keisha buchanan unmasked as Moth and crowned winner of The Masked Singer
On Sunday night (Feb. 15, 2026 ET) the glittering finale of The Masked Singer ended with a surprise reveal: Moth was unmasked to be keisha buchanan, the founding singer of the Sugababes, who took the trophy after a series of dramatic performances. The final three — Moth, Toastie and Conkers — delivered show-stopping numbers before the panel and audience learned their true identities.
Moth’s final flight: the winning performances
Buchanan closed out the run with a sequence of bold choices that clearly impressed the studio and at-home voters. In the final, she tackled material she described as daunting: a Whitney Houston song she had never performed live and a high-octane Aerosmith track that pushed her beyond familiar territory. Buchanan later called the experience “grueling but beautiful, ” saying the Whitney piece was especially emotional because of her admiration for the late singer, and that the Aerosmith number tested her rhythm and rap instincts in unexpected ways.
Her masked performances through the series blended vocal craft with theatrical flair, and the costume's jewel-toned design and expressive choreography helped keep viewers engaged until the moment of revelation. The panel’s guesses ranged widely during the show’s run, and the final unmasking produced an emotional reaction from fellow panellist Maya Jama, who exclaimed her relief and delight when Buchanan stepped out of the wings.
Finalists, judges and the night’s other reveals
The runner-up, Conkers, was unmasked as television presenter Ben Shephard, while Toastie finished third and was revealed to be soul singer and broadcaster Mica Paris. The sequence of unmaskings prompted a mix of astonishment and laughter from the judging table: Jonathan Ross, who had offered an incorrect high-profile guess at one point, appeared visibly surprised by the final outcome.
Guest judge Samantha Barks joined the regular panel and helped adjudicate the finale, which also featured the return of former masked contestants for special duet spots. Past characters reappeared to sing with the finalists, turning the closing show into a nostalgic display of the series’ most memorable performances as much as a competition.
What the win means for Buchanan
For keisha buchanan, the victory represents a high-profile moment of recognition and a reminder of her lasting presence in pop music. The Masked Singer’s conceit — placing established performers behind elaborate costumes — gave Buchanan the chance to reconnect with audiences in a novel way, allowing her voice to lead the conversation before her identity shaped the headline.
Her win also underscores how celebrity competition formats can create fresh narratives for familiar artists, offering both challenge and reinvention. Buchanan’s choice of songs and willingness to tackle unfamiliar material earned praise from viewers and the panel alike, and the emotional payoff at unmasking capped a series that balanced spectacle with sincere vocal moments.
As the confetti settled, Buchanan reflected on the journey: the secrecy, the pressure of hiding in plain sight and the satisfaction of proving herself in a different kind of musical arena. For fans, the finale delivered both surprise and celebration — and for Buchanan, it marked a triumphant return to the spotlight in a broadcast-ready metamorphosis.
