Jack-in-the-Box Queen Cobra, Space Bunny, Baby Mammoth, and Prince enter the competition -- but only one can win to face off against Firefly and Ringmaster in the finale.
All season long, there has been one name, one controversial figure, and two alleged dramatic protests looming over “The Masked Singer.”
While it was reported this controversial unmasking, and the alleged walk-offs of both Ken and Robin after ther reveal, was the first of the season, it’s quite possible that the air order of this season’s groups has been shuffled. And this is the first round of the final group.
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View StorySo does that mean the moment happens tonight? Well, either it does, or the production team got realy creative with their edit -- or decided to excise that contestant altogether to avoid another round of controversy when they got unmasked on television. We’ll all have to find out together.
With Ringmaster and Firefly already securing their spots in the finale, it was time for five new masks to enter the competition and vie to go mask-to-mask-to-mask with them for the Season 7 Golden Mask trophy. Will it be Jack-in-the-Box, Queen Cobra, Space Bunny, Baby Mammoth, or Prince?
Let’s jump right in with this week’s masks. And don’t worry, before we get to the shocking unmasking, we're going to make you power through the terrible (and occasionally good) guesses made by our illustrious panel of Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong and Nicole Scherzinger first. We do this because we love ... to torture you.
Along with the panel’s guesses, we'll be sharing some internet speculation, too, so if you don't want to be potentially spoiled (because they are very good at this), you may want to skip past the guesses sections.
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View StoryTEAM GOOD: PRINCE
(“La Copa de la Vida,” Ricky Martin) Prince was a huge surprise, dropping respectable Spanish pronunciation and style as he tackled this classic like it was written for him. He has a smoothness to his voice that certainly sounds professional caliber, and he’s got moves on that stage for days.
Guesses: With a little bit of salsa and a lot of wiggle, it seems safe to guess that Prince has some dance experience, so if he’s not a singer, maybe he’s a multi-talented dancer. Still, he carried himself like someone who’s done that exact thing, so singer/dancer is more likely.
His clue package took us back to the VHS with an ‘80s-style “Total Body Workout.” The judges picked up on his “Reach and Bend” move as being “R&B,” while we noticed the $20.06 price tag, probably signifying that year. Other visual clues included a red ball labeled “Mars,” a teddy bear and a massive diamond ring. Is it finally The Rock!
He revealed that he’s performed in front of people many times, but called this “the most bonkers” thing he’s ever been part of. He said he’s “happy to be back on a team” and hopes to “knock it out of the park.”
Going by voice alone, and the 2006 clue, Ken wondered if this wasn’t “Hero” singer Enrique Iglesias; Nicole was right there with him. Robin heard that, too, but wondered if perhaps Derek Jeter has a secret (and incredible) talent for singing.
Jenny went down a similar path, with the diamond ring representing both a baseball diamond and perhaps the rock that Alex Rodriguez took back from Jennifer Lopez when they called off their engagement. Another multi-talented baller?
Jamie Lee Curtis then dropped in via video, referring to himself as both her “final girl” and “your queen,” so is it just a close friend, or a big-screen collaborator? As for Twitter, they're not feeling confident yet on their guesses, though they are feeling this performance.
We got some guesses echoing the panel, as well as some additional baseball players like Adam Wainwright and Johnny Damon, along with some non-sports guesses like Jonathon Groff and Matthew Morrison, and Cheyenne Jackson (who does have a JLC connection).
For the Prince: Jamie Lee Curtis and Cheyenne Jackson are in an upcoming movie, “Borderlands”…and I can see them using a “Call Me Kat” actor as cross-promotion. #TheMaskedSinger
— Pamela Maine (@pjmaine2) April 21, 2022 @pjmaine2
If Jamie lee Curtis knows the prince well it has to be Michael Myers.
— Alex R. (@AlexTheGreatzz) April 21, 2022 @AlexTheGreatzz
😂😂 #TheMaskedSinger #MaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/3n8pNwl8X0
Me shook that the Frog Prince is THAT good 😱 #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/IHKb6nGdZs
— Caitlin (@kikabelle) April 21, 2022 @kikabelle
The Frog Prince is Adam Wainwright. He played on the 2006 Champions St. Louis Cardinals, he's really tall (6'7"), and he's a singer (putting out an album). That's my guess. #TheMaskedSinger
— Paul Baker (@PuckmanRI) April 21, 2022 @PuckmanRI
I think #themaskedsinger prince is @JohnnyDamon! Number 18 with the Yankees and they won the WS in 2006.
— Emma (@ek_430) April 21, 2022 @ek_430
Well I was on board with the athlete theory for Prince.
— Nightingale (@FlowNightingale) April 21, 2022 @FlowNightingale
And then he opened his mouth.
This guy has AMAZING breath control, so if he isn't a professional singer, he's been trained.
11/10 would listen to Prince sing again.#TheMaskedSinger
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View StoryTEAM CUDDLY: BABY MAMMOTH
(“Walkin’ After Midnight,” Patsy Cline) Baby Mammoth didn’t offer anything incredible, but she gave us a very competent vocal performance. The arrangement was very limited in scope, as were his moves on the stage, so he’s not a professional by any means. But he also wasn’t horribly out of tune or rhythm, which was nice.
Guesses: This clue-mercial was all about hair care, with Baby Mammoth saying it took two products to strengthen her confidence and her hair. Speaking of two, we saw the number “2” on a silver medal, as well as a “Cheer” megaphone and a book of matches.
She also threw around the words “strong,” “unbreakable,” and “iconic,” which could be for shilling shampoo and conditioner, or words that have been famously associated with her career. Speaking of words, “they told me I could do anything on this stage except poop.”
A pretty unexpected line, which she followed by saying that although you can poop in the circus, you can’t do it on this show. So good advice in general, but was that just her being in character as a baby, or is there an actual clue in that doo-doo?
Baby Mammoth also said that although she’s “gotten lots of silver” he wants to “go for the gold.” Ken wondered if this could be Nancy Kerrigan, who got more fame for having her knee bashed in by Tonya Harding than even her silver at the Olympics. Jenny asked him, “But what if it’s Tonya Harding?”
Nicole considered the sultriness of that voice to “Romancing the Stone” star Kathleen Turner, but Robin wondered if “it takes two” because “Three’s Company” … so, Suzanne Somers? Baby Mammoth jumped in to ask if anyone was saying she’s fat because “I just lost 300 pounds.” Is that a huge clue, or just a joke. If that’s real, that would narrow it down considerably.
Robin, though, looked at all the talking balloons/bubbles (like a comic book) and wondered if it was someone famous for gab before setting on Rachael Ray. Online, Twitter was actually digging Ken's gut reaction that this is Nancy Kerrigan ... much to their surprise.
There were a few other guesses like Leslie Jordan and Mary Lou Retton (yeah, but they're tiny!), but Ken's is definitely the front-runner. The other most popular guess online is Kirstie Alley, with the "2" representing her film, "It Takes Two."
They also spent a lot of time fawning over the costume, which we can't blame at all. It's easily one of the most adorable ever, from how it looks to even how it moves. And she's clearly having a blast, embracing the silliness of it all.
Baby Mammoth has to be Nancy Kerrigan. You are right on this one Ken Jeong !! #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/05T4UHyihK
— uric83 (@uric83) April 21, 2022 @uric83
I can't believe I'm saying this but I agree with Ken for Baby Mammoth. I think it's Nancy Kerrigan.#TheMaskedSinger
— Nightingale (@FlowNightingale) April 21, 2022 @FlowNightingale
Baby Mammoth better not be someone objectionable because this costume is the cutest and I love them. #TheMaskedSinger
— Jennifer (@Jen_naaay) April 21, 2022 @Jen_naaay
Baby Mammoth is HILARIOUS! #themaskedsinger pic.twitter.com/lPDS0Fvbau
— SoccerLover23 (@soccer_lover23) April 21, 2022 @soccer_lover23
Baby Mammoth has to be the most adorable costume I’ve ever seen. If I had to take a guess, I’d say Baby Mammoth is @marylouretton. #TheMaskedSinger
— miranda ✿ (@introvert_412) April 21, 2022 @introvert_412
I'm throwing out a crazy guess but I think Baby Mammoth is Kirstie Alley.
— chanél aka the bad catholic guy ❤️🔥 (@badcatholicguy) April 21, 2022 @badcatholicguy
She was in It Takes Two.#TheMaskedSinger
Baby Mammoth is so STINKING CUTE 🥺 #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/9GtFErfJft
— Caitlin (@kikabelle) April 21, 2022 @kikabelle
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View StoryTEAM BAD: QUEEN COBRA
(“Good as Hell,” Lizzo) Queen Cobra gave us so much personality, but also a killer vocal performance on a track with lots of attitude and swagger. She was all over it. We’re not sure if the five other queens were just backup dancers or part of her act, but the whole thing was stellar. She’s definitely a professional singer -- or should be one!
Guesses: While her clue-mercial was about coffee, it opened on a trio of baddies skulking near bags of garbage and metal trash cans. One was dressed as Captain Hook, while we also saw a picture of a rocket ship, a bag of cash a la an old-timey bank robbery.
There was also a photo of Bradley Cooper -- cue Lady Gaga guesses -- as well as lots of comic book sound effects like the old 1960s “Batman” series (and that Batman logo). She was all about “attack” and “action,” too, totally evading Nick asking if she was one performer, six, or somewhere in between. And she had great stage presence and gave body even in delivering those lines.
Jenny saw two cobras in the package, as well as the 1990s, wondering if maybe this was Brandy and Monica. But Ken couldn’t let go of all those comic book and Batman references, instead wondering if maybe it’s Anne Hathaway, who did portray Catwoman and has an amazing voice.
We’re not even entertaining the Jada and Willow guess because we just don’t think it’s going to happen. But we're also not entertaining the Pussycat Dolls guess because it's just too meta. Who's the main one, then? Also, shouldn't Nicole know those voices immediately?
Other guesses we saw online included Sheryl Lee Ralph, Vanessa Williams, Anne Hathaway and Cindy Herron. In other words, while they were blown away by her performance, and her figure, they've no idea at all who she is.
I just feel like queen cobra is the other pussycat dolls members #themaskedsinger
— ★ sagittarius★ (@nikola_minik) April 21, 2022 @nikola_minik
Queen Cobra is Sheryl Lee Ralph. #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/8fAFXTsFkK
— Bangelo Dundee (@bangelodundee) April 21, 2022 @bangelodundee
I think Queen Cobra is Vanessa Williams. #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/lst00cMIV4
— Judy Jetson🚀👩🏾🚀 (@euphoric_mimi) April 21, 2022 @euphoric_mimi
Ok queen cobra next sis got a body wow #themaskedsinger
— Ana 🌸💞💐 (@photolover82) April 21, 2022 @photolover82
#QueenCobra sounds like #CindyHerron from @EnVogueMusic. They were very successful in the 90's and beyond. #TheMaskedSinger
— Shenikwa Simmons LMT (@ThaWealthyChick) April 21, 2022 @ThaWealthyChick
Miss queen cobra slayed that performance!!! Definitely my favorite of the night with baby mammoth! #TheMaskedSinger
— Gaby ♡’s Jonah (@jonahsdove) April 21, 2022 @jonahsdove
Maybe Queen Cobra is Zoe Saldana cus of the Rocketship (Star Trek or Guardians of the Galaxy), Bradley Cooper (dated), and the Pirates (was in Pirates of the Caribbean). #TheMaskedSinger
— PixelyFoxx (@PixelyFoxx) April 21, 2022 @PixelyFoxx
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View StoryTEAM BAD: JACK-IN-THE-BOX
(“Bad to the Bone,” George Thorogood & the Destroyers) Jack-in-the-Box was an absolute disaster up there. Not only could he not carry a tune, he hardly made any effort at all. “Well, you can’t get any badder than that,” Robin said. “That’s the baddest.” we’d have to agree. It was pretty bad.
Guesses: Honestly, knowing that one infamous individual was controversially a part of this season, and unmasked first in their round, we already had a feeling who this was as soon as they started … should we call that singing?
We got his clues after his performance, which included a gavel tied to him revealing he’d officiated over 200 weddings. We also saw a red wagon pulled in, as well as two red ring pops while talking about those weddings.
Throw in a football, a small space shuttle and the specific breakdown of weddings across all four seasons, and it all ties up to the one and only Rudy Giuliani, famous for that ridiculous press conference at what certainly appeared to be the wrong Four Seasons.
Unless they got real creative with their edit, we’ve known he was coming, and this is the last first elimination possible. Not to mention that vocally, that sounded a lot like the former president’s former counsel.
“I get put in a box a lot,” Jack said. Robin wondered if the raspy, older voice could signify Robert Duvall. Ken wondered at the crypto of it all, as well as the shuttle, to land on Elon Musk. Jenny agreed it might be someone of importance, but thinks the Irish shamrock might point to Joe Pesci, tied to Four Seasons and the gavel with “My Cousin Vinny.”
Twitter, though, has been waiting all season for the Rudy Giuliani unmasking, and subsequent protest walk-offs, so they were laser-locked that he is who was beneath the mask, and behind that awful singing.
They also noticed that the official "Masked Singer" account didn't tweet anything during his performance, either. And as of this publishing, none of the videos related to Jack-in-the-Box are on the show's official page. That's certainly a choice.
Jack In The Box *has* to be Rudy Giuliani. The long-awaited unmasking is less than a half-hour away. #TheMaskedSinger
— Tyrone Walden knows the Endgame and how to play it (@TyroneWalden) April 21, 2022 @TyroneWalden
The official masked singer twitter account didn’t tweet anything during the jack in the box performance. That’s def Rudy.. #TheMaskedSinger
— titilé (@papercutbliss) April 21, 2022 @papercutbliss
Jack in the box can go home. He’s not singing and sounds terrible. #TheMaskedSinger
— shesfare (@shesfare) April 21, 2022 @shesfare
#TheMaskedSinger Jack in the box....THAT WAS BAD... pic.twitter.com/USNVFuEo8W
— Mark Storrs (@bonerack59) April 21, 2022 @bonerack59
I’m 100% sure that @RudyGiuliani is the Jack in the Box. #TheMaskedSinger
— miranda ✿ (@introvert_412) April 21, 2022 @introvert_412
#TheMaskedSinger is Rudy the jack in the box? This guy is a joke whoever he is
— christina cjv (@CV_81) April 21, 2022 @CV_81
The Jack in the box is definitely unfortunately Rudy Guliani. I don't wanna be right but I think I am. #TheMaskedSinger
— Brunette Bombshell (@HannahKCarson24) April 21, 2022 @HannahKCarson24
Me during the jack in the box performance #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/sO8qdr1U2s
— gloria (@GLORYx__x) April 21, 2022 @GLORYx__x
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View StoryTEAM CUDDLY: SPACE BUNNY
(“Jump in the Line,” Harry Belafonte) Space Bunny is a complicated one because he doesn’t present like a professional singer, but that was definitely a confident and solid vocal performance. He nailed all those notes, the cadence, the rhythm, the whole mood of the piece. And if that accent isn’t authentic, he nailed that, too.
Guesses: While he performed like a very good singer, his clues kept leaning toward sports, including a flaming basketball and the phrases “be a hero” and “cover all your bases.” We saw a red handprint and a dog as he also mentioned the word “trailblazer.”
“I shoot for the moon,” he said. He also said he likes a wardrobe, too. When Nick asked if he knows Space Bunny, Space Bunny countered, “No, but I know you.” All of this had Robin first thinking Damian Lillard, but instead went through a bunch of Caribbean singers before settling on Sean Paul.
Nicole threw out Shaggy, as well, to help him out, but her own guess was far more ambitious (and unlikely). “It’s LeBron James,” she said to virtually no real support at all. Twitter actually liked her first guess better, tossing around Shaggy themselves.
In fact, while there were some off-the-wall guesses like Charles Barkley, George Lopez, Adam Sandler and Snoop Dogg the only consensus we started to see was for Shaggy. Maybe don't throw away your guess next time?
space bunny is Mr Boombastic himself, Shaggy #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/jbledHTSUM
— Jessie (@JayByrd14) April 21, 2022 @JayByrd14
*Loved* Space Bunny's performance. The only thing missing was a floating Winona Ryder#TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/aPEdeZC7mK
— Autism Warrior 42069 (@Kellthulhu) April 21, 2022 @Kellthulhu
I already know who space bunny is… SHAGGY I’m certain on this one #themaskedsinger
— Ana 🌸💞💐 (@photolover82) April 21, 2022 @photolover82
#TheMaskedSinger my dad just said that Space Bunny is Shaggy and I can’t unhear it…..
— Karrie (@KB291) April 21, 2022 @KB291
Dolores: (Whispers in @jazzy_j_97's ear) As much as you think Space Bunny is Shaggy, me and my family also think that it's Shaggy.
— Dylan Major (@DylanSharer) April 21, 2022 @DylanSharer
Me: Me too Dolores, I don't see any person that could bring the enegry like him.#TheMaskedSinger #Encanto pic.twitter.com/8CNM9U7ITn
I know he normally says it wasn't me but could space bunny be shaggy? That's the face that just popped in my mind. #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/Q8rQMrXuBu
— Brandy (@BrAnDnY) April 21, 2022 @BrAnDnY
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View StoryUNMASKING 9
After these four performances, it doesn’t even matter that we know Rudy Giuliani was the first eliminated in his group, or that we’re super confident he’s Jack-in-the-Box. He was far and away the worst performer of the night, as all four of the other contenders actually had quality singing voices.
That makes this the strongest overall group of the competition. After we say goodbye to Jack-in-the-Box tonight, this group is going to get hard in a hurry as everyone brings something fun and different to the stage -- even Baby Mammoth was solid enough in her limited range.
We are saying goodbye to Jack-in-the-Box, right? Regardless of who’s under that mask, they’ve gotta be the one to go, right? Right?! Thankfully, yes, as Jack-in-the-Box got a well-deserved boot.
- Robin Thicke: Robert Duvall
- Jenny McCarthy: Joe Pesci
- Ken Jeong: Elon Musk
- Nicole Scherzinger: Al Roker
“Is that Robert Duvall?” Nicole asked, clearly not recognizing Rudy Giuliani when he was revealed. Looking completely shell-shocked, Ken responded stone-faced, “No, that’s not Robert Duvall.” He knew exactly who this was, and he was clearly not happy about it.
Ken’s arms were crossed, his body language definitely not into the whole thing. As he started singing unmasked, Ken announced, “I’m done,” and walked off the set. Considering what a huge controversial moment this was, with TMZ reporting both he and Robin walking off, this was barely acknowledged here.
We got a shot of Nicole and Jenny dancing along, seemingly alone on the dais, so why address it at all if only to give it that short moment? Was it to acknowledge the controversial choice that Giuliani was, to give weight and credit to Ken’s reaction? To close out the narrative of his obvious unhappiness from the moment Giuliani was unmasked?
We wonder if there will be any follow-up to the walk-off we did see in next week’s episode, or if the show will just move on. Considering most episodes are pretty self-contained, and the show has mostly avoided controversy, we have a feeling this will be the only note of Ken’s (and Robin’s?) protest.
At the same time, Ken did say he was “done,” so they may need to address that he isn’t leaving the show, so it might get some air time next week, after all. We certainly feel it’s worthy of that time, so we’ll just have to wait and see how the show proceeds.
Oh what a let down on #themaskedsinger, I was expecting a full on melt down but Ken just left during the credits, he’s entitled to his opinion but it wasn’t as big a deal as everyone thought it was going to be. Queen cobra 🐍 was my favorite 🤩
— alicia smith (@iloveaccents14) April 21, 2022 @iloveaccents14
Ken the whole time once he found out who was in the Jack in the box mask. #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/Q00pbvmw1S
— Michelle Langston (@chellelang44) April 21, 2022 @chellelang44
Totally agree with Ken for walking off set. I knew exactly who Jack in the Box was at the 4 Seasons clue. He doesn't owe anyone an apology #TheMaskedSinger
— 🌟Kayla🌟 (@BlissfulxBoss) April 21, 2022 @BlissfulxBoss
nicole asking if rudy giuliani was robert duvall…#themaskedsinger pic.twitter.com/vpcxDiaN55
— purple people eater (@thrillnmesoftly) April 21, 2022 @thrillnmesoftly
Not a fan of Rudi, but this show is supposed to be about inclusiveness and judgement free, that is what makes it so special. I really don't know how I feel about this and jack in the box, but it feels wrong #TheMaskedSinger
— Matt (@mattj710) April 21, 2022 @mattj710
What a waste of a costume. Jack in the box.#TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/r7opajJWwL
— Every 1 Luvs Red (@Candygrl38) April 21, 2022 @Candygrl38
No, but whose bright idea was to bring Rudy Giuliani aka the racist possum to the show? I'm glad Ken and Robin walked off. #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/TVTfz3nB55
— Naomi (@thats_naomi) April 21, 2022 @thats_naomi
All of you losers, Rudy was asked to participate and he did . We should mever put politics into an embarrassing act on a fun show. Ken next week stay home. You need to be replaced. #TheMaskedSinger
— Margaret Gagas (@GagasMargaret) April 21, 2022 @GagasMargaret
I think it was so rude of Ken to walk off the set after Rudy was unmasked. If anything this is a fun show and I always felt good watching it. It was an escape from all the division in this country for at least one hour. #TheMaskedSinger
— Susan Sandlin (@SusanSandlin) April 21, 2022 @SusanSandlin
My respect for Ken crossing his arms when Rudy was unmasked - and then leaving the set 📈📈📈📈 #TheMaskedSinger
— Dana (@shedana) April 21, 2022 @shedana
#TheMaskedSinger Thanks Rudy. I'll never enjoy this song again. pic.twitter.com/tuOUgx7PNM
— Nick Grimes (@NickGrimesYT) April 21, 2022 @NickGrimesYT
“The Masked Singer” continues Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.