‘The Masked Singer’ Reveals Identity of Afghan Hound: Here Is the Celebrity Under the Costume
SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 11, Episode 2 of “The Masked Singer,” “The Wizard of Oz Night,” which aired March 13 on Fox.
Chrisley didn’t know best, at least on “The Masked Singer.” As her “Chrisley Knows Best” parents Julie and Todd Chrisley remain in prison for bank fraud, daughter Savannah Chrisley was unmasked on the hit Fox series this week as the “Afghan Hound.”
More from Variety
The 96th Oscars Were More Than Kenough to Celebrate a Banner Year in Moviemaking: TV Review
Bradley Cooper Cameos in 'Abbott Elementary' to Poke Fun at His Own Oscars Campaign
For Chrisley, no one got it right. Robin Thicke guessed Bethenny Frankel. Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg said Brooke Hogan. Ken Jeong picked Olivia Jade. New panelist Rita Ora named Sistine Stallone.
In her pre-taped package as Afghan Hound, Chrisley alluded to her family’s troubles and how it impacted her: “Every single day I tell myself to be brave. When I was young, I would dream what life could be like over the rainbow. And for my family and I, the dreams we dared to dream came true. Best of all, we were together. Until recently. Suddenly, it was like our whole house came crashing down. And I found myself alone, lost and left to pick up the pieces. But I had to keep going and learn to laugh through the pain. I know I’m not a good singer, but I’m here to put on a fun performance and just have a great time. I want to make my family smile and laugh from afar.”
Afghan Hound and Gumball were the two lowest vote-getters of the night, and they faced off in the smackdown — both performing “Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead” from “The Wizard of Oz.” Afghan Hound was voted out, leaving Gumball, Miss Cleocatra and Beets to return for the next round.
Savannah Chrisley as Afghan Hound joins Kevin Hart (Book) as the celebrities unmasked on “The Masked Singer” this season.
It was “The Wizard of Oz Night,” and previous “Masked Singer” winner LeAnn Rimes opened the show with her rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Back for Season 11 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke, while Rita Ora has joined the desk to fill in for Nicole Scherzinger, who was in London to star on the West End’s “Sunset Boulevard.”
“The Masked Singer” Season 11 will feature themed episodes including “The Wizard of Oz,” in celebration of the 85th anniversary of the classic film; “Transformers” (marking the brand’s 40th anniversary) and music tributes including “Billy Joel Night” and “Queen Night.” Additional themes include “Girl Groups,” “Soundtrack of My Life,” “TV Theme Night” and “Shower Anthems.”
With sixteen total celebrity singers, including three “wildcards,” Season 11 features new costumes including “Gumball,” “Lizard,” “Ugly Sweater,” “Goldfish,” “Starfish,” “Book,” “Gumball,” “Miss Cleocatra,” “Afghan Hound,”
Here were the other Group B performances on Wednesday’s Episode 2, “The Wizard of Oz Night”:
Gumball
Song: “If I Only Had a Heart,” by Jack Haley
Panel guesses: Chace Crawford, Kevin Jonas, Jamie Dornan
Wizard of Oz inspiration: Tin Man. “When you met him, he was a little rusty. Maybe just like me.”
Clue: Tin Man’s heart clock. “Deep down, at the end of the day, Tin Man had the heart of a superhero. And I might too.”
Package voiceover: “Just like the Tin Man, my heart took quite a beating. Because my yellow brick road to success came with zero directions. I knew I wanted to end up on the stage, but didn’t know how to make that happen. So, I did anything and everything to get an audience. I beatboxed on the streets. I performed at theme parks. And even got booed off the stage at a competition — for winning! I felt like nothing seemed to stick. And watched everyone else around me succeed, time and time again. But I refused to quit. Because no one was going to burst my bubble. And, like a lot of us in Hollywood, I needed a little timing and a lot of luck. But I’m proof that even if your road isn’t paved with gold, as long as your heart is, you’ll find your way.”
Miss Cleocatra
Song: “Stormy Weather,” by Etta James
Panel guesses: Taraji P. Henson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine
Wizard of Oz inspiration: The Good Witch.
Clue: Star wand. “I’ve already worked my magic. On an Emmy award winning show!”
Package voiceover: “Are you a good witch or a bad witch? It’s taken me some time to figure that out. Long ago, I was living life in technicolor. But I always worried that the empire I built could all crumble beneath me. My days were horribly split, going from gorgeous rainbows to horrendous black and white. People were calling me a national treasure, and yet I felt wicked. And that’s when I got the diagnosis I never wanted but so desperately needed. And suddenly, everything became crystal clear. And I’m so glad I reached out for help. Because now I know that I’m the good witch. And can use my powers for good.”
Afghan Hound
Song: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” by the Tokens
Panel guesses: Sistine Stallone, Olivia Jade, Brooke Hogan
Wizard of Oz inspiration: Cowardly Lion.
Clue: Cowardly lion badge of courage. “Like the lion, it takes courage to be on TV. Especially with the characters of my family.”
Package voiceover: “Just like the lion, every single day I tell myself to be brave. When I was young, I would dream what life could be like over the rainbow. And for my family and I, the dreams we dared to dream came true. Best of all, we were together. Until recently. Suddenly, it was like our whole house came crashing down. And I found myself alone, lost and left to pick up the pieces. But I had to keep going and learn to laugh through the pain. I know I’m not a good singer, but I’m here to put on a fun performance and just have a great time. I want to make my family smile and laugh from afar. And that’s what’s giving me the courage tonight.”
Beets
Song: “Home,” by Michael Bublé
Panel guesses: Will Arnett and Jason Bateman; K-Ci and Jojo; Steve Martin and Martin Short
Wizard of Oz inspiration: Dorothy and Toto. “Because of our loyalty as friends.”
Clue: Toto. “Like Toto and Dorothy, we’re the best of friends.” “And we’re pretty good co-stars too.”
Package voiceover: “There’s no place like home. And wouldn’t we know it. Home for us has been anywhere together. And for the moment, we have millions of eyes on us.” “Yeah, 40 million of them. And even when it felt like the world was trying to pit us against each other, we always have each other’s backs.” “Of course, we’re a family.” “We work so well together. I mean, his big ol’ brain.” “And his unbeatable heart.” “Guess all we need now is the nerve to turnip each other on this stage.” “It will be like going back to our roots.” “Wait a second, who’s Dorothy and who’s Toto in this relationship?” “Well, I am the feisty one so clearly I am Toto. Time for you to click your heels three times, Dorothy!”
Last season’s performers included Ne-Yo as Cow, John Schneider as Donut, Macy Gray as Sea Queen and Janel Parrish as Gazelle join John Oates as Anteater, Keyshia Cole as Candelabra, Sebastian Bach as Tiki, Ginuwine as Husky, Ashley Parker Angel as S’more, Metta World Peace as Cuddle Monster, Luann de Lesseps as Hibiscus, Tyler Posey as Hawk, Billie Jean King as Royal Hen, Michael Rapaport as Pickle, Tom Sandoval as Diver, Anthony Anderson as Rubber Ducky and one-time special guest Demi Lovato as Anonymouse.
Fox Alternative Entertainment is behind “The Masked Singer,” which is exec produced by showrunner James Breen, Craig Plestis, and Nick Cannon. The series is based on the South Korean format created by Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
