence rather than vocal precision. While the crowd embraced the spectacle, his performance ultimately fell short against competing acts, landing him in the bottom group and sealing his early exit.

The judging panel offered a range of guesses before the reveal. Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg floated Derek Jeter, Robin Thicke initially suggested Manny Ramirez before pivoting, and Rita Ora echoed similar baseball-themed suspicions. Ken Jeong emerged as the lone correct guesser, identifying Ortiz before the unmasking.

Following his reveal, Ortiz joked about the physical toll of performing in the oversized costume, describing it as a workout in itself. He exited the stage in trademark fashion, delivering a playful jab that delighted longtime baseball fans.

The premiere also teased further shakeups. A masked duo known as The Croissants was placed in jeopardy, with their identities set to be revealed in the next episode, extending the suspense beyond the opening night.

Season 14 introduces a new twist with the addition of an “America’s Insider,” allowing viewers to know one contestant’s identity while the judges remain in the dark. The format shift adds another layer to a series already defined by secrecy and surprise.

With themed episodes, a fresh lineup of masked competitors, and an early elimination that underscored how unpredictable the competition remains, The Masked Singer signaled that no celebrity, regardless of fame or stature, is safe this season.