‘The Masked Singer’ Season 12, Episode 5 Recap: Chess Piece Revealed

SPOILER ALERT: Details to follow for Season 12, Episode 5 of “The Masked Singer,” “Barbie Night,” which aired Oct. 23 on Fox.

Check size. “Orange Is the New Black” star Laverne Cox was the next celebrity eliminated from “The Masked Singer,” revealed as the celebrity under the chess piece costume on Wednesday’s episode.

None of the panelists got it right. Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg said it was Serena Williams. Ken Jeong thought it was Issa Rae. Robin Thicke mentioned Misty Copeland. Rita Ora said it was Tyra Banks.

“As a child, I was a rich target for others to tease. It seemed like every piece of me was something for others to poke at,” Cox-as-Chess-Piece said in her “Masked Singer” voiceover. “And besides, I loved Barbie. But what hurt was that I wasn’t allowed to play with her. The criticism and criticism continued over the years and made me question everything I love about myself. So I had to take control of my own government. And the one thing that helped me heal was the one thing I was missing all the time: Barbie. I started buying them for myself and realized that it is never too late to have a happy childhood. Even decades later. And now they even modeled one after me. Barbie can be anything. She made me and every woman feel that we too can be anything. So tonight I’m here to celebrate us all. Every woman out there.”

Cox sang Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman” for her performance on this week’s episode. “Barbie Night” opened with panelists McCarthy-Wahlberg, Thicke and Ora taking the stage and being told they were the best. Off to the side, a forlorn Jeong sang his version of “I’m Just Ken,” from the “Barbie” movie.

Laverne Cox as Chess Piece joins Andy Richter as Dusty Bunny, Paula Cole as Ship, Marsai Martin as Woodpecker, Yvette Nicole Brown as Showbird and John Elway as Leaf Sheep as the celebrities unmasked in Season 12 of ‘The Masked Singer’ .

Last week, Cox sang Cher’s “Believe” and offered this voiceover: “Look, I love a fashion moment.” I just never thought I would be here. There were times when I felt like a pawn without protection. People have doubted me my whole life. But I had to believe in myself. And make bold moves across the board to secure my crown and that leadership role that changed my game.”

Returning for season 12 are host Nick Cannon, alongside 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). And the “Ding Dong Keep It On” bell sounds again this morning, but only one singer can be saved across the three group finals.

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.

These were the first performances of Group B in Wednesday’s episode 4, ‘Sports Evening’:

Bell

Song: ‘Dance the night’ by Dua Lipa

Panel guesses: Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway, Lindsay Lohan

Barbie clue: Astronaut. “Since my arrival, I have been ready to take you out of this world.”

Bluebell voiceover: “Barbie believes you can be anything. And as a young seedling, I believed I could become a star. I even wrote a list of all my goals and never doubted that they would manifest. So when I got my first break, I thought, what could go wrong? The answer? Everything. My career withered, the money dried up and I found myself struggling to pick up the sticks. But I never stopped believing in myself. So I started watering a new talent, and suddenly a new career blossomed. And now I never miss a chance to dance the night away. Because every moment in life is blue.”

Previous issue: “We Belong,” by Pat Benatar

Previous panel estimates: Taylor Momsen, Elle Goulding, Paris Hilton, Leighton Meester

Gunk

Song: ‘Miss Independent’ by Ne-Yo

Panel guesses: Al Green, Cee-lo Green, Kirk Franklin, Johnny Gill

Barbie clue: Malibu Barbie House. “This here is a dream house. That suits Robin very well. Because I know he’s a fan.”

Good voice-over: “You know, Barbie is all about empowering young women. By showing them that you can achieve your dreams. And there is one go-getter in my life: my future Mrs. Goo. I’ll tell you how we first met. At a theme park where I was ironically frustrated and grumpy. I was on my guard. I was sitting alone on a bench cooking when I looked up and saw her hand. She asked me to dance. And I immediately melted with kindness, playfulness and self-confidence. I realized in that one moment that I had met my mushy match. And I can’t wait to see her Mr. next year. To become goo. Now she has encouraged me to be as playful as she is by doing this! This performance represents her as the most independent woman. The most romantic gesture? Before we say ‘I Goo.’

Previous issue: “Lose Control,” by Teddy Swims

Previous panel estimates: Jon Batiste, Shaboozey, Khalid

Wasp

Song: ‘Skyscraper’ by Demi Lovato

Panel guesses: Miguel, Frank Ocean, Daveed Diggs

Barbie clue: Puppets on stage. “Every minute I’m there, I’m taking my live performances to new heights.”

Wasp voiceover: “Barbie may have her own dream house, and so do I. But it took me a while to realize it. I lived with more than a dozen other family members. All scammers. There was so much noise and love in the house, but one thing was missing: and that was my father. Without his guidance, I felt like I had no purpose. So when I set out into the world as a young wasp with big dreams, I had to learn to stand on my own two feet. When I finally grew up, I came back home and my whole family was there. Including, to my great surprise, my father. And when I talked to him one-on-one, he told me he was proud of me. And for the first time I felt like I had unlimited potential. For every hard memory in the house, there was a good one. And above all, I cherished my dreams here. So I guess it was a dream house after all.

Previous issue: ‘Rock Your Body’ by Justin Timberlake

Previous panel estimates: Taye Diggs, Bruno Mars, Jason Derulo

Chess piece

Song: “I am every woman,” by Chaka Khan

Panel guesses: Tyra Banks, Misty Copeland, Issa Rae

Barbie clue: Barbie makeup mirror set. “I actually have this toy at home, but it’s the life-size version.”

Voice-over chess piece: “As a child, I was a rich target for others to tease. It seemed like every part of me was something for others to poke at. And besides, I loved Barbie. But what hurt was that I wasn’t allowed to play with her. The criticism and criticism continued over the years and made me question everything I love about myself. So I had to take control of my own government. And the one thing that helped me heal was the one thing I was missing all the time: Barbie. I started buying them for myself and realized that it is never too late to have a happy childhood. Even decades later. And now they even modeled one after me. Barbie can be anything. She made me and every woman feel that we too can be anything. So tonight I’m here to celebrate us all. Every woman out there.”

Previous issue: “Faith,” by Cher

Previous panel estimates: Serena Williams, Regina King, Ashley Graham

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.