Harp is a masked celebrity on the eighth US season of The Masked Singer.
Appearance[]
The Harp is a completely gold costume, with her wearing an elegant, long, sleeveless dress. The headpiece of the mask is a measure of music over a dark, golden faceplate. The costume also has a giant, golden harp attached to her back (although in her 4th and 5th performances, she removes the harp mid performance.)
Songs[]
| Week | Song Selection | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Perfect" by P!nk | WIN |
| 2 | "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston | WIN |
| 3 | "Thank You for Being a Friend" - The Golden Girls theme song | ADV |
| 8 | "About Damn Time" by Lizzo | SAFE |
| 9 | "The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga | WINNER |
| "Gravity" by John Mayer | ||
| Christmas | "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole | CHRISTMAS |
Battle Royale[]
| Week | VS | Song Selection |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Panther | "Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf |
| 3 | Fortune Teller | "Everywhere You Look" - Full House theme song |
| 8 | Lambs | "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson |
| Snowstorm |
Clues[]
| Week | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 | "I can't believe I'm here on premiere night. But I am telling you, life does have a funny way of putting you exactly where you need to be. When I was a teenager, I auditioned for the biggest show in the world. It was my dream, but I didn't fit the mold and was turned down. I was devastated, but I knew I had to keep going. It was my uniqueness that later landed me the opportunity of a lifetime and became an idol for anyone who felt like an outsider. The 'no's' in my life made me stronger, but I won't be taking 'no' for an answer tonight." |
| 2 | "It feels incredible to be crowned the first queen of season eight. But I'm up against two new singers tonight and I have to crush this performance if I want to keep this crown atop my head. I've been labeled competitive my whole life. But I don't see that as a bad thing. It means you worked hard to be the best and I'm bringing that energy to the stage tonight. Now quickly because I'm always on time, I'm gonna give you my new subjects a new clue." |
| 3 | “From the start, I knew that king of the jungle was after my crown. But I wasn’t going to go out without a fight. This queen lives to fight another day. But heavy is the head that wears the crown. And between me and you, it can be pretty nerve wracking knowing I have to go back into battle again. So, this week I’m trying to remind myself to have a little fun, live in the moment and just enjoy my reign. So, my royal decree, I give you my next delicious clue.” |
| 8 | “I’m really excited about making the semi-finals and I really want to win. I’m so grateful to be here because I’ve always been a fan of the show. Me and my family and friends always watch it, and it’s been very hard not saying anything. Now my sisters don’t know, my dad doesn’t know, my friends don’t know. My man doesn’t know. He thinks I’m filming a movie. My mom is the only person that I’ve told. My mom and myself are very alike. She was a singer just like me, she’s like my rock. If I had a handful of people who believed in me the way my mom believes in me, I know that I can soar so far. That woman thinks I can do anything. I want to win this for her. Thank you, mom, for being such a great example in my life and being my best friend.” |
| 9 | “Becoming the Harp has been unlike anything else I have experienced as an artist. When I step into this costume, I am transformed. I feel regal. Elegant. And totally weightless. Which is ironic because this thing is no joke to cart around. But really, it’s freeing. Being under the mask has allowed be to separate from former jobs, my name, what people expect from me, and prove myself with just my voice. I’ll always be the Harp.” |
| “When I started this journey, I had no idea just how much this competition would mean to me. I’ve spent years in an industry that doesn’t necessarily celebrate who I am all the time. In Hollywood, you can be overlooked based on a more shallow viewpoint. But being able to be the Harp and step out and show my talent alone has been absolutely amazing. This opportunity has allowed me to reintroduce myself to the world on my own terms. And hearing the panel’s words of encouragement week after week has reminded me that I am more than enough. I want to win it not just for myself, but for all the girls who have felt less than perfect. Do not underestimate us.” |
| First Episode Clue | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What accomplishment are you most proud of? | "I think maybe the award I won for my acting. No, no, no. Actually, the one I won for my singing. Wait, no, no, no. It's probably the one for my comedy because I got to share that with my besties." |
| Week | New Clue |
|---|---|
| 2 | CD labled, "Night Night" |
| 3 | Christmas cupcake |
| 8 | Photo of Oprah Winfrey |
| 9 | Mercedes-Benz sportscar |
Final Guesses[]
| Week | Robin's Guess | Jenny's Guess | Ken's Guess | Nicole's Guess |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Yvette Nicole Brown | Jordin Sparks | Jennifer Hudson | Amber Riley |
Trivia[]
- The mask was first teased in a preview on August 15, 2022[1] before officially being revealed on September 12, 2022.[2]
- Harp is the only Queen/King to make it through all three rounds, eliminating 7 opponents in the process.
- When Harp was crowned the winner, a snippet from her first performance was played.
- Harp is the second cast member from Glee to appear on the show, following Cheyenne Jackson as Prince in Season 7.
- Harp is the first former Glee cast member to win the American season.
- She is also the second person to have played Effie in a production of Dreamgirls, following Jennifer Holliday as Miss Teddy.
- Amber previously sang "Edge of Glory" as her character Mercedes Jones in the third season Glee episode "Nationals".
- Amber competed and won the seventeenth season of Dancing with the Stars with Bill Nye (Ice Cube).
- Amber's fellow Glee star Heather Morris competed the second season of The Masked Dancer UK as Scissors. Ken Jeong did a 2-episode guest stint on Glee's sixth season as the father of Heather's character, Brittany. Coincidentally, Amber and Heather won their respective seasons.
- Jenny previously guessed Amber to be the Black Widow in Season 2.
- She also guessed Harp to be Jordin Sparks, who was Exotic Bird on The Masked Dancer.
- Harp is the second winner to open and close the season, with the first being the Sun.
- Harp is the first winner to sing a song that has already been sung.
- Harp is the first winner to hold the Golden Mask Trophy when performing unmasked.
- Amber Riley competed again on the fourth season of British version of the show, where she was eventually unmasked as the Jellyfish.
- This makes her the third American contestant to be on another show, following Alien, who was Menina on the Spain version, Butterfly, who was both the Rockhopper on the British show, and Microphone on the Australian version, and later being followed by Unicorn, who was Arlequin on the Spain version, and Jackalope, who was Pulpo prior to being on the show.
- Robin guessed the Harp to be Yvette Nicole Brown, who was previously a guest panelist in Season 3, and later appeared on Season 12 as the Showbird.
Videos[]
The Clues- Harp - Season 8 Ep. 1 - THE MASKED SINGER
The Clues- Harp - Season 8 Ep. 2 - THE MASKED SINGER-2
The Clues- Harp - Season 8 Ep. 3 - THE MASKED SINGER-2
Harp sings “Perfect” by P!nk - THE MASKED SINGER - SEASON 8
Harp sings “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston - THE MASKED SINGER - SEASON 8
Panther & Harp sing “Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf - THE MASKED SINGER - SEASON 8
Harp sings “Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf - THE MASKED SINGER - SEASON 8
Harp sings “Thank You For Being A Friend” from The Golden Girls - THE MASKED - SEASON 8
Fortune Teller & Harp sing “Everywhere You Look” from Full House - THE MASKED SINGER - SEASON 8
Harp sings “Everywhere You Look” from Full House - THE MASKED SINGER - SEASON 8
Harp sings “About Damn Time” by Lizzo - THE MASKED SINGER - SEASON 8
Snowstorm, Harp & Lambs sing “Since U Been Gone” By Kelly Clarkson - THE MASKED SINGER - SEASON 8
Harp sings “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson - THE MASKED SINGER - SEASON 8
Harp sings “The Edge Of Glory” by Lady Gaga - THE MASKED SINGER - SEASON 8
Harp sings “Gravity” by John Mayer - THE MASKED SINGER - SEASON 8
The Reveal- Harp - Amber Riley - Season 8 FINALE - THE MASKED SINGER
Unmasked Interview- Harp - Amber Riley - Season 8 FINALE - THE MASKED SINGER
Gallery[]
Harp’s Title Card
Harp’s Clue Intro
Harp’s Concept Art