The recent finalist of the TV show Mask, Alexei Vorobyov, opened up about the creative trickery behind hiding his identity inside the Beast costume. Speaking with Socialbites, he explained that he deliberately softened his natural voice, letting a deliberate rasp carry the performance while he chose a piece that could be delivered with that disguise. He confessed that he settled on a song that allowed him to imply a different vocal character and still connect emotionally with the audience. The moment when the song began, he says, felt like stepping into a different persona, a careful ruse that lasted through the performance. He recalled that Garik Sukachev’s voice in the original track had its own distinctive edge, and the challenge was to replicate the mood without exposing his own timbre too early in the broadcast.
“I tried to sing as if I had never sung before”, Vorobyov shared. He also noted that selecting the right material was essential, a choice guided by how the Beast costume altered perception and how the audience would receive the performance. After watching the aired episode, he observed a moment when the host asked Valeria if the one under the mask might be Vorobyov, and Valeria replied with encouragement, saying that the performer could indeed pull it off. That exchange, he believes, hinted that viewers and judges were already beginning to recognize the performer behind the mask, even if the specific identity remained concealed to the public.
The actor also described a shift in his interactions with the judging panel, leaning into humor and playfulness rather than a conventional presentation.
“Thanks to the Monstrik monologues, I managed to mislead the jury”, Vorobyov explained. He noted that the judges briefly debated whether the Beast could be a masked professional comedian or a participant from a team sport show, a mix of clues that kept everyone guessing and added to the show’s suspense. The strategy was not simply about singing; it involved timing, persona management, and a sense of timing that could surprise the panel when the truth was finally revealed.
In its third season, The Mask showcased a memorable lineup, with the Dragon costume worn by Ildar Abdrazakov delivering a powerful performance that earned him the top spot. Maria Zaitseva, known for leading the duo #2Masha, appeared in the image of Anubis and secured second place, highlighting the series’ blend of opera-caliber singing and pop performances. The season culminated in a display of vocal versatility and stagecraft that kept audiences engaged across multiple episodes and twists.
Vorobyov’s experience emphasizes how contestants balance vocal craft, character work, and strategic concealment to create a moment that resonates with viewers, often blurring the lines between performer identity and character. The Beast costume, with its imposing presence, provided a platform where voice, gesture, and stage movement could be carefully choreographed to maintain mystery while delivering a memorable performance. The interplay between performance choices and audience expectations remains a central dynamic of the show, contributing to ongoing conversations about how identity is perceived on reality competition stages.
Overall, the season demonstrated that successful masking depends not only on vocal technique but also on how a performer embodies the character, uses humour, and leverages audience myths about who might be behind the mask. The combination of strategic song selection, vocal concealment, and bold stage presence continues to define Mask as a program where revelation and misdirection go hand in hand, offering viewers both suspense and appreciation for the artistry involved.