Who Is Harp on ‘The Masked Singer’ Season 8? Fans Think They’ve Solved It

The Masked Singer is back and fans are already sharing their theories on the celebrities behind the costumes.

Season 8 of the Fox singing competition premiered on September 21, with Nick Cannon back as host and Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong and Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg returning to the judging panel.

During the season premiere, Harp, Hummingbird, Knight and Hedgehog each took to the stage and at the end of the episode two celebrities were unmasked, with Hedgehog revealed as Monty Python star Eric Idle and Knight unveiled as Star Trek legend William Shatner.

Hummingbird has also been eliminated, but fans were left in the dark as to their identity and will have to wait until the Week 2 episode to discover the star behind the mask.

“The Masked Singer” fans think they know the celebrity behind the Harp costume. The singing competition is back and fans are already sharing their theories. FOX

Harp was crowned the winner of the group and will now progress to the next stage, meaning their identity is also still a secret. Fans at home, however, have turned detective and think they have solved the mystery already.

During the episode, Harp gave several clues, one of which being that she auditioned for “the biggest show in the world” as a teen, but she didn’t “fit the mold.”

Harp then said she was later given the opportunity of a lifetime and became “an idol for anyone that felt like an outsider”

“The ‘no’s in my life made me stronger, but I am not taking no for an answer tonight,” she added.

Binoculars, a call sheet with Harp in the leading role, two bouquets of roses, somebody wearing a witch’s hat, and 3D glasses were all also shown as clues.

Harp, pictured with host Nick Cannon, took to the stage during the “The Masked Singer” Season 8 premiere. Harp was ultimately crowned queen of the Week 1 group. FOX

The judges guessed Queen Latifah, Jordin Sparks, Fantasia Barrino and Jennifer Hudson, but fans at home believe it is actress Amber Riley.

Riley auditioned for American Idol in 2003 before she landed her role as Mercedes Jones on Glee. Riley, now 36, went on to play Effie White in the West End musical premiere of Dreamgirls.

“y’all can’t fool me i know that the harp is amber reily #maskedsinger,” wrote one convinced fan on Twitter.

While another agreed: “The Harp is Amber Riley and I knew that from the moment she walked out on the stage! #MaskedSinger.”

“I’ve only watched her clues and performance so far but the Harp is absolutely @MsAmberPRiley after how many years I’d know that voice anywhere #maskedsinger,” added a third The Masked Singer viewer.

One fan had another idea, posting: “The Harp is Sheryl Lee Ralph I know a Dreamgirl when I hear one! #maskedsinger.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph, who recently won her first Emmy Award for her role on Abbott Elementary, starred as Deena Jones in Dreamgirls in 1981.

Prior to the season premiere it was confirmed there would be a major change to the format for The Masked Singer’s eighth season.

Amber Riley at the 7th Annual Black Music Honors in May 2022. “The Masked Singer” fans are sure that Harp is the “Glee” actress. Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Black Music Honors

In previous seasons only one contestant has been unmasked per week, but for this installment the celebrities are divided into groups, and will compete within their group to be crowned king or queen.

Each week only the king or queen will make it through to the next stage and all the other performers will be unmasked.

Though Harp was the winner, meaning Hummingbird didn’t make it through to the next round, Hummingbird’s identity hasn’t yet been revealed. Fans think, however, that it is NYSYNC star Chris Kirkpatrick.

The full list of Season 8 costumes have been confirmed as Avocado, Beetle, Bride, Fortune Teller, Gopher, Lambs, Maize, Milkshake, Mummies, Panther, Pi-Rat, Robo Girl, Scarecrow, Sir Bugaboo, Venus Fly Trap and Walrus.

The Masked Singer executive producer Craig Plestis has revealed that this season the costumes are actually clues for the identities of the performers.

The Masked Singer airs Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.