‘The Masked Singer’ Season 12 Episode 2 Recap: Showbird Revealed

SPOILER ALERT: Details to follow for Season 12, Episode 2 of “The Masked Singer,” “Footloose Night,” which aired October 2 on Fox.

Wednesday night’s unveiling of “The Masked Singer” was an emotional one for “” star Yvette Nicole Brown, who was unmasked as Showbird in Episode 2 of Season 12. While Brown was taping the episode, she was also dealing with some personal matters regarding the care of her father.

“Some of it felt heavy because I’m singing, but I’m like, ‘Is Dad OK?’” she said Variety. “But by the time I was revealed, I was able to let all of that go. Plus, I got to surprise Ken, and it was everything I hoped it would be!

That’s “Ken,” as in “The Masked Singer” panelist Ken Jeong, Brown’s “Community” co-star who, of course, got her right. Of the other panelists, Robin Thicke agreed with Jeong, while Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg thought it was Taraji P. Henson. Rita Ora said it was Shiela E.

Brown sang Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero” for her final performance. “Music is very important to me, and it was my first love,” Brown said. “I started as a singer. I got signed to Motown as a teenager, but it didn’t happen for me then. There was pain, like a scar in that space. And so I kind of pushed it away, like I was grabbing my ball and going home, and was determined never to sing like myself again. I will sing like a character. I’ll sing for acting, but I’ll never do it as Yvette again, and technically I didn’t do it as Yvette this time as Showbird. But it was nice to take a step back in a safe place from something I really loved.”

Yvette Nicole Brown as Showbird joins John Elway as Leaf Sheep as the celebrities unmasked in season 12 of “The Masked Singer.”

With experience in hand, Brown said she might be willing to dip her toes into the professional singing waters again — perhaps initially as a backup artist. “I want to encourage everyone who has been asked to do ‘The Masked Singer.’ If you’re a chicken like me and you’re scared to do it, say yes, it would be one of the best experiences you’ve ever had in this crazy business,” she added.

And yes, Brown confirmed once again that she will indeed be back in the upcoming “Community” movie as Shirley. “Everyone comes back,” she said. “Everyone is excited and it’s going to be great.”

“Footloose’ Night” opened with Thicke singing the film’s theme song, as originally performed by Kenny Loggins.

Returning for season 12 is host Nick Cannon, along with panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke, while Ora also returned to the desk for the second consecutive season to fill in for Nicole Scherzinger.

The themed episodes from Season 12 of “The Masked Singer” include tributes to Mattel’s Barbie, which is celebrating its 65th anniversary, and the movie “Footloose,” which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Miley Cyrus will also be honored with an episode dedicated to her music catalogue, while also new is a ‘Who Are You Fest’, featuring music from ‘memorable festival line-ups’, as well as a ‘Sports Night’ and a ’60’s Night’. ” Tentpole themes that are back include “Soundtrack of My Life” and “Thanksgiving Night.”

New this season, cues will be “strategically embedded in costumes, song choices and moments on stage.” And the fifteen celebrity contestants will be supported by a “celebrity Masked Ambassador,” made up of past contestants including Dick Van Dyke (Season 9 Gnome), Jewel (Season 6 winner as the Queen of Hearts), Ne-yo (Winner of season 10). as the cow) and DeMarcus Ware (Koala from season 11).

In season 12, 15 contestants perform in new costumes, including ‘Ship’, ‘Leaf Sheep’, ‘Woodpecker’, ‘Chess Piece’, ‘Bluebell’, ‘Buffalo’, ‘Showbird’, ‘Dust Bunny’, ‘Goo’ , ‘Strawberry Shortcake” and more.

Here were Group A’s remaining performances in Wednesday’s Episode 2, “Footloose Night”:

Show bird

Song: “Let’s keep it for the boy here,” by Deniece Williams

Panel guesses: Yvette Nicole Brown, Taraji P. Henson

Note: Music box with dance music. “That’s more my feeling. Because I was part of a hip-hop empire in 94.

Voiceover from Showbird: “I always knew that if I had the opportunity to do something for the light, I would do something good with it. So when I got that opportunity, work became my whole life. I was married to it. But I couldn’t help but feel like maybe something was missing. Real love. The kind Ren and Ariel found in “Footloose.” Recently I reconnected with an old friend, who unexpectedly became my love bird. Not you, Colton. He encouraged me to rekindle my first flame, a flame I gave up for twenty years: singing. But his love has helped me find that carefree confidence again. Which led me here. So tonight, let’s talk about this for my baby. My love bird.”

Previous issue: “Just Good,” by Mary J. Blige

Previous panel estimates: Jennifer Hudson, Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington

The ship

Song: ‘Almost Paradise’, by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson

Panel guesses: Kate Bush, Sarah McLachlan, Amy Grant, Sheryl Crow

Clue: Melissa Etheridge, Whoopi Goldberg and Kevin Bacon. “I’m three degrees removed from Kevin Bacon. I’m connected to Melissa Etheridge, who is connected to Whoopi Goldberg, who co-starred with Kevin Bacon in “Destination Anywhere.”

The ship’s voice-over: “As the lyrics of ‘Footloose’ say, everyone takes off their Sunday shoes. Easy, right? Well, not if you’re a ship in a trunk. In high school, I was a star cheerleader, class president, and was even voted prom queen. So when I injured my foot and the doctor told me to sit on the sidelines for a whole year, my heart sank. My frustration led me to the family piano. Where I could sit and play for hours. It was my therapy. I channeled my sadness, my joy, my expression. Music became my paradise. And it has been a healing source ever since. The good news is that the only boots I wear these days are leather. And made for dancing. And tonight I feel like I’m knocking on heaven’s door.”

Previous issue: “Pompeii”, by Bastille

Previous panel estimates: Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osbourne, Enya, Sarah McLachlan

Woodpecker

Song: “Holding on for a Hero,” by Bonnie Tyler

Panel guesses: Letitia Wright, Willow Smith, Regina King

Clue: Kevin Bacon’s shoes from “Footloose.” “Another bird from ‘The Masked Singer’ family shares their stylish shoe obsession with me.”

Woodpecker voiceover: “Just like in ‘Footloose,’ I know a thing or two about fighting for what you believe in. As a young girl, while most kids were playing in treehouses, I was planting roots in Hollywood. Growing up in front of the whole world was difficult. From learning to wear heels to flirting with boys, God forbid uttering a swear word. Everyone was involved in my affairs and treated me like I was their child. It’s one thing when your mother tells you what to do. And another thing when everyone around you chirps along. I always remained stubborn and danced to the growing pains of my own pace. And in turn, I have young birds who follow in my footsteps and see me as their hero. But my advice? You can be your own hero too. And tonight I sing a song that has always helped me celebrate me. I hope it will be a knockout”

Previous issue: ‘Flowers’, by Miley Cyrus

Previous panel estimates: Willow Smith, Cardi B, Halle Bailey, Keke Palmer

Buffaloes

Song: “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” by Foreigner

Panel guesses: Call Biv DeVoe, 112, Boyz II Men, Big Time Rush

Clue: “Mo-Town.” “We are a little tired now because we are busy using this tractor to mow lawns all over the city.”

Voiceover from Buffalo: “You know how when someone tells you you can’t do something, you just want to do it more? Well, just like those kids in ‘Footloose’ who long to dance, we’re all rebels in our own way. Somehow we found each other along the way. Everyone told us we couldn’t just do our thing. But we didn’t listen. We succeeded by not worrying about what people think. Do you think we’re corny? Who cares. We are rich! And if you think we take ourselves too seriously, look at us. We’re here dressed as a pair of Wrestlemania buffalos and about to sing a song from “Footloose.” We’re funny as hell! You do that too and don’t let anyone tell you who or what you should be. On that note, here’s a love song to show you how corny and rich we are!

Previous issue: “(I just) Died In Your Arms,” by Cutting Crew

Previous panel estimates: B2K, Earth Wind and Fire, 98 degrees

Last season’s performers included Vanessa Hudgens, who won the season 11 crown as Goldfish, beating out Scott Porter, who had performed as Gumball. Other performers included Thelma Houston (Clock), Chrissy Metz (Poodle Moth), Corey Feldman (Seal) and Clay Aiken/Ruben Studdard (Beets), Jenifer Lewis (Miss Cleocatra), Kate Flannery (Starfish), Charlie Wilson (Ugly Sweater), DeMarcus Ware (Koala), Colton Underwood (Love Bird), Sisqó (Lizard), Billy Bush (Sir Lion), Joe Bastianich (Spaghetti & Meatballs), Savannah Chrisley (Afghan Hound) and Kevin Hart (Book).

“The Masked Singer” comes from Fox Alternative Entertainment. Rosie Seitchik, Craig Plestis and Cannon are executive producers, while Seitchik serves as showrunner. The series is based on the South Korean format created by Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp.