Shirt – Acne studios

Creative Direction and Make-Up: Olly Fisk at Stella Creative Artists
Photography: Jack Alexander
Fashion: Alizé Demange at Arch The Agency
Hair: Clare Hurford using Color Wow
Nails: Elize Star

Interview: Fabio Magnocavallo

Harriet Rose is making 2026 one to remember. Known for her playful, bubbly presence across both radio and television, Rose brings an energetic, relatable warmth that perfectly balances wit with unapologetic charm. A quick search online reveals her hugely popular Say It or Shot It interviews for KISS FM UK’s YouTube channel, which not only coax candid moments from some of our favourite celebrities but have also racked up millions of views.

Over the past 12 months, Harriet Rose has continued to deliver sharp, humorous content with a whole array of acts — from Teyana Taylor and Summer Walker to the cast of Stranger Things and Jason Momoa. She has presented an award at the BRITs and continued to grow her annual event, GAY4U, after founding the queer-focused series in 2024. A proud lesbian, Rose has described her sexuality as one of her many “superpowers,” driven by a desire to normalise being gay and challenge long-standing stereotypes. In the final weeks of 2025, she also appeared alongside fellow queer icons in Jade’s latest music video for “Church.”

As the new year gets underway, Harriet Rose has returned to our screens for ITV’s The Masked Singer companion show, The Masked Singer Unmasked, where she delivers all the juicy, never-before-seen moments from behind-the-scenes. But that’s far from all Rose has planned for the months ahead. As our interview unfolds, she reveals she’s preparing to launch her own podcast with a unique concept and take her acting career further, all while continuing to entertain us with her ever-evolving presence across radio, television, and digital platforms.

Tights – stylist own
Shoes – Bimba Y Lola
Shorts – Lisa
Polo top – Martin rose adidas
Blue vest – Shu Shu Tong

You’re back with a bang! You’ve returned to The Masked Singer as host of The Masked Singer Unmasked, the digital companion show. How are you feeling? It’s your second year. 

Honestly, firstly, thank you for not firing me, ITV. Shout-out to my babes at ITV for bringing me back. There’s a lot going on in TV at the moment, and to have a show like this recommissioned just shows how dedicated they are to being a bit of a silly sausage. They want fun, and they want to bring people joy, and that’s exactly what The Masked Singer does. I was so thrilled to find out we were recommissioned for another year.

Top – Casablanca
Skirt – Frankie shop
Tights – falke
Boots – Bimba y Lola

Talk to us a little bit more about your involvement this time around…

This year is a little bit different for my show, The After Mask. We really listened to what the audience wanted and did exactly that. We’ve switched things up and gone much more in-depth with the unmaskings, because we realised that was something that had been missing. We needed more time with the actual Masked Singers, because I cannot tell you, these people are devastated when they get voted out. This is worse than Rylan on The X Factor. These celebrities are genuinely gutted when they leave, so it’s really important we give them their moment.

Shirt – Acne studios
Leggings – 223
Shoes – Bimba y Lola
Accessories – Bimba y Lola

The Masked Singer UK is now in its seventh series. What do you think it is about the show that keeps people at home tuning in every time?

The show is also more rapid and more off-the-cuff. There are a few surprises coming up as well, some even in the main show, so you’ll have to watch to find out. I loved this series so much, and it was great to be back with the judges because we all have such a good relationship. When I come on stage and grab them, it’s actually them getting a bit of a break and having a laugh. They have to be more well-behaved on ITV’s main show, but with me, they can be a bit naughty.

I think people don’t want to take life too seriously all the time. There’s already so much going on that’s serious, so sometimes you just need escapism and frivolity. The Masked Singer encapsulates everything that’s silly, stupid, and fun. Getting your favourite celebrities to dress up as massive bananas or air fryers is brilliant. If you go on this show, you’re willing to take the piss out of yourself, and if I find out my favourite celebrity is willing to do that, I like them a billion times more. That’s why people are addicted to watching it. At the end of the day, we just want some light-hearted fun.

How do you feel about this year’s talent?

Honestly, every year they outdo themselves. Just when I think they couldn’t possibly top it, they do. This year was better than ever. I was gagged.

Shirt – Acne studios
Leggings – 223
Shoes – Bimba y Lola
Accessories – Bimba y Lola

Has there been anyone that’s left you shocked following their unmasking?

Grayson Perry. I was gagged. I never thought he’d do it. And there are at least two or three people this year where I was like, “Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re here.”

Were you better at guessing who was underneath the costumes this time?

I was better this year. I felt more in tune with the line-up. It was much more my vibe.

Jumper – La ligne
Shorts – Valentino
Tights – Falke
Boot Heels – Bimba Y Lola
Necklace – Bimba Y Lola

What are your favourite costumes this year?

Garygoyle. Tea Bag was pretty scary as a costume, which is probably why I loved it. And Monkey Business. If you were dressing me, I’d definitely be in Monkey Business because it’s basically someone in a business suit. Conkers is also amazing; it feels like such a millennial costume.

Has there been anyone unmasked and you have zero clue who they are?

Multiple times. One thing I’m really good at is cutting my teeth, such as on the BRITs red carpet, where 90% of the people you’re talking to, you have no idea who they are, and rightly so. Up-and-coming artists deserve to be there. I’m very used to talking to people when I don’t know who they are, and babe, I do not remember names. My ADHD deletes them immediately. It’s not that I’m not listening, I am. But it means I’m always a bit off-the-cuff.

Another reason people love the show is that it caters to everyone. There’s always at least one person in each series that someone knows really well. Liz Holmwood, who does the bookings, is incredible at that. She absolutely nails that cross-section of celebrity.

Outside of The Masked Singer, you are also a radio presenter on KISS FM, where you have your own show, Say It or Shot It. Who have been your favourite guests this year?

Of all time, probably Amelia Dimoldenberg. She’s so selective about what she does, so I was honoured she chose to come on the show. Teyana Taylor was unreal. Jessie J was a highlight because we talked about queerness. And the one I felt really proud of was Summer Walker. She’s really shy, but she opened up so much in that interview.

Jumper – La ligne
Shorts – Valentino
Tights – Falke
Boot Heels – Bimba Y Lola
Necklace – Bimba Y Lola

Who would be your dream guest?

Rihanna is my dream interview. I’ve never met her. I want to meet her for two reasons: I’m a huge fan, the biggest fangirl, and I genuinely realised I was gay when I watched the “Rude Boy” video. I fancied her and thought, “Oh, I’m gay.” And now I’m gay. So I need to thank Rihanna. I need to say, “Thanks for the “Rude Boy” video. I’m now gay, and I’ve not stopped talking about it since.”

You recently starred in Jade’s music video for “Church.” What was it like being a part of something that honoured other queer icons?

Are you kidding me? I cried when the video came out. I cried after I filmed it. I’ve spent my whole career basically living out my dream, but it took such a long time to get to a place where I feel like I get to do my dream every day. I did everything in the run-up to that. I’ve worked for free, climbed every mountain, did it all. This year, my girlfriend really helped me shift my perspective. I said to myself, “I want to act this year.” And I manifested it. I literally said to her, “I want to be in one of Jade’s music videos.” I told Jade, “If you ever need a lesbian in your video, hit me up.” We’re good friends now, but before that, I was a huge Little Mix fan. Last year I promised myself I’d do things that absolutely terrified me. One was saying yes to Jade’s video. I did my first-ever stand-up gig. I performed as a stand-up for the first time. It feels like a time in my life where I’m saying yes to things that scare me. I was so scared of being rubbish in that video, but when I watched it back, I thought, “Do you know what? I wasn’t shit, and I had the time of my life.” Jade is incredible. Being able to say to my kids one day, “I was in one of the biggest pop stars in the world’s music videos,” that’s why I pinch myself every day. I’m so grateful I get to do this job.

What have been your favourite albums from 2025?

Jade’s THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY! is genuinely one of the greatest pop albums of all time. Cardi B’s Am I the Drama? I adore Cardi B and what she represents. She encapsulates such a huge part of society and makes being woke cool. She’s not perfect, but she speaks up for queer people and the LGBTQ+ community, and I think she’s a total slay. I also love her music. Lily Allen’s West End Girl completely consumed me, and I’ve been listening to a lot of Evanescence this year too.

Top – Rhi Dancey
Shorts – Rhi Dancey
Tights – Falke
Heels – Bimba Y Lola

You’ve had a very successful past 12 months. What are you manifesting in 2026?

One thing I’m still manifesting: I’m obsessed with Agatha Christie and desperate for a cameo role. I’ve met the director and one of the producers, so I’m keeping that going.

I’m also launching my podcast. It’s self-funded and completely mine. I’ve filmed the first episode with a big girl band star. It’s called By The Way. The idea comes from the fact that I walk into every room and say, “By the way, I’m gay.” It’s about the thing you want to talk about that no one ever asks you. I have massive celebrities talking about totally unexpected topics. The first guest talks about her star sign. We got psychic readings done and explored her career and life through that lens. It launches at the beginning of February, and because I’m self-funding it, I’ve begged all my famous friends to come on.

Top – Rhi Dancey
Shorts – Rhi Dancey
Tights – Falke
Heels – Bimba Y Lola

What is your FAULT?

I’m completely time-blind. I’ll talk about something that happened three years ago and say it was last week. I have no concept of time whatsoever. It’s frustrating for everyone around me, but it’s fine for me. I also have zero emotional regulation. My girlfriend will tell me I look pretty and I’ll burst into tears, then I’ll walk into a room, say something wildly serious, and start laughing. No one ever knows what’s coming out of my mouth. I fully set the emotional precedent in every room I walk into, and that is entirely my FAULT.

The Masked Singer, Saturday’s at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The Masked Singer Unmasked is available to view on ITVX and Youtube.