Fans of The Masked Singer noticed the absence of a familiar face when Season 11 and Season 12 aired – the vibrant and insightful Nicole Scherzinger. After being a staple panelist for ten seasons, her departure left many wondering: why did Nicole Scherzinger leave The Masked Singer? The answer lies in a dazzling career move that took her from the television screen to the prestigious stage of London’s West End.
Nicole Scherzinger’s exit from The Masked Singer was primarily due to her commitment to star in the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical, Sunset Boulevard. She took on the lead role in the West End production, which premiered in September 2023 for a limited 16-week run. Her performance was critically acclaimed, culminating in her winning the coveted Best Actress in a Musical award at the 2024 Laurence Olivier Awards. This prestigious recognition underscores the significant acclaim and time commitment associated with her role in Sunset Boulevard.
The timeline of Sunset Boulevard directly clashed with the filming schedule for Season 11 of The Masked Singer, making it impossible for Nicole to juggle both commitments. Further extending her absence, the Sunset Boulevard production is set to transfer to Broadway in September 2024, with Nicole Scherzinger reprising her award-winning role. This move to Broadway solidified her continued dedication to the musical and explained her absence from Season 12 as well.
Beyond her demanding role in Sunset Boulevard, Nicole Scherzinger has been engaged in a variety of other projects. During the break between her West End run and Broadway rehearsals, she enjoyed a summer of international travel with her fiancé, Thom Evans, and also performed at various music festivals around the globe. Adding to her busy schedule, August 2024 saw the announcement of Nicole joining Liam Payne and Kelly Rowland as a judge and mentor on Netflix’s new music competition series, Building the Band, hosted by A.J. McLean. This innovative show focuses on forming musical groups based on chemistry before the artists even meet in person, adding another layer to Nicole’s diverse portfolio of projects.
Stepping in to fill Nicole’s chair on The Masked Singer panel was Rita Ora. Rita joined as a replacement for both Season 11 and Season 12. Announcing her new role in September 2023, Rita expressed her excitement about joining the US version of the show, having previously served as a panelist on The Masked Singer UK for four seasons. Her return for Season 12 was confirmed in June 2024. While Rita Ora has taken over the panelist role, Fox has indicated that future casting decisions beyond Season 12 are still open, leaving the door ajar for Nicole Scherzinger’s potential return to The Masked Singer in seasons to come.
The judging panel for The Masked Singer Season 12 featured Rita Ora alongside returning favorites Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong, and Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, with Nick Cannon continuing his role as host. These familiar faces have been with the show since its inception, maintaining continuity while Rita Ora brought a fresh perspective in Nicole’s absence.
In summary, Nicole Scherzinger’s departure from The Masked Singer was driven by her career expansion into musical theatre, most notably her starring role in Sunset Boulevard on both the West End and Broadway. Combined with other commitments like judging on Building the Band and her global performances, her schedule simply could not accommodate The Masked Singer. While fans missed her presence, her absence allowed Rita Ora to step in, and the possibility of Nicole’s return remains open for future seasons.
