'The Masked Singer' Kicks Off Season 8 With Big Performances and Even Bigger Unmaskings! (Recap)

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is back, with wilder costumes, bolder performances, bigger stars and way more unmaskings than any season before!The hit Fox reality competition mystery series kicked off its eighth season on Tuesday, helmed by host Nick Cannon and overseen by stalwart panelists Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy and Nicole Scherzinger.The show introduced fans to the first four performers of the season — including Harp, Hedgehog, Knight and Hummingbird — as well as the season's surprising new format!

Instead of one star getting revealed and the rest moving on, only one would be getting a chance to sing another day, and the three others would all be taking it off after just one song.Harp was the first singer to take the stage and delivered an appropriately flawless rendition of «Perfect» by Pink that left the judges and the audience stunned.«What a way to open up the show on season eight!

With a legend, obviously,» McCarthy marveled after the jaw-dropping vocal display. «That was out of the park. See you at the finale!»«You were beyond powerful.

You command that stage,» Scherzinger added with emotion in her voice. «I was just in awe. I cannot wait to see who you are.»Up next was Hedgehog, who presented a clue package full of British references before belting out a fun cover of The Beatles' «Love Me Do,» while backed up by a full drum line and marching band for one of the most bombastic numbers of the evening.Speaking with the judges after the number, Hedgehog dropped a big hint at his identity when he revealed he has won both a Tony Award and a GRAMMY.The colorfully costumed Hummingbird hit the stage next, belting out a fun and controlled performance of Gavin DeGraw's «I Don't Want To Be» while joined by a line of feathery pink backup.