Keisha Buchanan unveiled as Moth and crowned The Masked Singer 2026 champion
Keisha Buchanan, best known as a founding member of Sugababes, was revealed as Moth and named the winner of The Masked Singer on Saturday night (ET). The 41-year-old singer battled through the final against Conkers and Toastie and delivered a string of powerful performances before lifting the crown.
Moth unmasked: Sugababes star takes the title
The final three—Moth, Toastie and Conkers—each performed with theatrical flair, but it was Moth who left a lasting impression on the panel and the audience. When the final mask came off, Buchanan stepped forward to applause and an emotional reaction from the judges. She spoke candidly about the experience, calling the run “grueling but beautiful. ”
In her post-reveal comments she admitted to stretching beyond her comfort zone, performing material she had steered clear of in the past. “I did a song that I’ve never done, like Whitney, ” she said. “Whitney and Aerosmith were the hardest because I knew her, I never wanted to do her songs because I loved her so much. Aerosmith… it was such a challenge. ”
Wearing the Moth costume through the series, Buchanan used anonymity to experiment with song choices and stagecraft, a freedom she said helped her reconnect with a quieter side of herself. “I think I’m more of an introvert than I am an extrovert, ” she added. “This has… made me a lot more confident, and it’s really brought me out of my shell. ”
Final night: duets, surprises and reactions
Conkers finished as runner-up and was unveiled as television presenter Ben Shephard, a reveal that surprised many given his recent public-facing roles. Toastie took third place and was revealed to be soul singer Mica Paris. The three finalists each delivered distinct sets: Moth showcased wide-ranging vocal choices from contemporary pop to classic rock ballads, Toastie leaned into soulful phrasing, and Conkers opted for crowd-pleasing anthems.
The final also brought back former masked performers for duet spots, with last season’s faces and a number of guest singers joining the stage for one-off numbers. Those reunion moments provided both spectacle and a reminder of how the conceit of the show lets established artists and TV personalities explore different performance modes without preconception.
Panelists and guest judges were visibly moved by the night’s unmaskings. One panellist observed that the anonymity allowed performers to take risks they might not attempt under their own names, a point reflected in the varied set lists chosen across the series. Audience reaction in the studio was warm and enthusiastic as Buchanan accepted the trophy and reflected on the journey that took her from behind the mask to the winner’s podium.
Legacy and next steps
Buchanan’s victory will likely prompt renewed interest in her back catalogue and solo work, and it underlined the enduring appeal of the artists behind the masks. For Shephard and Paris, the show offered a different kind of spotlight—one that emphasised performance over persona. For viewers, the finale capped eight weeks of guessing games, elaborate costumes and vocal showcases that repeatedly confounded expectations.
As the series closes, the show’s mix of anonymity, theatre and pop performance continues to prove a potent formula: it celebrates vocal talent, invites playful speculation and gives established performers a rare chance to surprise both themselves and the audience. Buchanan’s decision to push her own boundaries—tackling songs she found intimidating—proved decisive in a finale that prized risk and reinvention.
