Lisa Rose / Lisa Rose / FOX

Because the show is filmed so early in advance, the producers want to keep the contestants' anonymity for as long as possible. The studio audience hears which contestant will be unmasked, watches them struggle to take off the mask, but then the contestant is "whisked" offstage still wearing the mask. Then, the audience films their surprised reactions — which we see edited into the episode on TV. The majority of the audience is asked to leave the room, leaving behind reps, friends, and family members of the contestants who get to witness the actual unmasking.