‘Mask Singer’ reinvents itself in its fifth season: more masks, double unmasking and new investigators

The fifth season of Mask Singer: Guess Who's Singing arrives with the aim of continuing to surprise the audience, and it does so with important new features. As highlighted in the online press conference we attended, this edition will feature 18 masks, two unmaskings in each gala —an unprecedented mechanic internationally—, duets with celebrities and new dynamics that will also be present in the semifinals. “As a presenter I say: they've done it again”, assured Arturo Valls during the meeting, in relation to how the program continues to outdo itself, in which each season represents a true challenge of renewal and longevity, always seeking to introduce elements that refresh the format and maintain its essence.

The program also reinforces its team of investigators with very diverse profiles. Ana Milán represents the voice of experience and character, Ruth Lorenzo stands out for her ear and analytical capacity, Boris Izaguirre adds for the television spectacle and his extensive cultural knowledge, while Juan y Medio becomes the humorous and approachable touch. Regarding his signing, it was explained that it responds to conversations with the network to reinforce the family character of the format, and that his involvement has been total from the beginning, as it was a project that especially caught his attention, “a ship he wanted to be on”. Mario Briongos, CEO of Freemantle, has highlighted the technical difficulty of this edition, in “a very fun season, in which everyone has contributed their grain of sand”. 

Another of the keys of this season will be the increase of the game with the spectator. The clues evolve with elements like QR codes that reveal everyday details —from the last phone alarm to locations— and invite theorizing on social media. Even so, the team insisted on the importance of maintaining balance: the experience is designed to enjoy the mystery, even in a context where artificial intelligence can help generate theories, remembering that “until the mask is removed, it is not discovered”.

Added to this is the strict secrecy that characterizes the format. Anecdotally, Carmen Ferreiro, director of entertainment programs at Atresmedia, has stated that in other editions “masks have been discarded even with a signed contract due to leaks, because it is a red line”, stressing that only a very small group knows the identities. Part of the team itself works without knowing who is behind the masks, using code names, encrypted messages, and eliminating any trace of sensitive information. In fact, many prefer not to know in order not to break the magic of the program, since knowing would be like getting a “spoiler” and losing the essence. In this sense, Arturo Valls recalled that especially in the first season, attempts by friends and acquaintances to extract information were common. “I’ve had to train my poker face a lot,” he joked, also highlighting the director’s role: “Belén is incredible, the seriousness she can put on to reveal nothing.”

Regarding the casting, the difficulty of convincing certain profiles was questioned, especially those who do not belong to the entertainment world. However, they affirm that the experience —from the secrecy of the transfers to the freedom offered by acting under a mask— ends up being irresistible: it allows one to leave their comfort zone, especially for the most timid, and ends up being “adictive,” to the point that they affirm that some profiles have even asked to participate in the program, due to the family tone or wanting to surprise their acquaintances. The objective when choosing the profile of the celebrities is to achieve a balance between very diverse profiles —singers, actors, international stars, athletes, politicians, socialites or influencers— who manage to surprise the audience in each unmasking, and that the reaction ends up being "oh my goodness, I can't believe that person has been behind the mask all this time", and they affirm that in this edition it has been achieved again. 

After five editions, the program has also managed to differentiate itself internationally, adapting its mechanics to the rhythm and taste of the Spanish audience. The introduction of two unmaskings per gala or figures like the “informer” reinforce a constant commitment to innovate without losing identity. All this confirms that, despite the passage of time, the format continues to evolve and consolidate itself as a benchmark for family entertainment.