Linda Mtoba has been revealed as the celebrity behind Lady Monster on The Masked Singer South Africa Season 3, leaving both the show’s celebrity detectives and viewers stunned after successfully hiding her identity.
The beloved actress, fashion icon and media personality was unmasked during the second episode of the new season after delivering a lively performance of HUNTR/X’s hit song Golden. Despite carefully analysing every clue, detectives Somizi Mhlongo, J’Something, Sithelo Shozi and Skhumba failed to guess that it was Mtoba beneath the colourful Lady Monster costume.
The episode introduced four new masked contestants – Lady Monster, Spotty, Mosquito and King Pie – who battled it out in a series of musical performances for a chance to remain in the competition.
Lady Monster’s clue package was filled with colourful sweets and candyfloss as she hinted that she rose to fame during the year Pokémon Go took the world by storm.
“I started to become famous in the year Pokémon Go became a craze,” she said, prompting J’Something to quickly note that the global phenomenon took off in 2016.
Another clue saw her preparing a mysterious brew while reading a comic book before revealing: “I never follow recipes and don’t believe in comic-book saviours. Real life already demands enough belief.”
The detectives eagerly pieced together the clues, but their guesses ranged from Mampho Brescia and Busiswa Gqulu to Brenda Ngxoli and Thembi Seete.
J’Something suspected Lady Monster was not a professional singer, while Sithelo – ironically one of Mtoba’s close friends – believed the mystery celebrity was someone deeply devoted to family and particularly proud of her daughter.
When asked what career she would have pursued if she were not famous, Lady Monster joked: “I would have wanted to be a Dr Pimple Popper.”
Despite impressing the audience with her performance, Lady Monster found herself in the danger zone alongside Spotty after King Pie emerged victorious in their face-off. Following the combined votes from the studio audience and the detective panel, Spotty was saved, meaning Lady Monster had to remove her mask.
The reveal left the panel speechless.
Sithelo immediately recognised her friend and excitedly exclaimed: “It’s Beanie! Her daughter is Beanie!”
The emotional moment also gave Skhumba the perfect opportunity to tease Sithelo after she had laughed at him the previous week for failing to recognise fellow entertainer Trevor Gumbi.
“The wheels have turned!” Skhumba joked.
Speaking to host Mpho Popps after her reveal, Mtoba admitted she decided to take part because her daughter, affectionately known as Beanie, is one of the show’s biggest fans.
She joked that she expects to be teased by Beanie and the rest of her family for quite some time after her elimination.
Mtoba first became a household name after landing the role of Zama Ngwenya on Isibaya in 2016. Since then, she has established herself as one of South Africa’s most recognisable actresses and style stars, earning a loyal fan base through her television work, fashion influence and social media presence.
Season 3 of The Masked Singer South Africa is produced by Rose and Oaks Media for Primedia Studios and is sponsored by Andolex, King Pie and Mentos. The show airs on SABC 2 every Saturday at 7pm, with repeat broadcasts on SABC 1 on Thursdays at 9pm and on SABC 2 on Fridays at 1:30pm.
