Season 12’s dramatic reveals continue: ‘The Masked Singer’ unmasked

SPOILER ALERT: Details for Season 12, Episode 5 of “The Masked Singer,” aired October 23, which was themed as “Barbie Night.”

Laverne Cox revealed as the chess piece

Check mate. In a stunning reveal, Laverne Cox, known for her outstanding performance in “Orange Is the New Black,” was unmasked as the Chess Piece on the latest episode of “The Masked Singer.” The episode, aptly named “Barbie Night,” saw the star take off her intricate costume after a captivating performance.

Panelists’ guesses miss the mark

Despite the wealth of clues provided throughout the show, none of the panelists correctly identified Cox. Their guesses included:

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

Laverne cox’s heartfelt confession

In her voiceover as the Chess Piece, a reflective Cox shared her childhood struggles. “As a kid, I was a rich target for others to tease. Every piece of me seemed like something others could poke at,” she lamented. Cox also reminisced about her love for Barbie, explaining how societal scrutiny made her question her self-worth over the years. “I realized it’s never too late to have a happy childhood,” she said, celebrating her journey of self-healing and empowerment.

Highlight performance: Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman”

Cox delivered a powerful rendition of Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman” on this week’s Barbie Night. The night began with high spirits as panelists McCarthy-Wahlberg, Thicke, and Ora opened the show on an encouraging note, leaving a forlorn Jeong to humorously sing “I’m Just Ken” from the recent “Barbie” movie.

Other celebrities unmasked this season

Cox’s unmasking added her to a growing list of celebrities revealed in Season 12. These include:

• Andy Richter as Dusty Bunny
• Paula Cole as Ship
• Marsai Martin as Woodpecker
• Yvette Nicole Brown as Showbird
• John Elway as Leaf Sheep

A nostalgic Barbie Night

In a touching tribute, Cox explained how her experience on the show reconnects her to her childhood love for Barbie. “Barbie can be anything. She made me and every woman feel like we can be anything too,” Cox expressed, embodying the theme of empowerment.

Themed episodes continue to shine

Season 12 features some exciting themes that both honor iconic pop culture milestones and introduce new celebratory nights. Some notable mentions are:

• Barbie Night: Celebrating Barbie’s 65th anniversary.
• Footloose Tribute: Marking the film’s 40th anniversary.
• Miley Cyrus Tribute: An episode devoted to her musical journey.
• Who Are You Fest: Featuring memorable festival lineups.
• Sports Night and 60s Night.

Returning favorites such as “Soundtrack of My Life” and “Thanksgiving Night” are also included in the lineup, making the season truly dynamic and diverse.

Enhanced clue strategy

This season introduces a new, intricate way of embedding clues in the show. Clues are strategically integrated into costumes, song choices, and on-stage moments, adding a layer of challenge and excitement for both the panelists and the viewers.

Celebrity masked ambassador program

Each contestant is endorsed by a celebrity Masked Ambassador, former participants of the show. Notable ambassadors include:

• Dick Van Dyke: Season 9’s Gnome
• Jewel: Season 6 winner as the Queen of Hearts
• Ne-Yo: Season 10 winner as the Cow
• DeMarcus Ware: Season 11’s Koala

The return of the ‘Ding Dong Keep It On’ bell

Adding to the thrilling twists of the competition, the ‘Ding Dong Keep It On’ bell is back. However, only one singer across all group finals can be saved this time around, ramping up the stakes higher than ever.

An ensemble of creative new costumes

Season 12 introduces 15 contestants donning imaginative new costumes, including:

• Ship
• Leaf Sheep
• Woodpecker
• Chess Piece
• Bluebell
• Buffalo
• Showbird
• Dust Bunny
• Goo
• Strawberry Shortcake

Recap of the first Group B performances on ‘Sports Night’

Bluebell shines with dua lipa’s “Dance the Night”

Bluebell captivated the audience with a shimmering performance of Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night.” This performance left the panel guessing between Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway, and Lindsay Lohan, with a clue hinting at an astronaut theme.

Goo’s soulful ne-yo cover

Goo sang “Miss Independent” by Ne-Yo, with panelists guessing figures such as Al Green, Cee-Lo Green, and Johnny Gill. A Malibu Barbie house clue was dropped, capturing the essence of a dream abode.

Wasp’s graceful demi lovato ballad

Wasp delivered a poignant performance of Demi Lovato’s “Skyscraper,” prompting panel guesses like Miguel, Frank Ocean, and Daveed Diggs. Wasp’s narration shared a heartfelt journey from a noisy household of hustlers to finding her independent voice.

The Masked Singer continues to surprise and delight, delivering unforgettable performances and keeping audiences guessing with its array of talented, masked celebrities. Don’t miss out on future episodes, as this season promises more music, mystery, and marvelous revelations. Keep following for all the latest updates and highlights from your favorite shows.

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