Billy Ray Cyrus Unmasked as Owl on "The Masked Singer" Season 14

On February 11, 2026, "The Masked Singer" aired its sixth episode of Season 14, themed "Twilight Night," which celebrated the popular film saga. The episode featured performances inspired by the love triangle of Edward Cullen, Bella Swan, and Jacob Black, culminating in a special performance by Christina Perri of her hit song "A Thousand Years." The episode concluded with the unmasking of Billy Ray Cyrus, who performed as the character Owl.

Entertainment Weekly

During the episode, Owl faced off against Stingray in a battle that involved both contestants performing their renditions of Pat Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield." Ultimately, Stingray was saved, leading to Owl's elimination and subsequent unmasking as Billy Ray Cyrus. This revelation surprised the panelists, none of whom correctly guessed his identity; guesses included Ted Danson, Dennis Quaid, and Kurt Russell.

Variety Magazine

With Owl's departure, the remaining contestants in Season 14 include High Voltage, Pangolin, Eggplant, Galaxy Girl, Cat Witch, Pugcasso, Snow Cone, and Crane. Cyrus's unmasking adds him to a list of previously revealed celebrities this season, which includes Taraji P. Henson, Tiffany Haddish, and David Ortiz, among others. The season features a total of 18 masked contestants, who collectively boast impressive accolades, including 94 million records sold and multiple award nominations.

Variety Magazine

Billy Ray Cyrus, reflecting on his journey, stated, “When I took flight, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing my name... But then there were also the comments. My biggest fear became people laughing at me, and not with me.” He emphasized the importance of following one's heart, a theme echoed throughout his performance and clues.

Variety Magazine

While the episode was well-received, some viewers expressed disappointment over the panel's inability to guess Cyrus's identity, suggesting that the clues may not have been sufficiently indicative of his persona. This has sparked discussions about the effectiveness of the show's guessing game format.

Variety Magazine

As the competition progresses, the next episode of "The Masked Singer" is scheduled to air on February 25, 2026. Viewers can anticipate further themed nights and performances as the remaining contestants vie for the title.

Entertainment Weekly

• “Popular on Variety In his first appearance, Cyrus referenced his 1992 claim to fame: “When I took flight, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing my name.” — Billy Ray Cyrus

Variety Magazine

• “It’s great being with y’all.” — Billy Ray Cyrus

Variety Magazine

• “My biggest fear became people laughing at me, and not with me.” — Billy Ray Cyrus

Variety Magazine

This episode of "The Masked Singer" not only showcased the talents of its contestants but also highlighted the emotional journeys of its participants, particularly through the lens of love and personal growth as exemplified by Billy Ray Cyrus.

Entertainment Weekly