For the first four weeks of Fox’s reality TV show “The Masked Singer,” there have been two separate groups of celebrities performing on alternate days. This week, everything got mixed up as two contestants from the first group (Lion and Unicorn) competed against two celebs from the second group (Alien and Rabbit). In addition to the four individual performances, judges Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke were also treated to a fun group performance with all four costumed characters. So which singer was voted out and had to reveal who was behind the mask?
Below, check out our minute-by-minute “The Masked Singer” recap of Season 1, Episode 5, titled “Mix and Masks,” to find out what happened Wednesday, January 30 at 9/8c. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite costumed celebs on Fox’s reality TV show, who impresses you the most, and who you think will ultimately win. Keep refreshing/reloading this live blog for the most recent updates.
9:00 p.m. — “Previously, on ‘The Masked Singer’!” In last week’s fourth episode the Poodle received the lowest number of votes from the judges and studio audience, so she had to unmask in front of America. The panelists guessed such possible celebs as Judge Judy, Jillian Michaels, Kathy Griffin and Melissa Rivers, but the real celeb hiding behind the Poodle mask was … Margaret Cho! Will tonight’s big reveal be just as shocking as last week?
9:05 p.m. – Singing “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons, Rabbit, Lion, Alien and Unicorn pull together for the season’s first group number. Rabbit is definitely the biggest showman, but all of them are having fun on stage. What’s funny is that even the contestants don’t know who each other are!
9:10 p.m. – Rabbit’s solo is up first and in his introduction video, he suddenly sounds more country than ever. I can’t tell if he’s trying to throw off the audience or if he’s from the South. He’s performed Latin pop and country so far, but tonight he wants to confuse the panel again with some R&B. Also in the package, the Rabbit keeps disappearing, which makes the panel wonder if he’s a magician. It also shows him at a Brooklyn pizza shop. Could he be a chef?
9:15 p.m. – Singing “Poison” by Bel Biv DeVoe, Rabbit is putting on quite a show with a team of dancers. Rabbit can dance and he’s definitely got some pipes. I’ve said since day one this is JC Chasez from *NSYNC and I still think it’s anyone’s best guess. The crowd is loving Rabbit! Nicole says Rabbit is her favorite performer on the show. Ken is irritated with Rabbit’s method acting, but believes he just delivered the best performance on the series so far. Jenny said his performance was very “boy-bandish.” This week, each masked singer has to bring an item for a little “show and tell” to help reveal who they are. Rabbit’s item is a magician kit. “It’s another way I like to impress an audience,” he says. So, a part-time magician who is a full-time singer? Jenny’s not buying it and said the magician thing is definitely just a hobby. Some guesses from the panel include Jenny’s hubby Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McEntire and Zac Brown.
9:25 p.m. – The graceful Unicorn is up next. Performing in front of people has always been her biggest fear, but now she feels like she’s in heaven. Throughout this journey, she has been able to “craft” a new identity. We then see images of Unicorn knitting. She admits that for years she hid behind a different kind of mask of her own making: low self-esteem. They keep showing Unicorn at a piano and she also mentions she could do “cartwheels” she is so happy. Is she a gymnast like the panel guessed following her last performance? She also said she’s proud of the “hills” that she comes from.
9:30 p.m. – Singing “I Love It” by Icona Pop featuring Charlie XCX, Unicorn is ready to party today! There’s a heavy backing track on this performance and it’s difficult to hear her voice in the forefront. She’s definitely not a professional singer and she’s not much of a mover either. She sort of just walks from one side of the stage to the other pumping her fists. Jenny appreciated the more confident performance and Ken thought it looked like therapy for Unicorn. Unicorn than reveals her meaningful item as a clue. A typewriter is revealed as the special item. Apparently, that typewriter has created lots of magic. Ken suggests she’s old. Is she a writer herself? Some of the guesses include Lauren Conrad, Tori Spelling and Denise Richards. Perhaps the typewriter represents Tori’s father Aaron Spelling and not Unicorn herself?
9:35 p.m. – Alien is up next. Being in this competition has been an incredible experience. She’s spent her entire life under a microscope being poked and prodded. Okay, we get it! She says this every week. Growing up she always craved the simple life. And in the video, she grabs a food item and says, “That’s hot!” Could this be Paris Hilton, who was in the reality series “The Simple Life” with the catchphrase “That’s hot”? Seems likely. I had been convinced this was LaToya Jackson. She then mentions being human and we see an image of a snake. I still think this could be LaToya!
9:40 p.m. – Singing “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. Alien’s voice sounds deeper than it has in previous weeks and she looks much more comfortable on stage. Go ahead Alien! I think she may have deliberately changed the key she’s singing in, but she sounds better than ever. Ken has no clue who she is and is completely confused. Nicole was happy and thrown off by the performance because her vocals were so much better. Jenny now believes it might actually be a true singer under that mask, rather than her first guess of Nicole Richie. What’s Alien’s revealing item? A police badge. What does that mean? “This badge is not a prop. I’m sword to protect and serve,” she says. The badge says Indiana, which makes Nicole gasp and say “a Jackson!” Now the panel agrees with me that Alien is LaToya. Other guesses were Britney Spears and Paula Abdul.
9:45 p.m. – Last to perform tonight is Lion. In previous performances, Lion was highly praised by the judges for being sexy and delivering impressive vocals. Clues led many fans to think it could be Rumer Willis under the mask. Let’s see what we learn about Lion this week! Last time she performed, Nicole wasn’t impressed with her voice. Tonight she’s here to prove that being on stage is her “destiny.” Immediately Robin said “Destiny’s Child.” When she sings, she tries to open up her whole heart so she can be a model of courage and vulnerability. A model? Her favorite movie is “The Wizard of Oz” and there’s no place like home. For her, home is on stage. “Tik-Tok” it’s about for her to let out her roar. With the last comment, Robin asks, “Kesha?”
9:50 p.m. – Singing “California Dreamin'” by Sia, Lion is clearly trying to showcase her vocals tonight. After the first verse Nicole concedes, “alright she’s definitely a singer.” She sounds great! Her vibrato is fast and I’m trying to figure if I can recognize this voice. She sounds with great posture and exudes elegance. The panel loved the performance. Nicole looks baffled and admits to being shocked by her voice. Robin was impressed with the vocal delivery as well. Jenny calls her a woman who can’t be tamed and wonders if it’s not Kesha, but someone who collaborated with Kesha? Robin guesses Michelle Williams from Destiny’s Child, but Nicole shuts that down saying Lion doesn’t sound like any of those girls. Let’s see what her revealing item is! It’s a scrunchie! Like, for hair. What’s up with that? Apparently it’s a family heirloom. I’m confused. One other random guess included Mel B. from the Spice Girls but that’s not right.
9:59 p.m. – The votes are in. Tonight’s unmasked singer is: The Unicorn! Rabbit, Alien and Lion are safe to sing another week. I’m ready to find out who this Unicorn is! But before she takes it off, what are the panel’s final guesses? Robin says Gabby Douglas. Jenny says Lauren Conrad. Nicole picks Denise Richards. Finally, Ken is going with Tori Spelling. Are any of them right? The Unicorn is…Tori Spellin! Ken was right! Tune in next week when another singer is unmasked on “The Masked Singer.”
WEEK FIVE SPOILERS: Who are the Alien, Lion, Rabbit, Unicorn
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