Review
During The Masked Singer season 2, guest panelist Joel McHale declared that Wayne Brady’s rendition of «Tennessee Whiskey» as Fox was the best ever on the show, but is this still true? Wayne won The Masked Singer season 2, with Chris Daughtry (Rottweiler) placing second, and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton (Flamingo) placing third. Throughout the competition, Wayne wowed the panelists—Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Nicole Scherzinger, and guest Joel—with his phenomenal performances.
Throughout The Masked Singer season 2 as Fox, Wayne sang «This Love» by Maroon 5, «Hey Look Ma, I Made It» by Panic! at the Disco, «Every Little Step» by Bobby Brown, «Blame It» by Jaime Foxx ft. T-Pain, «This Christmas» by Donny Hathaway, and «Try a Little Tenderness» by Otis Redding. However, it was his performance of Chris Stapleton’s «Tennessee Whiskey» that prompted Joel to say, «I usually joke about everything, but that was the best performance I’ve ever seen on this show. That was incredible. So go ahead and take your mask off. You’ve won. That’s fine.«
Wayne Brady's Performance Of "Tennessee Whiskey" As Fox Made Him A Masked Singer Legend
Wayne Transcended The Competition As Fox
When Wayne sang Chris Stapleton’s «Tennesee Whiskey» during The Masked Singer season 2, he showcased his smooth vocals, his incredible range, and his ability to make an emotional connection through music. His performance transcended the competition, and it felt like a professional concert, rather than a silly guessing game show with celebrities hiding their identities in ridiculous costumes. Wayne brought the competition to another level, and, at the time, Joel was right, and it was the best performance in the show’s history.
There Have Been Many Extraordinary Masked Singer Performances Since Season 2
Wayne Has Some Worthy Competition For The Best Performance Ever
Since Wayne competed as Fox during The Masked Singer season 2 in 2019, many other legendary stars have appeared on the show in the subsequent eleven seasons. In season 13, winner Gretchen Wilson (Pearl)’s «Conga» by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine dazzled everyone, while runner-up Andy Grammer (Boogie Woogie) stole the show with «Unsteady» by X Ambassadors.
The Masked Singer season 12 winners Boyz II Men (Buffalos) shocked everyone by revealing themselves as a trio during their incredible version of «(I Just) Died in Your Arms)» by Cutting Crew, while runner-up Mario (Wasp) floored viewers with his sensational rendition of «Beautiful Things» by Benson Boone.
In addition, performances from the other winners who Wayne, including Vanessa Hudgens (Goldfish, season 11); Ne-Yo (Cow, season 10); Bishop Briggs (Medusa, season 9); Amber Riley (Harp, season 8); Teyana Taylor (Firefly, season 7); Jewel (Queen of Hearts, season 6); Nick Lachey (Piglet, season 5); LeAnn Rimes (Sun, season 4); and Kandi Burruss (Night Angel, season 3), rivaled his performance of «Tennessee Whiskey.» (T-Pain had won season 1 as Monster).
The other Masked Singer runners-up after Wayne also stunned everyone with their dazzling performances, including Jesse McCartney (Turtle, season 3); Aloe Blacc (Mushroom, season 4); JoJo (Black Swan, season 5); Todrick Hall (Bull, season 6); Hayley Orrantia (Ringmaster, season 7); Wilson Phillips (Lambs season 8); David Archuleta (Macaw, season 9); John Schneider (Donut, season 10); and Scott Porter (Gumball, season 11). (Donny Osmond (Peacock) was the season 1 runner-up).
In addition, duo and group costumes first appeared on The Masked Singer season 4 two years after Wayne won, and they captivated everyone with their spectacular songs. Performances from contestants such as Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black (Snow Owls), Hanson (Russian Dolls), Katharine McPhee and David Foster (Banana Split), En Vogue (Queen Cobras), Wilson Phillips (Lambs), Pentatonix (California Roll), and Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken (Beets) blew everyone away. There were so many other outstanding performances from other celebrities on the show as well.
Although Joel proclaimed that Wayne’s rendition of «Tennessee Whiskey» was the that best he’d ever seen on the show, there have been so many more fantastic performances throughout the years. It’s hard to choose just one of them to be the absolute best. It all comes down to personal preferences. However, Wayne will always be remembered for being one of the most talented and beloved Masked Singer contestants of all-time as Fox.
The Masked Singer is available to stream on Hulu. The Masked Singer season 14 premieres in January 2026 on FOX.
Sources: The Masked Singer Mundial/YouTube, The Masked Singer/YouTube, The Masked Singer/YouTube
The Masked Singer is a reality singing competition where celebrities perform in elaborate costumes concealing their identities, with panelists and viewers trying to guess who is behind the mask based on clues provided throughout the show.
