WARNING! THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS POSSIBLE SPOILERS ABOUT THE MASKED SINGER SEASON 13!The Masked Singer season 13 contestant Nessy has now advanced to the Lucky 6, and his clues seem to prove that he might be singer Edwin McCain. Throughout The Masked Singer season 13 so far, Nessy has amazed everyone with his spectacular performances, including “Roxanne” by The Police (Carnival Night), “Tearin’ Up My Heart” by *NSYNC (Boy Band Night), and “Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon (Decades Night). During the Group C finals on Decades Night, Nessy won the Battle Royale versus Yorkie, during which they both sang phenomenal versions of “Hard to Handle” by Otis Redding.

Throughout The Masked Singer season 13 so far, the panelists have had many great guesses for Nessy’s identity. They include Gene Simmons, Dave Matthews, and Justin Hawkins (Rita); Dan Reynolds and Darius Rucker (Jenny); Daryl Hall (Ken and Robin); and Pat Monahan (Ken). All of these music stars would be mind-blowing additions to The Masked Singer. However, the panelists haven’t thought of the one person that the clues actually point to the most: legendary singer Edwin McCain.

1 There Were Many References To Nessy’s Music

Nessy Is A Famous Singer Who’s Known For His Love Songs

During his debut on The Masked Singer season 13 Group C premiere on Carnival Night, Nessy revealed that some would call him a legend. Edwin is a music legend, and there were many clues that referenced his albums and songs. Nessy was also seen holding an acoustic guitar during Boy Band Night and playing a guitar on Decades Night, and Edwin is a guitarist.

During Boy Band Night, Nessy revealed that, just like boy bands, he’s known for his love songs. Edwin is best known for his iconic love songs, “I’ll Be” (1998) and “I Could Not Ask For More” (1999). During Carnival Night, pink lips referred to his 2007 song, “The Kiss.” Another clue from Nessy’s Carnival Night clue package was a radio with a gold star on it, which referred to Edwin’s 2001 single, “Radio Star.” He also has two certified-gold albums, Misguided Roses (1997) and Messenger (1999). In his debut clue package, Nessy also shined a red horseshoe, which represented his 2025 album, Lucky.

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During Boy Band Night, Nessy was shown holding a box of popcorn, which referenced Edwin’s song, “Popcorn Box” (2003). On Decades Night, a buzzing bumblebee represented “I’ll Be.” In addition, he said that he’s known for his love songs, so Valentine’s Day is practically his Super Bowl. He then threw a bouquet of red roses, which represented his 1997 album, Misguided Roses, which includes “I’ll Be.”

During Decades Night, two more clues were revealed that represented Nessy’s songs. A treadmill referred to Edwin’s 2010 single, “Walk With You.” He was also shown holding a figurine of a snowman with a red hat and scarf. This was a nod to his 2019 Christmas album, Merry Christmas, Baby, as well as his 2016 song, “Christmas Chihuahua.”

Nessy Is Known For His Love Songs

During Boy Band Night, a poster of Nessy was shown that said, “Top 5 songs on TV.” It seemed to be a small clue, but it actually confirmed that Nessy was Edwin. It referred to the fact that Edwin’s hit song, “I’ll Be,” was featured in the season finale of Dawson’s Creek season 1 titled, “Decisions.” That episode gave the song a lot more publicity when it was featured in the pivotal scene in which Dawson (James Van Der Beek) chased after Joey (Katie Holmes) after she saw him and Jen (Michelle Williams) together.

Interestingly, Dawson himself, James Van Der Beek, was also a Masked Singer season 13 contestant. He competed in Group B as Griffin, and made it to the finals before being unmasked. It’s fun that Nessy also has a Dawson’s Creek connection because he’s most likely Edwin.

3 Nessy Is An Older Singer

Nessy Mentioned His AARP Card

During Boy Band Night, Nessy made a very telling joke that helped to give away his identity. When Ken said that Nessy was timeless, Nessy responded that he was pretty sure that he dropped his AARP card in the bottom of his costume while dancing. Edwin was born on January 20, 1970, which makes him 55 years old, although he was 54 when The Masked Singer season 13 filmed. This is why he referenced AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), an organization that advocates for people aged 50 and older.

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Another sign that Nessy is an older singer is because, during Decades Night, he transported viewers back to the 1980s, reminding them about the decade’s mullets, MTV, and camcorders. He reminisced that, back then, a person would blast a love song from a boombox outside their crush’s bedroom window just to let them know how they felt. Nessy then revealed that he had firsthand experience growing up in the ’80s, and that his favorite band was REO Speedwagon. Edwin was a child and a teen in the ’80s, so it makes sense that he’s Nessy.

4 Nessy Values His Privacy

Nessy Took Time Off To Be With His Family

During Carnival Night, Nessy revealed in his clue package that he sticks his neck out for the people he loves, and he’s a little bit mysterious. A clue referenced the legend of the elusive Loch Ness Monster by showing newspaper headlines about conspiracy theories being exposed and Nessy being spotted. However, Nessy explained that he wants to be mysterious because it allows him to live the best of both worlds. He gets the glory, but also the solitude with his family. Nessy added that he’s coming out of hiding for The Masked Singer.

Nessy went on to say that he’s a pretty private guy, so, unless people venture deep into the acres of his estate, they might never catch a glimpse of him. He shared that most of his neighbors, and even his mailman, don’t realize that he’s the guy with all the success. Nessy also shared that he took a lot of time off to be with his family, but it felt good to be back in the limelight. Edwin took a lot of time off to be with his family, including his wife and three children.

Nessy Also Competed In A Celebrity Golf Tournament With The Legendary Boy Band

Although Robin and Ken were initially convinced that Nessy was Daryl Hall, he revealed on Boy Band Night that his contemporaries were boy bands such as *NSYNC, which would mean that he was popular in the late ’90s and early ’00s. This would rule out Daryl and some of the panelists’ other guesses, such as Gene Simmons, but Edwin makes perfect sense.

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In his Boy Band Night clue package, Nessy revealed that, back in the height of the boy band days, music was so competitive. He was fighting boy bands for TRL spots, the charts, and CD sales, and *NSYNC in particular kept getting in his way. He said that they were always neck-and-neck, and it tore up his heart when they constantly came out on top. Edwin and *NSYNC were both featured on TRL at the same time.

Nessy then revealed that he faced off with *NSYNC at a celebrity golf tournament, where he thought that he’d win, but he played the worst game of his life. However, he was still happy to pay tribute to them by singing their song, “Tearin’ Up My Heart,” on Boy Band Night.

6 Nessy Has Opened For REO Speedwagon

Nessy Loves The Iconic Band

Custom image by Cesar Garcia

During The Masked Singer season 13 Decades Night, Nessy revealed that he loved to listen to REO Speedwagon in the ’80s, and he even sang their classic hit, “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” during the competition. He also shared that he even had the opportunity to open for them. Edwin has opened for REO Speedwagon. Nessy also gushed that their music taught him how to put lyrics to the feelings of love, which was something that he became known for in his own career. This was another reference to Edwin being known for singing love songs.

Nessy also shared that many couples have walked down the aisle to his song, but when it came time for him to get married, there was one band that made the playlist: REO Speedwagon. This was another reference to Edwin’s love for the group. It’s exciting that Nessy had the chance to perform a song from his favorite group during The Masked Singer season 13 Decades Night.

7 Justin Bieber & Charlie Puth Have Covered Nessy’s Song

They Introduced Nessy’s Music To A New Generation

During Decades Night, a major clue about Nessy was revealed, which was a boombox with a cassette tape that said, “Bieber & Puth.” Nessy explained that Justin Bieber and Charlie Puth famously covered his music, and he scored some cool dad points because of it. Justin covered Edwin’s hit song, “I’ll Be,” on his YouTube channel and the radio show, Kidd Kraddick in the Morning, while Charlie has also covered the song. These covers introduced “I’ll Be” to a whole new generation.

8 Nessy Has A Connection To Bret Michaels

Nessy Has Performed With The Rock Legend & Masked Singer Alum

During Decades Night, Lucky Duck returned to reveal an exclusive clue about Nessy from Bret Michaels, The Masked Singer season 3’s Banana. Bret shared that he’d rocked out with Nessy many times, and he’d be shocked if people didn’t guess who he was. Edwin and Bret performed together in March 2024 at Bret’s Parti-Gras Birthday Concert. In addition, Edwin is opening for Bret on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the 2025 Fun Fest Sunset Concert Series in Kingsport, Tennessee.

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The Masked Singer season 13 Group C finalist Nessy has stumped the finalists, and, as he advances to the Lucky 6, they still don’t realize that he’s most likely Edwin. Not only do Nessy’s clues fit Edwin, but his speaking and singing voices are highly recognizable. It’s going to be very exciting to see more clues about him, and if they click for any of the panelists. Nessy has been incredibly entertaining all season, and it’s going to be thrilling to see him compete against Coral, Paparazzo, Pearl, Boogie Woogie, and Mad Scientist Monster in the Lucky 6. Whether Nessy turns out to be Edwin, or possibly someone else, one thing is certain: Nessy is a legend.

The Masked Singer airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on FOX.

Sources: The Masked Singer/YouTube, GranadaTheaterTV/YouTube, The Masked Singer/YouTube, The Masked Singer/YouTube, Justin Bieber/YouTube, The Masked Singer/YouTube