Why does Orville Peck wear a mask? The reason behind the country music singer’s fashion statement

South African country musician Orville Peck joined Sheryl Crow, Kirk Franklin, Kate Hudson on NBC’s TV special, Little Big Town’s Christmas at the Opry.

Wearing a sharp, black suit, bow tie and stetson, Peck (whose real name is Daniel Pitout) belted out a version of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' Christmas All Over Again from the Home Alone Christmas soundtrack.

And of course, he was wearing his trademark mask - on this occasion, a black leather Zorro-style one.

Peck, who wears a different mask every time he takes to the stage, is asked about why he likes to keep his face covered in practically every interview he gives.

The singer has yet to give an in-depth explanation as to why he wears and mask and what inspired him to do so, preferring to maintain an air of mystery and let his fans make their own interpretation.

He has admitted that wearing a mask allows him to “be himself” more than if he performed without it. “100 percent,” he told NPR’s Ailsa Chang in 2022. “That’s kind of the irony of my mask is that - the idea that some people would have me being anonymous or hiding something or not being sincere. But it’s funny because the mask actually has allowed me to be the most vulnerable and the most sincere that I’ve ever been in my life“.

Orville Peck, the outsider

The origins of the mask remain unknown, with Peck simply joking that he “just woke up one day” and there it was on his face. He confesses to having always felt like an outsider.

“I think I’ve always felt out of place - in every room, in every community or whatever you want to call it. I’ve always just felt different. Now, it’s 36 and I’ve learned that that feeling of feeling different, it’s actually my power, not my weakness. I’ve turned that around completely 180 and I’m so grateful for it but it took a long time”.

The country singer has a new album of duets out - Stampede was released across multiple formats (2x vinyl, CD, cassette) in August, in which he teams up with Willie Nelson, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Beck, Debbi Dawson, Teddy Swims and Noah Cyrus among others.

Wherever he goes, Peck is never seen without his mask - which he even wears during interviews. He says he will continue with his facial accessory for now, or at least until he gets bored of it but won’t be revealing its secrets any time soon.

“The only reason I don’t talk about it in depth is not because I want to dodge any questions, but because I want people to have their own take on it,” he told GQ magazine. “I don’t want to lay it out and pin it down. I just don’t think that’s important.”