In a thrilling conclusion to season 14 of Fox’s popular television series, *The Masked Singer*, pop star Ashlee Simpson Ross was crowned the winner, taking home the coveted Golden Mask trophy. The finale, broadcast on April 1, featured a nail-biting showdown among contestants including Galaxy Girl, Pugcasso, Cat Witch, and Crane.
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Ashlee, performing under the guise of Galaxy Girl, impressed the judging panel, which included Rita Ora, Jenny McCarthy, Robin Thicke, and Ken Jeong, with her renditions of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” and Pink’s “Try”. The finale culminated with a series of revelations, including a heartfelt moment when Ashlee’s sister, Jessica Simpson, took to the stage to share a clue related to Ashlee’s life, referencing her debut album, *Autobiography*.
Ultimately, Ashlee triumphed over her fellow contestants, with Phillip Phillips, a previous winner of *American Idol*, finishing as the runner-up in his role as Pugcasso. Kylie Cantrall, who performed as Cat Witch, secured third place, while Normani was unveiled as Crane.
In an exclusive interview with *PEOPLE*, Ashlee described her experience on the show, noting her initial surprise at becoming so invested in the competition. “It felt so good. I had no idea that I was going to get so into this competition and so competitive,” she shared. Reflecting on the emotional moment when she was announced as the winner, Ashlee admitted, “I dropped to my knees because I didn’t expect it.”
Having her sister Jessica in attendance during the finale added to the occasion’s significance for Ashlee. “It was amazing to have her there — so exciting,” she said. Ashlee described the rigorous training and rehearsal process for the show, likening it to a “Masked Singer bootcamp” and expressed appreciation for the support from her family, including her daughter.
Interestingly, Ashlee’s husband, Evan Ross, also competed in the season as Stingray but was eliminated in week 10. Despite the competitive atmosphere, Ashlee remained proud of Evan’s performance. “He was amazing. He really had the moves,” she commented. The couple adhered to strict production rules which prohibited them from discussing their performances with one another during the competition.
As the conversation flowed, Ashlee revealed that her mother-in-law, Diana Ross, was closely following the competition via videos sent by Evan. The pop star expressed excitement about the experience, particularly as it was a departure from her usual public persona. “For me, that was so much fun,” she noted. Reflecting on her stage presence, she added, “I think you can tell I’m having the best time of my life doing this show.”
The challenges of performing while masked added a unique layer of excitement to the experience. Ashlee spoke about the necessity of maintaining her appearance, acknowledging that contestants must be “glammed up the whole time,” never knowing when they might be unmasked. “Every episode you get to the next one was like, ‘I made it’,” she said, emphasising the thrill of each new performance.
Ashlee’s victory follows her recent return to the stage, where she headlined a Las Vegas residency and revealed plans to perform at major events such as the Stagecoach Festival and OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride in Los Angeles. “This has felt amazing. Performing is my happy place,” she asserted, highlighting her enthusiasm for re-entering the music scene.
Looking ahead, Ashlee teased fans about new music on the horizon, as well as a desire to branch into acting once again, particularly in musical theatre. “I want to dip my toes back into acting as well,” she said, confirming her intent to continue pursuing her passions in both performing and creating.
As fans continue to celebrate her victory on *The Masked Singer*, Ashlee Simpson Ross is poised to embrace the next chapter of her career with excitement and enthusiasm.