Trailblazing Winner Stumps Panel in Stunning 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 — and so they undoubtedly did. Considered one of them even had all the 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 realized about difficult childhoods, profession collapses, and domineer households. However we additionally realized about real love, and ultimately, 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 recognize the drill!”

Let’s soar proper in with this week’s masks. And don’t be concerned, earlier than we get to the stunning unmasking(s), we will make you energy by means of 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 was an much more enjoyable opening quantity with Ken Jeong very appropriately singing about feeling not noted of the frivolity on the long-lasting Barbie tune Ryan Gosling carried out … effectively, all over the place! 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. However it would not have been almost as entertaining (like that final long-ish remaining notice).

(“Dance the Evening,” Dua Lipa) Bluebell gave a strong efficiency, nevertheless it wasn’t fairly as dynamic as final week’s. Her voice revealed a considerably restricted vary, although she’s acquired a singular and compelling vocal inside her wheelhouse. Her stage presence stays spectacular, together with her clearly having lots of enjoyable bringing it for the group, however the vocals did not rise all the best way as much as the identical stage.

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 fallacious after she landed her huge break. Issues acquired 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 needed 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.okay.a. Season 2’s Ladybug), who mentioned that her pal 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 just 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 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 all the time 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 search out his guess, Lindsay Lohan. Even Bluebell gave him a “perhaps” on that one, which suggests it is nearly certainly not the suitable reply.

The web has had lots of guesses for Bluebell, too, with no robust 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 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 lots of artistry. His voice is so wealthy and full, he seems like he is already been by means of 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 “annoyed 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 appeared 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, 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.okay.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 instantly whereas displaying a fishing deal with field and speaking about how he needed to “deal with all the pieces” that got here his manner whereas rising up. He was additionally delicate when he was youthful about powerful 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 successful awards for his efforts. On stage, we acquired to see music cleats, with Goo including, “For me, it’s possible you’ll need to concentrate on the only of the footwear.”

Robin thought-about his connection to Goo, as he lives in Malibu, as potential 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 may’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 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 acquired on board with … at the very least, he is “fairly positive.”

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

In actual fact, that latter identify 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 Lady,” Chaka Khan) Chess Piece nonetheless sounded as if she was being held again by not simply belting in her full, common voice. As an alternative, 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 lots of enjoyable with some nice vitality and he or she did discover her manner by the tip, however this was not at all a stellar vocal.

Clues & Guesses: Chess Piece got here out for “Barbie Evening” and revealed that she was not solely teased loads 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, nevertheless it’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 pal,” who mentioned she “loves a trend 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 sport.”

Throughout this assertion, Chess Piece went behind a purple rope to face alongside photographs of Goldfish (Vanessa Hudgens), Solar (Leann Rimes), Evening Angel (Kandi Burruss), and Queen of Hearts (Jewel). There was additionally a purple carpet and a cutout of a pair of purple lips … so purple 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 can not sing, that I am tone deaf, that I ought to cease, however I really like singing, so I preserve doing it.” The shoe clue was a pair of inexperienced tennis footwear 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 learn about. Ken’s guess was fellow Barbie inspiration Issa Rae, who additionally received a Butterfly Award.

Loads of the guesses on-line have been choosing up on some drag vibes, with Drag Race star Jinkx Monsoon rising as a robust risk, 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 come back from the interwebs is 5’11” Laverne Cox, with the purple 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 trend icon on all of the purple 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 suits 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 lovely full-throated sections, showcasing unbelievable vary, showmanship and vocal management. This was a stunning and heartfelt efficiency, with emotion pouring by means of 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 residing 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 residence 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 identify, and a purple 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 dwell 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 sport. I’ve recognized him since he was recent on the scene and he gained enormous success by taking my phrases of knowledge. I believe he is acquired 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 tricky neighborhood, saying there isn’t any motive he would have made it out. “However I realized to dig deep and struggle,” 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 Evening, the singers introduced an athletic shoe from residence to characterize their life. Wasp’s honeycomb themed basketball footwear left him saying, “Recent kicks assist me keep on my sport.”

Robin puzzled if the “heights” clue was a reference to the musical Within the Heights, whereas Rita thought-about songs “Skywalker” and “Waves” (crabs dwell within the ocean) to search 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 definitely 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 residing 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 recognized it was Wasp from the primary notice final week!

In relation to this one evening of performances, the gents undoubtedly dominated. Each Goo and Wasp actually introduced lots of coronary heart and energy to their performances. We have been just a little extra combined when it got here to Bluebell and Chess Piece. Primarily based on the earlier two weeks, although, we would have to offer it to Bluebell as she was much more constant vocally.

Ultimately, the studio viewers and panel acquired this one proper. Whereas we’re unhappy to see Chess Piece go, now we have to agree that of the remaining singers on this group, she simply wasn’t as much as their stage globally. She’s fabulous and an incredible 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 fallacious she was. Sadly, Robin was simply as fallacious along with his guess. In actual fact, 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.