Three-time Olympic gold medalist shines as first winner of 'Masked Dancer'

The season finale of The Masked Dancer took place Wednesday night as the inaugural season came down to the Tulip, the Sloth and the Cotton Candy. Three finalists, which meant three unmaskings!

While some were surprised that the Tulip came in third place, they weren't so surprised that she ended up being former Dance Moms star, and younger sister of Maddie Ziegler, Mackenzie Ziegler, whose own career has now bloomed. And from one reality dance star to one that has danced with the stars, second place went to the Sloth, who was Dancing With the Stars pro Maks Chmerkovskiy, which meant that the Cotton Candy is the winner of The Masked Dancer and the coveted diamond mask trophy. So, who was the celebrity underneath the Cotton Candy mask? It was none other than three-time Olympic gold medalist, Gabby Douglas, also known as the flying squirrel.

The finale kicked off with host Craig Robinson crooning “Time of My Life” alongside the three finalists, but it was Gabby who really seemed to be having the time of her life, as she seemed delighted to add the coveted Diamond Mask to her trophy case, next to all those gold and silver medals. “This experience has been so, so amazing. I thank everyone so much and I love everyone so much,” she said. “It was my first time performing and not being judged. I had so much fun, and I'm so grateful and so honored.”

Video Transcript

[MUSIC -"(I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE"]

CRAIG ROBINSON (SINGING): I've had the time of my life. And I've never felt this way before. Yes, I swear it's the truth--

- The moment we've all been waiting for, this season finale of The Masked Dancer. The inaugural season came down to the tulip, the sloth, and cotton candy. Three finalists, which meant three unmaskings. While some were surprised that the tulip came in third place.

[CHEERING]

- They weren't so surprised that she ended up being former Dance Mom star and younger sister of Maddie Ziegler, Mackenzie Ziegler-- whose own career has now ballooned.

MACKENZIE ZIEGLER: I've gained more confidence for sure. I really just wanted everyone to just love her at home. And be someone that they could look up to.

- And from one reality dance star to one that has danced with the Stars, second place went to the sloth who was--

[CHEERING]

CRAIG ROBINSON: World renowned dancer and Dancing With the Stars champion, Maksim Chmerkowskiy. - Which meant that the cotton candy is the winner of the Masked Dancer and the Diamond Mask trophy. After a performance like this--

[MUSIC - "THIS IS ME"]

WOMAN (SINGING): I am brave. I am bruised. I am who I'm meant to be. This is me.

- It's no wonder the cotton candy ended up being a three time Olympic gold medalist.

[CHEERING]

CRAIG ROBINSON: Gabby Douglas! Motivational speaker, author, and three-time, Olympic, gold medal winning gymnast, Gabby Douglas.

- While it would have been awesome if she had been a flying squirrel, her disguise as the cotton candy was actually perfect because the gymnasts win was oh so sweet.

CRAIG ROBINSON: Was it as easy to tumble in a costume?

GABBY DOUGLAS: It's my job to make it look super light, but I've never done anything like this before. I've never trained with a mask on. It was a first time performing and not being judged. I had so much fun, and I'm so grateful and so honored.