Chess Piece is one of the undercover celebrities participating in this season of The Masked Singer! (Photo property of FOX)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The Masked Singer is back!
America’s favorite undercover celebrity singing competition is back for Season 12! This season, 15 superstars have donned colorful and outlandish costumes to perform for the show’s iconic Golden Mask Trophy. For the first time in show history, clues will be strategically placed in costumes, song choices, and on-stage moments. Also, these performers are endorsed by Masked Ambassadors, who are former contestants!
Tonight, Season 12’s Group A (Buffalo, Leaf Sheep, Ship, Showbird, and Woodpecker) made their Masked Singer debuts! Which four performers were one step closer to joining T-Pain, Kandi Burress, Jewel, Nick Lachey, Ne-Yo, and Vanessa Hudgens in the Winners’ Circle? Who was forced to unmask? Did panelists Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Robin Thicke, and Rita Ora correctly deduce the eliminated performer’s identity? Read on to find out!
Season Eight’s Knight Mask (William Shatner) started the evening by sharing the Masked Ambassadors news and revealed that Season 12 will have its most prominent performers in series history. Now permanent panelist Rita Ora performed “Who Can It Be Now?” as a montage of unmasked celebrities crossed the screen.
Buffalo Mask was the first performer of The Masked Singer: Season 12. He walked out to Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’s “Old Town Road.” Buffalo’s Masked Ambassador was Season Five winner Nick Lachey, and the character knew both Betty White and Vanna White. He also attended Nick Lachey’s Super Bowl parties. There were three Buffaloes who delivered an epic cover of “Died In Your Arms Tonight,” which reminded me of Boyz II Men. Nick Lachey sent a crown to the Buffaloes as a “Good Luck Gift.” Jenny thought it was B2K, while Rita Ora thought it was Earth, Wind and Fire. Robin thought it was the other three members of 98 Degrees.
Woodpecker Mask made her Masked Singer debut by strutting to “Knock on Wood.” Season 11’s Jenifer Lewis is her Masked Ambassador and has known Woodpecker since she started in the industry. She became friends with Beyonce, and other clues contained a “family” sign and a S.A.T. card. She sang Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers,” I thought it was Kesha. Ms. Lewis gave her a “world record” plaque. Ken thought it was Willow Smith, while Rita suggested her colleague Cardi B. Meanwhile, Robin brought Keke Palmer into the conversation.
Leaf Sheep debuted, and it was the most uncanny costume I have seen in the past six years. Season 11’s DeMarcus Ware was the Leaf Sheep’s Masked Ambassadors. The clues included a quarterback, a cowboy hat, and a guitar pick. He also ran in the same circle as DeMarcus Ware. Okay, he butchered Tim McGraw’s “I Like, I Love It,” and I wanted to buzz him. The NFL superstar gifted Leaf Sheep a “Hall of Fame” trophy. Jenny suggested Tom Brady, and Ken added John Elway to the mix. Robin thought Troy Aikman was behind the mask.
Showbird Mask strutted her stuff on the Masked Singer stage. Longtime guest panelist Joel McHale is her Masked Ambassador. Her clues included “a judge gavel” and a book called Advanced Singing. She sang Mary J. Blige’s “I’m Fine.” I am guessing this is Yvette Nicole Brown under the costume. Joel gave Showbird a bowl of popcorn, and Ken assumed it was Jennifer Hudson. Rita thought it was Taraji P. Henson, while Robin thought it was Kerry Washington.
Ship Mask made their debut and sang Bastille’s “Pompeii.“ Immediately, I got goosebumps and jumped to music legend Annie Lennox! It was one of the best performances I have seen over the past few years. She made her Masked Ambassador, Season Six champion Jewel, very proud. Jenny predicted that she could be the Golden Mask receiver. Ship received a “Cowboy Hat” from the former Queen of Hearts. Rita guessed Cyndi Lauper, while Jenny and Robin thought it was Joan Osbourne. Robin also suggested Enya.
After the panel and Masked Singer studio audience voted, Leaf Sheep was the first celebrity to be unmask. Robin doubled down his guess of Troy Aikman, while Rita Ora thought it was Billy Bob Thorton. Both Ken and Jenny doubled down their respective guesses of John Elway and Tom Brady!
Leaf Sheep Mask WAS….JOHN ELWAY! (Way to go, Ken!!)
Next week, Group A will perform on Footloose night!
