‘The Masked Singer’ Reveals Identity of Showbird: Here Is the Celebrity Under the Costume
SPOILER ALERT: Details follow for Season 12, Episode 2 of “The Masked Singer,” “Footloose Night” which aired October 2 on Fox.
Wednesday night’s “The Masked Singer” reveal was an emotional one for “Community” star Yvette Nicole Brown, who was unmasked as Showbird on episode 2 of Season 12. As Brown was taping the episode she was also dealing with some personal matters involving the care of her father.
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“Some of it felt heavy because I’m singing, but I’m thinking, ‘is daddy OK,’” she told Variety. “But by the time I was revealed, I was able to kind of let that all out. Plus I got to surprise Ken, and it was everything that I hoped it would be!”
That’s “Ken” as in “The Masked Singer” panelist Ken Jeong, Brown’s “Community” co-star who of course guessed her right. Among 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 “Holding Out for a Hero,” by Bonnie Tyler for her final performance. “Music is very important to me, and it was my first love,” Brown said. “I started as a singer. I was signed a Motown as a teenager, and when it didn’t happen for me. There was a pain, like a scar in that space. And so I kind of pushed it away, like took my ball and went home, and was determined never to sing as myself ever again. I’ll sing as a character. I’ll sing for acting, but I won’t do it as Yvette ever again, and I didn’t technically do it as Yvette this time as Showbird. But it was fun to take a step back into something that I really loved and in a safe place.”
Yvette Nicole Brown as Showbird joins John Elway as Leaf Sheep as the celebrities unmasked on “The Masked Singer” Season 12.
With the experience in hand, Brown said she’d perhaps be up for dipping her toes back in the professional singing water — perhaps at first as a backup performer. “I just want to encourage everyone that has been asked to do ‘The Masked Singer,’ if you’re a chicken like me and afraid to do it, say yes, it would be one of the best experiences you’ve ever had in this 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. “Everybody’s coming back,” she said. “Everybody’s excited, and it’s going to be wonderful.”
“’Footloose’ Night” opened with Thicke singing the movie’s theme song, as originally performed by Kenny Loggins.
Back for Season 12 ae 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 Masked Singer” Season 12 themed episodes include tributes to Mattel’s Barbie as it hits its 65th anniversary, and the film “Footloose” as it marks its 40th anniversary. Miley Cyrus will also be honored with an episode devoted to her music catalog, while also new is a “Who Are You Fest,” featuring music from “memorable festival lineups,” 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, clues will be “strategically embedded in costumes, in song choices and on-stage moments.” And the fifteen celebrity contestants will be endorsed by a “celebrity Masked Ambassador,” made up of previous participants including Dick Van Dyke (Season 9’s Gnome), Jewel (Season 6 winner as the Queen of Hearts), Ne-yo (Season 10 winner as the Cow) and DeMarcus Ware (Season 11’s Koala).
Season 12 features 15 contestants performing in new costumes including “Ship,” “Leaf Sheep,” “Woodpecker,” “Chess Piece,” “Bluebell,” “Buffalo,” “Showbird,” “Dust Bunny,” “Goo,” “Strawberry Shortcake” and more.
Here were the remaining Group A performances on Wednesday’s Episode 2, “Footloose Night”:
Showbird
Song: “Let’s Here It For the Boy,” by Deniece Williams
Panel guesses: Yvette Nicole Brown, Taraji P. Henson
Clue: Music box playing dance music. “Now, that’s more my vibe. Because back in 94, I was part of a hip-hop empire.”
Showbird voiceover: “I always knew that if I had a chance to do something in front of the lights, I’d do something good with it. So when I got that chance, work became my entire life. I was married to it. But I couldn’t help but feel like maybe something was missing. Real love. The kind like Ren and Ariel found in ‘Footloose.’ Then recently, I reconnected with an old friend bird, who unexpectedly became my love bird. Not you, Colton. He’s encouraged me to rekindle my first flame, one I gave up for two decades: Singing. But his love helped me find that carefree confidence again. Which led me here. So tonight, let’s here it for my baby. My love bird.”
Previous song: “Just Fine,” by Mary J. Blige
Previous panel guesses: 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 away from kevin bacon. I’m connected to Melissa Etheridge, who is connected to Whoopi Goldberg, who starred in ‘Destination Anywhere’ with Kevin Bacon.”
The Ship voiceover: “Like the lyrics of ‘Footloose’ say, everybody kick off their Sunday shoes. Easy right? Well, not when you’re a ship in a boot. 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 said I had to sit on the sidelines for a whole year, my heart sank. My frustration led me to the family’s piano. Where I’d sit and play for hours on end. It was my therapy. I channeled my sorrow, my joy, my expression. Music became my paradise. And it’s been a healing source since. Now, the good news is, the only boots I’m wearing these days are leather. And made for dancing. And tonight, I feel like I’m knocking on heaven’s door.”
Previous song: “Pompeii,” by Bastille
Previous panel guesses: Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osbourne, Enya, Sarah McLachlan
Woodpecker
Song: “Holding Out 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 obsession with shoes with me.”
Woodpecker voiceover: “Just like in “Footloose,’ I know a thing or two about fighting for what you believe in. As a young chick, while most kids were playing in treehouses, I was planting roots in Hollywood. Growing up in front of the world was awkward. From learning to wear heels to flirting with boys, God forbid uttering a cuss word. Everybody was all up in my business treating me like I was their child. It’s one thing when your mom tells you what to do. And another thing when everyone around you is chirping in. I always stayed headstrong, dancing to the growing pains of my own pace. And in turn, I’ve got young birdies following in my footsteps who see me as their hero. But my advice? You can be your own hero too. And tonight, I’m singing a song that’s always helped me celebrate me. I hope it will be a knockout”
Previous song: “Flowers,” by Miley Cyrus
Previous panel guesses: Willow Smith, Cardi B, Halle Bailey, Keke Palmer
Buffalos
Song: “Waiting For a Girl Like You,” by Foreigner
Panel guesses: Bel Biv DeVoe, 112, Boyz II Men, Big Time Rush
Clue: “Mo-Town.” “We’re a little tired right now because we are busy using this tractor to mow lawns all around the town.”
Buffalos voiceover: “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,’ longing to dance, we’re each rebels in our own way. We somehow found each other along the trail. Everyone told us we couldn’t just do our thing. But we didn’t listen. We’ve succeeded by no giving a darn over what people think. Think we’re corny? Who cares. We’re rich! And if you think we take ourselves too seriously, look at us. We’re out here dressed like some Wrestlemania buffaloes, about to sing a track from ‘Footloose.’ We’re funny as hell! So do you and don’t let anyone tell you who or what you should be. On that note, here’s a love song to show you just how corny and rich we are!”
Previous song: “(I Just) Died In Your Arms,” by Cutting Crew
Previous panel guesses: 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.
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