Rita Ora on filling some 'very high heels' on “The Masked Singer” and whether Taika Waititi would do the show

"I definitely have no filter," the singer tells EW, teasing what to expect from her stint on the season 11 panel as she fills in for Nicole Scherzinger.

When it comes to stepping in for Nicole Scherzinger as a panelist on the forthcoming 11th season of The Masked Singer, Rita Ora knows she has some "very high heels" to fill.

Luckily, the British singer-songwriter and actress is no stranger to the bonkers show, having been a panelist for five seasons of the U.K. version of The Masked Singer. So when Scherzinger stepped away to star on London's West End, it was a no-brainer for Ora to join the American version in her place. "I was so excited," she tells EW. "I just felt like a hundred percent [yes], because I already knew the show so well, and I just love it and I love the excitement of it."

When season 11 debuts on March 6, fans can expect a rousing introduction to Ora, who kicks off the premiere episode with a fireworks-bedazzled performance before slotting right in with the other panelists — Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong, and Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg — like she'd been there all along.

It marks the first time the Fox reality competition is debuting a new panelist since its inception, and ahead of the milestone, EW caught up with Ora to tease what fans can expect from her stint on the show — from her wild guesses to favorite moments to whether or not husband Taika Waititi will pull a Donnie Wahlberg and make a surprise appearance.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What was your reaction to getting asked to do the American version of The Masked Singer?

RITA ORA: Well, of course I was familiar by doing the U.K. show for about five seasons, and when they asked me to do this one, I was so excited. I just felt like a hundred percent [yes] because I already knew the show so well, and I just love it and I love the excitement of it. It's just so crazy and it's like a huge game show, and such a great family show. You can't really go wrong. I mean, you may look crazy with the names you [guess], but who cares? Because the whole show is a bit bonkers anyway, so it doesn't feel like work at all.

Would you or have you considered doing the show as a contestant and not a panelist?

I think that might be a conflict now because I feel like I know too much. I know the tricks, I know everything. I think it might not be fair. [Laughs]

Do you feel like you were better or worse at guessing in the American version versus the U.K. version?

I think that I was the same. I think that for me, I shoot for the stars. If I think it, I'm just going to say it. I think that's why I love being on the show. I definitely have no filter and some people may be like, What? But I'm like, 'Who cares?' I'm going to go for it and I'm here to try and win. I like the idea of potentially being a new panelist and winning. That's cool. But there's incredible detectives on that show. Jenny is just amazing. She's so on it. There's not one thing she doesn't see. I definitely am learning from her a lot.

Were there any particularly bad guesses that you're going to be embarrassed about whenever they air?

No, but then again, yes... Because again, being the new one, I just kind of throw names around and they're like, "Ah, she's new." And I'm like, yeah, but I'm not that new because I've already had experience. I'd like to think I know a couple of voices, too, when I hear them as a musician and as a singer. I close my eyes and I really listen to the vocals.

Which panelist did you bond with the quickest?

Well, I've known Ken from when we did the first season in the UK. He was a judge on that and we stayed in touch and he's been super supportive. And Robin and I met throughout the music business, but Jenny was actually new [to me]. And I'd like to think Jenny and I have such a great kind of connection, the two girls in the panel, but because I'm sitting right next to Ken and I've already known him, I'm definitely more familiar with Ken.

Speaking of Jenny, her husband Donnie Wahlberg famously surprised us all by being on the show as Cluedle-Doo. Could we expect any appearances from your husband, Taika Waititi?

Well, Donnie can sing. So there's that. Taika likes to think he can sing. Actually, no. You know what? He can. He's actually an amazing guitar player and he loves music. I don't know if he'd do the show though. I don't think he'd be able to survive in that costume for too long.

He'd be one of the ones to take it off mid-show, like Mickey Rourke.

Right. Yeah, exactly.

Did you get a chance to connect with Nicole about the show?

Not really. I think she was very busy on Broadway and on West End. That's a lot of work and a lot of shows per night. But we've crossed paths in the past through the industry, and it's been always nothing but love, and so it's been amazing to be able to fill her very high heels.

One thing we know and love Nicole for is her crying — are you going to step into her high heels with regards to that as well?

I think so, 100%. Actually I was just saying this as well. It's actually surprisingly emotional [on the show]. There are some incredible song choices, and these singers are crazy and good, so you can't help but feel moved.

What was your favorite moment from season 11?

I think for me it was the reveals, honestly. And seeing and learning to love these characters and understanding their story, the more they get into the show and hearing the voices. Some of these singers are crazy good, and you're like, how is this even real? So you tend to genuinely start wanting these characters to win. You're like, I can't believe I want this beetroot or whatever it is to win.

Can we expect to see more of you beyond season 11, should it get picked up for more seasons?

I would love [that]. I've had such a great experience, and yeah, who knows? I'm really grateful that they have me on the show. I love it. It's so fun. And [I want people to] try and watch the opening because our group singalong is awesome. So I hope everybody checks that out.

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related content:

• The Masked Singer season 11: Here's everything you need to know

• Meet The Masked Singer season 11 costumes, from Lovebird to Ugly Sweater

• Masked Singer teases bonkers season 11 costumes and another celebrity unexpectedly revealing themself

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.