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 save lots of them, so every performer needed to give it their all — they usually undoubtedly did. Considered one of them even had your complete panel and viewers in tears, admitting that they have been tearing up beneath their masks after that one. That is what you get for paying tribute to family members.

We discovered about difficult childhoods, profession collapses, and domineer households. However we additionally discovered about real love, and ultimately, we felt all of the feels once more as a real trendy icon was unmasked. Who was it? Nicely, as Nick Cannon would say, “you understand the drill!”

Let’s soar proper in with this week’s masks. And don’t fret, earlier than we get to the stunning unmasking(s), we’ll make you energy via the horrible (and infrequently 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 changed into an much more enjoyable opening quantity with Ken Jeong very appropriately singing about feeling unnoticed of the frivolity on the enduring Barbie music Ryan Gosling carried out … effectively, 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 is able to have been a really candy efficiency. However it would not have been practically as entertaining (like that final long-ish last word).

(“Dance the Night time,” Dua Lipa) Bluebell gave a stable efficiency, however it wasn’t fairly as dynamic as final week’s. Her voice revealed a considerably restricted vary, although she’s received a novel and compelling vocal inside her wheelhouse. Her stage presence stays spectacular, along with her clearly having a variety 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 a few of the struggles she’s confronted, when she shared how “all the pieces” went flawed after she landed her large break. Issues received so dangerous she was struggling to make ends meet. It wasn’t till she pivoted to a distinct 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 might 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 bundle.

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.

After 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.ok.a. Season 2’s Ladybug), who mentioned that her good friend 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 not too long ago.

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 motive 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 bundle and mixed that with monetary troubles to seek out his guess, Lindsay Lohan. Even Bluebell gave him a “perhaps” on that one, which implies it is virtually certainly not the appropriate reply.

The web has had a variety 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 Unbiased,” Ne-Yo) Goo created his personal vibe on this R&B observe, 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 variety of artistry. His voice is so wealthy and full, he seems 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 discovered about his fiancee and the way she helped pull him out of being “pissed off and grumpy” in a cheerful 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 regarded 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 seen was how huge Goo is, along with his shoulders showing to be on the very least even with Nick Cannon’s 6’0″ body. That matches along with his Masked Ambassador, Keenan Allen (a.ok.a. Season 9’s gargantuan Gargoyle) talked about how, like his journey, this can present a softer aspect of Goo.

The masks himself then dropped a soccer trace immediately whereas displaying a fishing deal with field and speaking about how he wished to “deal with all the pieces” that got here his approach whereas rising up. He was additionally delicate when he was youthful about robust days in school that left him in tears, however discovered inspiration when his brother began taking part in guitar.

We noticed a practice pulling a automobile 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 profitable awards for his efforts. On stage, we received to see music cleats, with Goo including, “For me, you might need to deal with the only of the sneakers.”

Robin thought-about 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 all people, bringing out the boobirds with an Al Inexperienced guess. “You’ll be able to’t guess Al Inexperienced simply because he is inexperienced,” quipped Robin.

When Rita joked that he may as effectively guess CeeLo Inexperienced, everybody agreed, that will really be a higher guess than Al Inexperienced. Rita tied the gospel trace to Kirk Franklin, however Robin famous he isn’t fairly that tall. Jenny, in the meantime, tied the earlier “Soul Practice” clue to the golden ticket to land on Johnny Gill. This one, Robin received on board with … a minimum of, 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 truth, that latter title is the early favourite, along with his highschool historical past certainly together with stints in a cappella teams. The practice clue might 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 Girl,” 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 seems like a little bit of a pressured falsetto tone, which she additionally would not sound tremendous assured whereas singing in. The efficiency facet of this was a variety of enjoyable with some nice vitality and he or she did discover her approach by the top, however this was on no account a stellar vocal.

Clues & Guesses: Chess Piece got here out for “Barbie Night time” and revealed that she was not solely teased rather a lot 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 lady, a butterfly, and an on-stage Barbie Vainness. “I even have this toy at house, however it’s a life-sized model,” Chess Piece defined.

The Masked Ambassador for Chess Piece is none apart from “comic and worldwide pop sensation” Nikki Glaser (a.ok.a. Season 8’s Snowstorm). Nikki calls Chess Piece the “most fashion-forward good friend,” who mentioned she “loves a style 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 instances, whereas pounding on a small mixture protected. 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, folks have been telling me that I am unable to sing, that I am tone deaf, that I ought to cease, however I really 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 Prime 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.

A number 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 preferred and compelling guess heading for us to return 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 change into a style 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 effectively, however did so with whole command and confidence. He additionally gave us stunning full-throated sections, showcasing unimaginable vary, showmanship and vocal management. This was a stunning 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 beneath 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 house to like and assist from his entire household, together with his father. His dad even expressed how happy with him he was. Clues within the bundle included a folding ladder, a theater marquee along with his title, 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.ok.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, similar to I did in Season 10.”

Wasp then opened up about rising up in a troublesome neighborhood, saying there is not any motive he would have made it out. “However I discovered to dig deep and combat,” he mentioned, sporting a pair of boxing gloves. He then mentioned that his profession blew as much as the “largest screens and levels on the 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 house to characterize their life. Wasp’s honeycomb themed basketball sneakers left him saying, “Recent 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-about 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-about the marquee for Hamilton star Daveed Diggs.

Maybe the preferred 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 habit, 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 Lease, 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 word final week!

In relation to this one night time of performances, the gents undoubtedly dominated. Each Goo and Wasp actually introduced a variety of coronary heart and energy to their performances. We have been somewhat extra blended when it got here to Bluebell and Chess Piece. Based mostly on the earlier two weeks, although, we might have to provide it to Bluebell as she was way more constant vocally.

In the long run, the studio viewers and panel received this one proper. Whereas we’re unhappy to see Chess Piece go, we’ve got to agree that of the remaining singers on this group, she simply wasn’t as much as their degree globally. She’s fabulous and a terrific 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 title got here out of her mouth, and he is proper to emphasise how flawed she was. Sadly, Robin was simply as flawed along with his guess. In truth, nobody on the panel had this one proper, because it was certainly Laverne Cox hidden beneath that masks.

The panel was completely flabbergasted — and even Nick was off along 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.