The Masked Singer UK’s sixth series is now more than halfway through on ITV, with viewers eagerly trying to guess the identities of the remaining seven characters.
One character that has garnered significant attention is Pufferfish, who has impressed with some of the best vocals the show has ever witnessed.
There has been much speculation about Pufferfish’s identity, with numerous American names being suggested, including Hayden Panettiere, Gwen Stefani, Nicole Richie, Lea Michele, Jamie-Lynn Spears and Katy Perry.
However, some fans of musical theatre, myself included, are convinced that Samantha Barks is the person behind the mask. So, let’s delve into the life and career of this West End star.
Samantha was born and raised in Laxey on the Isle of Man by her parents Richard and Ann, and older sister Kim.
She began dancing at just three years old, training in ballet, modern and tap, before joining the Manx Ballet Company. At the tender age of 16, Samantha moved to London alone to complete her A Levels at the Arts Educational School (ArtsEd) in Chiswick.
In 2007, she released her debut album, Looking in Your Eyes, which sold approximately 600 copies. That same year, she supported Matt Willis and the Sugababes, and represented the Isle of Man in the Maltese International Song Competition – which she won, reports the Mirror.
In 2008, her career took a dramatic turn when she became a finalist in I’d Do Anything – the BBC competition show that sought a new lead to play Nancy in the West End revival of Oliver!
Samantha, then 17, finished in third place, behind runner-up Jessie Buckley and winner Jodie Prenger – all of whom have since enjoyed successful careers.
Just three months after the show concluded, Samantha was announced as the lead role of Sally Bowles in the UK tour of Cabaret. She also had the opportunity to play Nancy in the Oliver! tour.
In 2010, Samantha made her West End debut as Éponine in Les Misérables. This role was transformative for her career, as producer Cameron Mackintosh selected her to reprise the character in the 25th Anniversary Concert of the show and in the 2012 musical film. This led to her performing alongside her co-stars at the 85th Oscars ceremony in 2013.
Samantha’s rendition of On My Own remains one of the most acclaimed today, even making it onto the Billboard Hot 100 upon its release.
After impressing audiences in Les Misérables, she played Velma Kelly in the 2013 production of Chicago at The Hollywood Bowl. She also performed with Bridgerton/Wicked star Jonathan Bailey in The Last Five Years and starred in the title role of the world premiere of Amélie.
In 2017, Samantha first took on the role of Vivian in the stage musical adaptation of Pretty Woman, which debuted in Chicago before making its way to Broadway. She later landed the role of Elsa in the West End production of Frozen, which ran from August 2021 until September 2024.
“Every other part I’ve played has a love interest, and that has been like the main focus. This is not that at all… Elsa is a really complex part,” Samantha once shared. “And she’s so isolated, so that’s very interesting. It’s a lot of ‘conceal and don’t feel’ until she has that moment of self-acceptance and self-love.”
In 2022, Samantha tied the knot with her Pretty Woman co-star Alex Stoll, and they welcomed their son Rafael in October 2023. After a four-month maternity leave, she returned to Frozen.
The star has three studio albums under her belt and has even judged talent on All Star Musicals and 2023’s Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream – a show that sought two performers for the roles of Sophie and Sky in Mamma Mia! in London’s West End. The judging panel also included Amber Riley, Jessie Ware, and Alan Carr.
On The Masked Singer, Pufferfish has impressed with beautiful performances of Chappell Roan’s Good Luck, Babe and Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want to Have Fun.
Last weekend, the star performed Lose Control by Teddy Swims. Many speculate that the song choice could hint at Elsa losing her powers in Frozen – a scene Samantha enacted nightly in the West End for four years.
The celebrity has dismissed rumours of her participation in the show, informing curious followers on X (previously known as Twitter) that “it’s not me sorry” – a statement that could potentially be a cunning diversion.
Samantha, renowned for her stunning vocal prowess, could indeed be the person behind Pufferfish. We’ll have to wait and see.
The Masked Singer UK is available to watch on ITVX