This post contains spoilers from Thursday’s episode ofThe Masked Singer.
Hitting the books!The Masked Singer’s two-night premiere continued with a Back-to-School themed Thursday night.
“This has been exhilarating,” the actress, 57, said after being unmasked. “I challenged myself. You know, I’ve done so many things in my career, and I’ve never done anything like this before.”
Vivica A. Fox as Mother Nature.Michael Becker/FOX; Leon Bennett/Getty
The formerSoul Traindancer also had some words for judgesKen Jeong,Jenny McCarthy,Nicole ScherzingerandRobin Thicke. “I want to say to the panel, obviously, you guys are all amazing,” Fox said. “Keep making dreams come true and having a great time doing it. I love you all!”
Before the remaining Group A singers — and two new wildcard contestants — took the stage, Cannon, 40, introducedthe Take It Off Buzzerto the panelists. “If you’re 100 percent certain you know the identity of a singer, you can hit the Take If Off Buzzer,” he explained. “And if you’re right, the singer must unmask on the spot and will be sent home immediately.”
If a judge predicts correctly, they’ll receive two extra points towards the Golden Ear trophy. But if they guess incorrectly, the panelist will be “sufficiently punished,” according to Cannon. And only one judge can use the Take It Off Buzzer per group.
Group A kicked off Thursday night’s round of performances with wildcard contestant Hamster. “Unfortunately, my body is shaped very much like a hamster,” Hamster said in his clue package. “And also I felt stuck in a bit of a wheel going round and round.” Visual clues included jumping jacks, a carrot and a poster for Alcatraz Island. Hamster also said, “I’m kind of like the guy who’s always jumping from one project to the next with my famous friends.”
Hamster put their spin on “Pretty Woman” and earned guesses of comedic actorsTim Allen,Jack Black, Albert Brooks,Brendan Fraser,Kelsey Grammer,Bill Murrayand Andy Richter. When McCarthy, 48, suggestedDanny DeVito, Hamster retorted, “I’m way f—ing taller.”
For an additional clue, Cannon brought out Hamster’s locker — sticking with the school theme — to reveal a baseball bat and a stuffed animal strawberry. “It’s sunny and I like to play baseball,” Hamster said.
Michael Becker/FOX.
Skunk then talked in their clue package about being a whiz kid back in their school days. “School was always easy for me,” Skunk said. “I had a full-ride scholarship when I got some unexpected news that changed everything. I was forced to take a different course but I learned life lessons I’d never get in the classroom.” The video showed books titledU.S. Government,Expect the Unexpected,Big Book of ActingandIron Out Your Swing. Despite having to put their dreams on hold, Skunk said, “That pivot in my life was the greatest degree I could ever get.”
The black-and-white critter crooned a version of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” that caused Thicke, 44, to declare that Skunk possessed “the voice of God.” Skunk’s locker contained French finals, squad tryouts and a projector. “Because of miseducation, I am always ready for the action,” Skunk said.
The “miseducation” reference caused the judges to toss outLauryn Hillas a possibility for Skunk’s identity, along with Yolanda Adams,Fantasia Barrinoand Jill Scott.
Next, Pufferfish revealed that they couldn’t listen to music or go to the movies during their school-age years because “my household was very religious.” “When I first rose to fame, I definitely turned heads,” Pufferfish continued in their clue package that also showcased a diary and a cardinal. “Some of the things I wore got people talking back at church.”
The panel tossed outDarren Criss,Justin Timberlake, Brandon Flowers, Rufus Wainwright,Kevin JonasandZac Efronas possibilities for Bull.
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Finally, it came time for the studio audience, panelists and superfans at home to vote for their favorite Group A performance. When the vote came in, Cannon couldn’t believe the results.
“This might be the biggest upset inMasked Singerhistory,” he said.
Cannon proceeded to reveal that Pufferfish would be taking off their spiky mask. Underneath:Toni Braxton, who wore a face mask under her costume to stay safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Toni Braxton as Pufferfish.Michael Becker/FOX; David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty
“I had to be extra cautious,” the singer and actress, 53, said.
Still, Braxton enjoyed her time on the show. “It was so much fun,” she said. “You took me away from being so scaredy cat and thinking about this whole thing that’s going on. It was nice to feel light for a moment.”
The Masked Singermoves back to Tuesdays (8 p.m. ET) on Fox next week.
source: people.com
