- - Who is Calla Lilly on 'Masked Singer'? Inside the emotional reveal

Anna Kaufman, USA TODAYFebruary 5, 2026 at 11:04 PM

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Viewers of "The Masked Singer" witnessed an emotional farewell Wednesday night, as one of the disguised contestants bid adieu.

Despite a rousing performance of "Jack & Diane," a 1982 rock anthem by John Cougar Mellencamp, Calla Lilly was voted off − allowing her to reveal her identity. The contestant, dressed in her signature white getup, had revealed earlier in the season that she struggled with a health diagnosis but her children inspired her to face her fears.

Other hints given throughout the show's airing included that she was related to an American music icon, whom she had been distant from for some years before coming back together. Only one of the four judges guessed her true identity correctly: Teddi Mellencamp, the "Real Housewives" star and daughter of John Mellencamp.

Calla Lily as Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave in the "Red, White and Clue" episode of "The Masked Singer" on Feb. 4, 2026.

"This is Teddi Mellencamp from the 'Housewives,'" judge Jenny McCarthy said, hitting the nail on the head. "I feel so honored to have you here." The rest of the judges floundered with Rita Ora guessing Selma Blair, Ken Jeong putting his money on Christina Applegate and Robin Thicke going with Danielle Fishel.

In the end, though, it was Mellencamp who took off her mask. The reality star, 44, has been open about her battle with brain cancer.

Kyle Richards details 'best call' about Teddi Mellencamp being cancer-free

"I'm not a singer by trade, clearly, and so that part was challenging for me," she said. "Also, a big part of my memory has been askew since my brain surgery. So I was a little bit nervous, but I was excited to push myself out of my comfort zone and try something new, and it felt like it gave me a little bit of life."

In 2022, Mellencamp revealed she was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma, and by 2025, the cancer had metastasized to her lungs and brain. In October, however, the former "Housewives" star said there was "no detectable cancer" in her body, but she'll remain "on immunotherapy for another year" and is "not considered in remission or anything like that."

Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Masked Singer' elimination – Emotional farewell to Calla Lilly

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