The Masked Singer Double Elimination Boots Icons of ’90s Music, Groundbreaking ’10s Sitcom

If not, it might be a double-elimination, as just one singer might survive and make it to the quarterfinals in a few months. Within the meantime, Buffalos, Ship, and Woodpecker wanted to do all they might to outlive two rounds of competitors right here!

The “Soundtrack of My Life” theme introduced out feelings from the panel and from the contestants, hiding their tears behind their masks. Their heartfelt and impactful tales helped form who they’ve turn into as superstars.

However who’re they? And which ones superior to the quarterfinals? As Nick would shout, ” what to do!”

Let’s leap proper in with this week’s masks. And don’t be concerned, earlier than we get to the unmasking(s), we will 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.

Together with the panel’s guesses, we’ll be sharing some web hypothesis, too, so in the event you do not wish to be doubtlessly spoiled (as a result of they’re excellent at this), chances are you’ll wish to skip previous the guesses sections.

(“Excessive Hopes,” Panic! on the Disco) It was a stability between skilled confidence and youthful bravado on both finish as Ship laid it down vocally and with a lot improbable angle within the opening strains, Buffaloes maintained their constantly sturdy vocals, and Woodpecker was giving every part. She strikes and bounces in a means that you just solely see in somebody very younger and really assured, if not bordering on cocky. She’s feeling herself at this level. We’ll see how all three really feel after their solo performances.

(“As a result of the Evening,” Patti Smith Group) Ship sailed easily into these vocals effortlessly, although she did not fairly have as a lot aggression in her interpretation as the unique. That mentioned, she’s so seasoned and conscious of her vary and her voice, she didn’t make a unsuitable transfer. Simply as we have been hoping she’d give herself a vocal second, she pushed that last refrain greater and put a stamp on a really assured and powerful efficiency.

Guesses: Ship shared that she felt related to Patti Smith’s “As a result of the Evening” as a result of she, too, felt shipwrecked and misplaced at one level in her life. She described her existence as “broke” and “residing off of a $2 burrito,” with one half for lunch and the opposite for dinner.

Then, although, she signed on to sing backup on a global tour, displaying a rowboat as she talked about it. A photograph of John Wayne was additionally featured, whereas on stage we bought a letter written, “Congrats on the Finest New Artist win! You’re a true main woman. -LeAnn ’98.”

“This observe is from one of the vital treasured moments of my profession. And it meant the world to obtain such recognition from such a proficient girl like LeAnn Rimes,” Ship defined. Later, when requested what she’s discoverad about herself on this journey, Ship added, “I am such an introvert, that is reall stressing me out. However I’ve to say, I have been watching this present with my daughter, and we love you, and thanks a lot for having me right here. I hope to go all the way in which.”

For Footloose week, Ship opened up about her personal highschool expertise, sharing that she was fairly the mover and shaker in her teen years. She was a cheerleader, class president, and even bought voted promenade queen. However a severe damage left her sidelined and in a boot for a 12 months.

It was at this level that she turned to music, notably the household piano. She used it as her remedy, she defined as we noticed her opening a pink, heart-shaped window. She additionally represented her foot damage with a medical boot and a pair of white cowboy boots, whereas we additionally noticed a raven earlier than she dropped the basic phrase, “knocking on heaven’s door.”

Her large on-stage clue got here out as a wall of lockers. Inside one was a shot of Kevin Bacon from Footloose beneath Whoopi Goldberg beneath Melissa Etheridge. Ship defined, “I am three levels of Kevin Bacon” via her connection to Etheridge.

Season 6 winner Queen of Hearts (a.ok.a. Jewel) had the distinction of being the Masked Ambassador for Ship, who shared that her life has modified from “offended to serene on a dime” after a speedy begin to her profession. She mentioned she had “large hits, made historical past,” however then misplaced management of it.

She felt fully forgotten for years earlier than reclaiming her profession, and actually, lastly having fun with the profession she at all times wished. However that profession is not like this stage, with Ship admitting that is scary as a result of it is “uncharted waters.”

Jewel, although, thought that was purpose sufficient to do it, encouraging Ship to “steer in direction of your fears head on, identical to we did all these years in the past collectively.” She mentioned that by doing so, she’d be “unsinkable.”

Alongside the way in which on this first clue package deal, we noticed sculptures in an artwork museum, a airplane, a clock on it set to roughly 11:35, a $15,000 Wished poster, and an previous TV with antenna crossed to make an “X.” Is that for Era X, X Issue, or perhaps even the X-Males? Her on-stage reward was a shiny cowboy hat.

Rita thought of the raven and Sarah McLachlan’s “Blackbird.” “However there can be unhappy puppies within the clue package deal,” Jenny quipped earlier than Robin began tossing out acquainted guesses earlier than circling again to McLachlan’s piano prowess. Ken, in the meantime, once more tried to twist the fowl right into a Sheryl Crow.

“You realize who’s my main woman?” Ken requested, to which Jenny interrupted earnestly to answer, “Jenny McCarthy.” He went on to guess VMA’s Finest New Artist Alanis Morissette, who wrote “Firefly” for Jewel. The issue, although, is that Alanis has a very distinctive voice, Ken … and that ain’t it!

Rita went into the Finest New Artist Grammys class to seek out Norah Jones, whereas Jenny was considering Joan Osborne briefly earlier than winding her solution to the guess the web’s been circling since day one. Paula Cole has a Finest New Artist Grammy, too, coming just some years after she joined Peter Gabriel’s world tour as a backup singer, changing Sinead O’Connor.

(“Put Your Information On,” Corinne Bailey Rae) Woodpecker introduced her strongest vocal efficiency of the season simply when she wanted it, providing a velvety tone that caressed the opening verse. There was a milky throatiness we have not heard from her earlier than. Within the refrain, we bought some falsetto and hints of vary. She nonetheless performs like an novice, with some moments that are not as dynamic vocally and in stage presence, however she’s grown loads in simply three performances.

Guesses: For the “Soundtrack of My Life” theme, Woodpecker channeled the sturdy ladies in her life, together with two grandmothers and an aunt, who she mentioned all lived beneath the identical roof along with her at one time. Whereas speaking about her grandma listening to her personal data, we noticed a turntable, South American on a globe, a cheeseburger, and an image of Regina Corridor.

When requested what she desires to say to her Masked Singer superfan grandma, Woodpecker replied, “Oh Grammy, I’m so grateful to have you ever in my life. I hope I’m making you proud on this tight corset!” Her time capsule clue was [[XXXXXXX]].

In Week 2 we realized that Woodpecker’s hero is … Woodpecker. This obvious former baby movie star talked about rising up within the highlight and getting scrutinized for every part from desirous to kiss a boy to put on heals or — oh my! — utilizing curse phrases.

A few of her visible clues included a tiny brown briefcase, a yellow rubber duckie, and a director’s chair. Her on-stage clue for Week 2 was Kevin Bacon’s sneakers from Footloose. She defined, “One other fowl from The Masked Singer household, and mine, shares their fashionable obsession with sneakers with me.”

Season 11’s Miss Cleocatra (a.ok.a. Jenifer Lewis) was Woodpecker’s TMS ambassador, who had love for an artist she’s identified because the begin of her profession. She known as her a mogul and “stylish CEO,” touting she even turned associates with Beyoncé.

Woodpecker shared that she was taught the one doorways that open are ones you knock on, “so I knock on all of them.” Her purpose now’s to be the youngest billionaire, proving alongside the way in which that there is nothing she will be able to’t do.

Visible clues included an SAT reply sheet, gate signal studying “Household,” and pink sports activities tape studying “Subsequent.” Her on-stage clue “Ambassador Reward” was a “World File” plaque, suggesting she may need a type of, too!

Rita considered a “hustler, like me,” touchdown on Letitia Wright, who’s a multi-hyphenate along with her personal manufacturing firm. Ken admitted he would not know who it’s, so he went with Willow Smith, whereas Jenny wasn’t tremendous assured in her Regina King. Nick did not’ say he knew who it was, however was getting that youthful vibe from her.

That newest on-stage clue undoubtedly helped Robin out, who tied the cheeseburger to Good Burger 2 and a social media star who famously wears glasses in a variety of her TikToks, Liza Koshy. Ken, although, thought of the globe to probably discuss with a Golden Globe and presenter Regina Corridor, who offered Finest Comedy to Quinta Brunson.

Jenny, although, questioned concerning the earlier “Household” clue and the kid star hints to seek out her solution to Tatyana Ali from The Recent Prince of Bel-Air. However the web is skewing youthful than all of these guesses, although many are so near what they’re considering. She did star in Good Burger 2, and he or she was on a household sitcom, nevertheless it was black-ish, and we’re rising increasingly persuade that that is Marsai Martin — who’s additionally fairly identified for her spectacles.

(“Bittersweet Symphony,” The Verve) Buffalos did a terrific job of arranging this vocal into three-part concord, whereas sharing leads and having their moments. We have been undoubtedly digging the choreography, as properly, which solely additional proves that these boys have been at this for some time and undoubtedly know methods to share the highlight and complement each other as performers and singers.

Guesses: The trio selected The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” for his or her third efficiency as a result of they related with that bittersweet feeling. Of their clue package deal, they opened up about dropping a guiding gentle that impressed them as they have been breaking via after they misplaced him out of the blue.

They mentioned that they sang collectively whereas laying him to relaxation and thought that could be it for them, however they know he’d need them to proceed. Visible clues within the package deal included a Useless Finish signal, a ringing bell, and camouflage umbrella.

“We have been on this business for a really very long time,” one among them mentioned on stage after their efficiency. “We have gained loads and we have misplaced loads. The attractive factor is, we’re right here proper now sharing our story with you.” The opposite two circled round him in assist as he bought emotional.

The on-stage clue was a t-shirt that reads “Halftime Present,” with the reason, “This halftime t-shirt has aged over time, like us, however we will let you know this efficiency was in entrance of one of many greatest audiences on the planet.”

Their second clue package deal noticed the trio describe themselves as rebels who discovered one another alongside the way in which by no means actually cared what different individuals mentioned about them. It emphasised that they are humorous — whereas suggesting some may assume they take themselves too critically — and that they are wealthy. Like, means wealthy.

Their bar-set package deal included an emphasis on three beer mugs, a sport of poker, and a black “poison” bottle. Their clue got here out as a mini-“Motown” tractor. “We’re slightly drained proper now as a result of we’re busy utilizing this tractor to mow lawns throughout city,” they defined.

Season 5 winner Piglet (a.ok.a. Nick Lachey) shared a seemingly singular Buffalo’s story in his first clue package deal, speaking about his tough upbringing in “roach-filled beds at evening.” In the course of the day, he practiced at a bus cease. When Buffalo talked about catching his huge break at a cattle name, we noticed pictures of Betty White and Vanna White.

From that auspicious starting, Buffalo went on to journey the world and star in two of the most important sitcoms of all time. Nick got here again to name Buffalo a “nationwide treasure,” in addition to the focal point at his Tremendous Bowl events. Extra pictures included a poster of a soccer participant at that bus cease and Buffalo holding up a movie reel.

Buffalo’s closing line was, “Simply you wait,” which evokes Hamilton. Their-on-stage clue the primary week was a crown.

Jenny was choosing up some B2K vibes, however as a substitute took the bell to the Liberty Bell and Boyz II Males, who did carry out at a Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present. The web has been leaning extra towards the Boyz, however there’s nonetheless a contingency who assume it could be Bell Biv DeVoe, leaving this essentially the most undecided masks but!

Ken, although, mentioned it is undoubtedly not Boyz II Males as a result of he is aware of “precisely who that is.” He then dropped Bone Thugs-N-Concord, which had Nick actually falling out. Rita’s Black Eyed Peas guess wasn’t significantly better as a result of they do not sing like that. Lady, please!

A harder street this week, nevertheless it greater than possible comes right down to Ship and Woodpecker. Buffalos outperformed them each, and pulled heartstrings on the identical time! There is no means this studio viewers would dump them after one thing like that.

As for the women, we nonetheless assume Ship is extra polished than Woodpecker. So regardless that we suspect they will each go residence earlier than the tip of the evening, at this stage, it felt extra like a Woodpecker exit for us, although we do know these younger audiences like a younger artist. So we would not be stunned to be stunned.

However we weren’t stunned, because the viewers agreed with us, sending Ship and Buffalos into the Battle Royale spherical and Woodpecker again to the nest.

• Robin Thicke: Liza Koshy
• Jenny McCarthy: Tatyana Ali
• Ken Jeong: Quinta Brunson
• Rita Ora: Keke Palmer

We’re fairly certain the panel missed the mark on this one, dropping concentrate on a variety of the clues and that physique language. We expect the web has been on the cash with this one because the starting and it is really black-ish baby star all grown up, Marsai Martin. And that is precisely who it was!

Marsai shared that she’s been watching The Masked Singer because the starting, calling it “wonderful.” She went on so as to add, “Actually, singing has simply been out of my consolation zone for the longest time, so I believe to have the ability to be behind the masks and turn into this sure character, this sure facade, in a means, it is so enjoyable and thrilling.”

(“Go Your Personal Approach,” Fleetwood Mac) Ship strained her vary a bit and did not fairly nail it as strongly as she certainly supposed, however nonetheless gave a really sturdy efficiency, very a lot within the type of the unique. This register is true in her wheelhouse and he or she undoubtedly sounded comfy on the observe. Buffalos continued to make their case for simply successful the entire damned factor (regardless that we have solely met a 3rd of the contenders) by completely making the track their very own, rearranging it right into a basic R&B jam with silky easy vocals. This was butter melting down our ear canals, very similar to they most likely have been doing all via the heights of their profession.

As a lot as we love Ship, with all that energy and poise and charm up there, she had the unhealthy misfortune of touchdown in a gaggle with Buffalos. In the long run (for now), there might be just one and that one must be Buffalos.

There was no “bullshp” from the panel — who have been the one ones to vote this spherical — as they shortly made it official, sending Buffalos into the quarterfinal, and Ship again residence to benefit from the present along with her daughter.

• Robin Thicke: Amy Lee
• Jenny McCarthy: Paula Cole
• Ken Jeong: Alanis Morissette
• Rita Ora: Sarah McLachlan

Ken and Robin had the worst guesses based mostly on voice alone as Alanis has a much more distinctive sound and Amy has the potential to go greater extra confidently. Of the remaining two guesses, Paula Cole was lining up extra with the clues and her total vocal vibe was undoubtedly extra what we have been listening to — plus, the web lastly landed on this identical guess.

Did Jenny get her first proper guess? “Ken, am I gonna break your streak?” she requested her fellow panelist, earlier than that is precisely what occurred. At the least Ken was gracious about it.

Paula shared that the entire concept of the present makes her uncomfortable, however then she thought, “There’s a lot chance while you choose up your bravery and also you do one thing exterior of your consolation zone. And so I pushed myself, after which it is simply enjoyable.”

The Masked Singer shifts to Group B for a “Sports activities Evening” theme subsequent Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.