Ashlee Simpson-Ross was crowned the winner of Season 14 of The Masked Singer on Wednesday, April 1, on FOX, performing as ‘Galaxy Girl.’ The season featured a diverse group of celebrities including David “Big Papi” Ortiz, Todd and Julie Chrisley, Tiffany Haddish, Alexi Lalas, Greg Mathis, Heidi Montag, and Tara P. Henson.

Galaxy Girl's Journey to Victory

Galaxy Girl consistently impressed the judges and audience throughout the competition. She described her strategy as simply “having fun.” Early clues revealed she was a child star who had kept her singing a secret, and that “perfection” wasn’t her focus.

Standout Performances

Her performance of No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak” was praised by Rita Ora as “raw, rock & roll, gritty, sexy and fun.” She continued to shine with a powerful rendition of Ellie Goulding’s “Burn,” even dancing with joy as Ken Jeong agreed with Jennie McCarthy-Wahlberg that she was a front-runner.

Throughout the season, guesses about her identity included Emma Stone, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Lindsay Lohan, Taylor Momsen, and Hilary Duff. She also delivered a high-energy performance of Paramore’s “Misery Business” leading up to the finale.

The Finale and Reveal

On Wednesday night’s finale, Galaxy Girl secured her win with fiery performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” and P!nk’s “Try,” beating out runner-up Pugcasso, Crane, and Cat Witch. The reveal confirmed Ashlee Simpson-Ross as the intergalactic star behind the mask.

Inspired by the Experience

Simpson-Ross spoke to Billboard before the finale, revealing that her run on the show had inspired new music. She initially wanted to surprise her children, but her daughter quickly discovered her rehearsals and was let in on the secret.

Rediscovering the Joy of Performance

“Being under a mask, getting to find your character and learn different songs … this show was so hard and so much fun,” Simpson-Ross shared. She noted the physical challenges of the costume, admitting her knees were often bruised from performing.

She described the experience of performing without direct audience contact as a new and exciting challenge. “It was such a different experience…that was my first moment of coming out onstage and not being able to have eye contact with the audience.”

Looking Ahead

Simpson-Ross stated that the show reignited her passion for performing and led to plans for a new album and tour. She also expressed interest in exploring acting and returning to Broadway. She is scheduled to perform at L.A. Pride and Stagecoach, with the latter being a DJ set with Diplo.

While her husband, Evan Ross, also appeared on the show, Simpson-Ross emphasized that their competition was friendly. They largely kept their experiences separate, occasionally sharing rehearsal stories and offering encouragement.