Jack Wagner, the actor and former musician best known for his role in *When Calls the Heart*, has been unmasked as the Eggplant on the popular television show *The Masked Singer*. This revelation came during the episode celebrated as “Ozzfest Night”, which paid tribute to the late rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in July 2025.
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The 66-year-old Wagner, who made a significant return to the stage after years largely focused on acting, expressed his excitement about performing in a theatrical context, despite the unusual costume. “It was very theatrical, and not a lot of people know that I’m kind of a thespian,” he shared. His experiences with theatre, including performances on Broadway, helped him feel at ease while donning the quirky eggplant outfit.
Wagner made his initial appearance in the competition during the second week, singing Elton John’s iconic song “Rocket Man”. He returned in week five to perform “American Woman” by Lenny Kravitz, and later showcased his vocal range with Linkin Park’s “One Step Closer” during the special Ozzfest episode. Reflecting on these performances, he noted how fulfilling it was to sing “Rocket Man”, expressing his admiration for Elton John and claiming, “I felt my vocal was pretty good.”
However, not all performances came without their challenges. Wagner acknowledged that tackling a Linkin Park track was outside his usual repertoire. He described the effort he put into that performance, remarking, “I really had to bust my butt.” Despite the difficulties, he decided to let loose and enjoy the experience: “I’m like, ‘Forget it, I’m just going to rock out here and let it be what it is.’”
Although Wagner’s time on *The Masked Singer* came to an end following his Linkin Park performance, he expressed gratitude for being a part of a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, a figure he respected greatly. His connection to the Osbourne family extends to Sharon Osbourne, whom he met through her guest appearance on *The Bold and the Beautiful* and her role on *The Talk*. Wagner recalled their interaction fondly and remarked on how it was nice to honour Ozzy’s legacy within the show.
Ozzfest, created by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne in 1996, has been pivotal in shaping heavy metal music and introducing audiences to numerous bands, including Linkin Park. In a retrospective discussion about Ozzfest, the former Black Sabbath frontman described the event as “bloody chaos — but in the best way,” where every performance was a celebration of music.
As fans and viewers continue to tune into *The Masked Singer*, Wagner’s participation exemplifies the show’s commitment to entertainment and nostalgia, particularly during an episode honouring such a significant musical figure. Audiences can catch new episodes every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on Fox, with options to stream the show on Hulu and through the Disney+ and Hulu bundle.
Though he has exited the competition, Wagner’s journey as the Eggplant has highlighted his musical talents and brought further attention to the cultural impact of Ozzy Osbourne and Ozzfest. The mixing of nostalgia with contemporary entertainment demonstrates the timeless allure of music and performance, resonating with both long-time fans and newer audiences alike.