Trailblazing Winner Stumps Panel in Surprising Reveal

In between, the panel was throwing out all types of guesses from Amy Adams and Anne Hathaway to Tyra Banks, CeeLo Inexperienced, and Frank Ocean as Bluebell, Chess Piece, Goo, and Wasp battled it out to make it to subsequent week’s double-elimination Group B finals.

There was nonetheless no Battle Royale spherical to avoid wasting them, so every performer needed to give it their all — and so they undoubtedly did. One among them even had your entire panel and viewers in tears, admitting that they have been tearing up underneath their masks after that one. That is what you get for paying tribute to family members.

We realized about difficult childhoods, profession collapses, and domineer households. However we additionally realized about real love, and in the long run, we felt all of the feels once more as a real trendy icon was unmasked. Who was it? Effectively, as Nick Cannon would say, “you already know the drill!”

Let’s soar proper in with this week’s masks. And don’t be concerned, earlier than we get to the surprising unmasking(s), we’ll make you energy via the horrible (and sometimes good) guesses made by our illustrious panel of Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong and Rita Ora first. We do that as a result of we love … to torture you.

(“I am Simply Ken,” from ‘Barbie’) A really perky opening become an much more enjoyable opening quantity with Ken Jeong very appropriately singing about feeling disregarded of the frivolity on the long-lasting Barbie tune Ryan Gosling carried out … properly, in all places! We have been stunned at how good Ken’s voice is; the man can carry a tune. If he wasn’t hamming it up a lot, this may have been a really candy efficiency. But it surely would not have been practically as entertaining (like that final long-ish ultimate be aware).

(“Dance the Night time,” Dua Lipa) Bluebell gave a stable efficiency, but it surely wasn’t fairly as dynamic as final week’s. Her voice revealed a considerably restricted vary, although she’s received a singular and compelling vocal inside her wheelhouse. Her stage presence stays spectacular, together with her clearly having a whole lot of enjoyable bringing it for the gang, however the vocals did not rise all the way in which as much as the identical degree.

Clues & Guesses: Her newest batch of clues talked about among the struggles she’s confronted, when she shared how “all the things” went improper after she landed her huge break. Issues received so dangerous she was struggling to make ends meet. It wasn’t till she pivoted to a special expertise that doorways opened and her profession bloomed.

She talked about writing lists of what she wished out of life, by no means questioning her perception that she may obtain no matter she dreamed. We noticed her writing in her journal, an image of a dragon, a “solar”-flower, and ripped polaroid within the clue package deal.

On stage, her toy clue was an astronaut, with Bluebell including, “I have been able to take you out of this world, ever since my arrival.” Was {that a} trace of a British accent we heard in there.

Once we first met her, Bluebell was getting very “touchy-feely” with Nick, which is usually a clue in itself. Her Masked Ambassador is Kelly Osbourne (a.okay.a. Season 2’s Ladybug), who mentioned that her buddy Bluebell is all too aware of “tabloid fodder.” They’ve even made headlines collectively.

Kelly mentioned that Bluebell had in a single day success, whereas Bluebell checked out a TV script for “Episode 1204: Bluebell of the Ball,” however with that fame got here gossip. Bluebell mentioned that as she blew up, her alleged relationships with rock stars, billionaires, and royals took over. And but, she did not discover “real love” till lately.

Visible clues included Bluebell rocking out on blue guitar with a phoenix sticker on it and ripped blue denims, which Kelly added “cargo pants” and “crop tops” to after Bluebell mentioned, “I am sort of having a second.” That was her purpose for doing the present. Her on-stage clue was a pair of blinged out curler blades, with Bluebell explaining, “I attempt to roll with the scenario, however I at all times rock it out.”

Jenny took the astronaut clue to the film Arrival and Amy Adams. She additionally tied the dragon to her movie Enchanted. Nick was instantly grimacing when Ken threw out Interstellar star Anne Hathaway — who he is been attempting to manifest onto this present for years, with no luck — solely to show round and inform his “son” that the guess was “really” not dangerous.

Robin recalled the tabloid, breakup drama from the earlier clue package deal and mixed that with monetary troubles to seek out his guess, Lindsay Lohan. Even Bluebell gave him a “perhaps” on that one, which suggests it is virtually absolutely not the best reply.

The web has had a whole lot of guesses for Bluebell, too, with no sturdy consensus dominating their takes. There have been names tossed round like America Ferrera, Paris Hilton, Stevie Nicks, Reba McEntire and Rooney Mara, and Cyndi Lauper.

However the one with probably the most traction may simply be Natalie Imbruglia, with the torn Polaroid referencing her breakout single, “Torn.” She additionally reportedly dated Richard Branson and Prince Harry, whereas she and Kelly Osbourne undoubtedly made headlines collectively. She launched her profession as an actress on cleaning soap Neighbours, however when that did not work out, she pivoted to singing.

(“Miss Impartial,” Ne-Yo) Goo created his personal vibe on this R&B monitor, placing a lot ardour and verve on it. It was extra of an homage to the unique than a note-for-note remake, which showcased a whole lot of artistry. His voice is so wealthy and full, he feels like he is already been via a sound sales space and is coming to us from an album. He cannot transfer a lot within the costume, however with these pipes, he can get away with it.

Clues & Guesses: Goo headed to a theme park, the place we realized about his fiancee and the way she helped pull him out of being “pissed off and grumpy” in a contented place by asking him to bop. Visible clues within the story included a church gown with a cross on it, a golden ticket, and a bowl of fried ice cream … perhaps an empanada?

His toy clue seemed like the entire damned Malibu Barbie Dream Home. “This proper here’s a dream home,” Goo defined, “which is fairly becoming for Robin, as a result of I do know he is a fan.”

The very first thing we observed was how huge Goo is, together with his shoulders showing to be on the very least even with Nick Cannon’s 6’0″ body. That matches together with his Masked Ambassador, Keenan Allen (a.okay.a. Season 9’s gargantuan Gargoyle) talked about how, like his journey, it will present a softer aspect of Goo.

The masks himself then dropped a soccer trace straight away whereas displaying a fishing sort out field and speaking about how he wished to “sort out all the things” that got here his method whereas rising up. He was additionally delicate when he was youthful about robust days at college that left him in tears, however discovered inspiration when his brother began taking part in guitar.

We noticed a prepare pulling a automotive full of disco balls, in addition to a French horn whereas he talked about turning into a “music nerd” concerned with an a cappella group and music lab, even successful awards for his efforts. On stage, we received to see music cleats, with Goo including, “For me, chances are you’ll wish to concentrate on the only real of the sneakers.”

Robin thought of his connection to Goo, as he lives in Malibu, as attainable neighbors. He threw out names like Robert Downey Jr. and Gerard Butler, however did not actually have a clue. Ken misplaced everyone, bringing out the boobirds with an Al Inexperienced guess. “You possibly can’t guess Al Inexperienced simply because he is inexperienced,” quipped Robin.

When Rita joked that he may as properly guess CeeLo Inexperienced, everybody agreed, that might really be a higher guess than Al Inexperienced. Rita tied the gospel trace to Kirk Franklin, however Robin famous he is not fairly that tall. Jenny, in the meantime, tied the earlier “Soul Prepare” clue to the golden ticket to land on Johnny Gill. This one, Robin received on board with … at the least, he is “fairly certain.”

Social media is in no way certain who Goo is, however they’re certain that they completely love his pipes. A few of their guesses up to now have included Terry Crews, Michael Strahan, and even some soccer names like Gerald Sensabaugh and Kobie Turner.

In reality, that latter identify is the early favourite, together with his highschool historical past certainly together with stints in a cappella teams. The prepare clue may tie to his highschool nickname, “The Conductor,” and maybe probably the most compelling clue is the truth that he is engaged to Alissa Villanueva

(“I am Each Lady,” Chaka Khan) Chess Piece nonetheless sounded as if she was being held again by not simply belting in her full, common voice. As a substitute, it feels like a little bit of a compelled falsetto tone, which she additionally does not sound tremendous assured whereas singing in. The efficiency side of this was a whole lot of enjoyable with some nice vitality and he or she did discover her method by the tip, however this was under no circumstances a stellar vocal.

Clues & Guesses: Chess Piece got here out for “Barbie Night time” and revealed that she was not solely teased quite a bit rising up, however she was a Barbie lover who wasn’t allowed to play with the favored dolls. Years later, although, she had one modeled after her and rekindled her love as an grownup.

Extra visible clues included a portray of an Egyptian girl, a butterfly, and an on-stage Barbie Self-importance. “I even have this toy at residence, but it surely’s a life-sized model,” Chess Piece defined.

The Masked Ambassador for Chess Piece is none aside from “comic and worldwide pop sensation” Nikki Glaser (a.okay.a. Season 8’s Snowstorm). Nikki calls Chess Piece the “most fashion-forward buddy,” who mentioned she “loves a vogue second,” however by no means thought she’d be on the present.

Chess Piece went on to say she’d felt like a pawn “with no safety” at occasions, whereas pounding on a small mixture secure. She mentioned she was doubted her entire life, needed to make daring strikes throughout the board to “safe my crown, and that main function that modified my recreation.”

Throughout this assertion, Chess Piece went behind a pink rope to face alongside pictures of Goldfish (Vanessa Hudgens), Solar (Leann Rimes), Night time Angel (Kandi Burruss), and Queen of Hearts (Jewel). There was additionally a pink carpet and a cutout of a pair of pink lips … so pink is certainly the vibe.

On the stage, the nearly-as-tall-as-Nick Chess Piece mentioned, “Since I used to be a child, individuals have been telling me that I am unable to sing, that I am tone deaf, that I ought to cease, however I like singing, so I maintain doing it.” The shoe clue was a pair of inexperienced tennis sneakers with Chess Piece including, “Within the first spherical of the match, it is love serving love.”

Rita had a “ding-ding-ding” in her mind that introduced her once more to an America’s Subsequent High Mannequin contestant, however she’s ditching her Ashley Graham guess for Tyra Banks (there was a financial institution clue final week), who starred in a film known as Life-Sized. Robin, although, will get dancer vibes, guessing Misty Copeland, who does have a Barbie — which he didn’t find out about. Ken’s guess was fellow Barbie inspiration Issa Rae, who additionally received a Butterfly Award.

Lots of the guesses on-line have been choosing up on some drag vibes, with Drag Race star Jinkx Monsoon rising as a powerful chance, who had a “main” function when she received Season 5. Plus, Nikki Glaser was a visitor choose on the seventh All Stars season, with Jinkx additionally received.

However the most well-liked and compelling guess heading for us to come back from the interwebs is 5’11” Laverne Cox, with the pink lips tying to her function as Dr. Frank-N-Additional within the 2016 remake of The Rocky Horror Image Present. She has develop into a vogue icon on all of the pink carpets, whereas the orange ties to her breakout function in Orange Is the New Black, which broke floor and made her a star.

The transgender actress’ clues about not being allowed to play with Barbie rising up matches with typical gender expectations and parental restrictions, whereas Laverne has certainly now had a tribute Barbie modeled after her in 2022. However we do not know her connection to Nikki Glaser so … perhaps not?

(“Skyscraper,” Demi Lovato) Wasp jumped into his falsetto, as properly, however did so with complete command and confidence. He additionally gave us lovely full-throated sections, showcasing unimaginable vary, showmanship and vocal management. This was a beautiful and heartfelt efficiency, with emotion pouring via a ridiculous wasp costume — a testomony to his artistry and expertise, for which he was rewarded with the longest applause of the season.

Clues & Guesses: For his second week, Wasp pulled again the curtain on his crowded upbringing, rising up with greater than a dozen relations dwelling underneath the identical roof, with Wasp describing all of them as “hustlers.” The one factor lacking was his dad.

He mentioned that when he lastly stepped out and made it, although, he returned residence to like and help from his entire household, together with his father. His dad even expressed how happy with him he was. Clues within the package deal included a folding ladder, a theater marquee together with his identify, and a pink crab.

His on-stage toy was a Barbie stage with two dolls standing on it, every with one arm raised, one on a little bit of a pedestal. “Each minute I am on the market, I take my reside performances to new heights,” Wasp defined.

The Wasp’s Masked Ambassador is Ne-Yo (a.okay.a. Season 10 winner Cow), who mentioned, “I believe it is about time for my boy the Wasp to enter this recreation. I’ve identified him since he was recent on the scene and he gained large success by taking my phrases of knowledge. I believe he is received what it takes to snag the Golden Masks trophy, identical to I did in Season 10.”

Wasp then opened up about rising up in a troublesome neighborhood, saying there is not any purpose he would have made it out. “However I realized to dig deep and battle,” he mentioned, sporting a pair of boxing gloves. He then mentioned that his profession blew as much as the “greatest screens and levels on this planet.” Ne-Yo mentioned he had the women swarming.

Different visible clues included a shot of Mars and a lightbulb over Ne-Yo’s head whereas speaking about his phrases of knowledge. For Sports activities Night time, the singers introduced an athletic shoe from residence to characterize their life. Wasp’s honeycomb themed basketball sneakers left him saying, “Contemporary kicks assist me keep on my recreation.”

Robin puzzled if the “heights” clue was a reference to the musical Within the Heights, whereas Rita thought of songs “Skywalker” and “Waves” (crabs reside within the ocean) to seek out Miguel. Jenny, although, went extra literal to Frank Ocean. Ken, in the meantime, thought of the marquee for Hamilton star Daveed Diggs.

Maybe the most well-liked reply, that is actually rising on us, is Mario. He was raised by his grandmother in west Baltimore whereas his single mom struggled with heroin dependancy, and he is beforehand talked about having 18 relations dwelling in his home.

Ne-Yo wrote “Let Me Love You” for him, cementing that connection. He additionally starred within the TV adaptation of theatrical manufacturing Hire, giving us our marquee — and the ladder, too, whereas we’re at it, for its distinctive staging. As for the web, they’re claiming they’ve identified it was Wasp from the primary be aware final week!

With regards to this one evening of performances, the gents undoubtedly dominated. Each Goo and Wasp actually introduced a whole lot of coronary heart and energy to their performances. We have been a little bit extra blended when it got here to Bluebell and Chess Piece. Based mostly on the earlier two weeks, although, we would have to provide it to Bluebell as she was way more constant vocally.

Ultimately, the studio viewers and panel received this one proper. Whereas we’re unhappy to see Chess Piece go, we’ve to agree that of the remaining singers on this group, she simply wasn’t as much as their degree globally. She’s fabulous and an amazing performer, however the voice simply wasn’t there.

• Robin Thicke: Misty Copeland
• Jenny McCarthy: Serena Williams
• Ken Jeong: Issa Rae
• Rita Ora: Tyra Banks

“That ain’t no Serena Williams!” Robin interrupted Jenny the second the identify got here out of her mouth, and he is proper to emphasise how improper she was. Sadly, Robin was simply as improper together with his guess. In reality, nobody on the panel had this one proper, because it was certainly Laverne Cox hidden underneath that masks.

The panel was completely flabbergasted — and even Nick was off together with his personal unstated guess, as he instructed her she “stunned us all.” Laverne has been a trailblazer for transgender performers at each step of her profession, and this marks simply one other one for the “function mannequin” and “pioneer,” and for The Masked Singer.

The Masked Singer continues with the Group B finals and a double-elimination subsequent Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.