SPOILER ALERT: Details follow for Season 12, Episode 7 of “The Masked Singer,” “Who Are You Fest Night,” which aired November 13 on Fox.
It may have been a wipeout, but surfer Bethany Hamilton told Variety that she still enjoyed her brief appearance on “The Masked Singer.” Hamilton was the latest celebrity to be unmasked, revealed to be the star under the Macaron costume as the show’s Group C competition got underway on Wednesday’s episode.
“I wanted to originally do ‘The Masked Singer’ just because I thought it would be fun,” Hamilton said. “I sing to my children every day and thought maybe I’d get better at singing. And it’s also an opportunity to encourage people, and that’s what my life is all about.”
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Among the show’s panelists, Rita Ora got it right, naming Bethany Hamilton — and Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg agreed. Ken Jeong though it was Gypsy Rose Blanchard. Robin Thicke named Ariana Madix.
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“I loved my costume, but it was also really challenging to move in and dance in – it was super hard,” Hamilton added. “I feel like learning dance moves in a short amount of time is not my forte. I’ve never been a TikTok dancer where you can just pick it up in a few minutes. It was super hard to remember everything, even remembering my lyrics felt hard. Let’s just say I’m better at surfing!”
Bethany Hamilton as Macaron joins Natalie Imbruglia as Bluebell, Laverne Cox as Chess Piece, 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 on “The Masked Singer” Season 12.
Back 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 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). And the “Ding Dong Keep It On” bell is also back this morning, but only one singer across the three group finals can be saved.
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 first Group C performances on Wednesday’s Episode 7, “Who Are You Fest Night”:
Royal Knight
Song: “You and I,” by Lady Gaga
Panel guesses: Ashley Tisdale, Lily James, Hayden Panettiere
Merch wall clue: T-shirt that says, “Ready to sleigh.” “No matter the season, I’m always ready to sleigh the competition.”
Masked Ambassador: Savannah Chrisley (Season 11, Afghan Hound) “It’s no secret that my life has been pretty rough lately. But I am here to introduce to you the toughest woman that I know: Royal Knight. You are one of the fiercest friends I have, and I think that tonight for your performance, you’re gonna slay.”
Royal Knight voiceover: “Chapter 1. As a young girl, I thought I’d have that fairy tale life. So, I went on a quest for it. But it turns out, mine was no fantasy. There was heartbreak and terror behind every corner. And I quickly had to learn to protect myself with layers of armor. Until I became the warrior that I am today. I had to break free of the idea of a ‘you and I’ and had to learn how to be, well, me. Now, I don’t care about castles or kings, as long as I give main character energy.”
Sherlock Hound
Song: “Under the Bridge,” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Panel guesses: Eddie Vedder, Gavin Rossdale, Chad Kroeger, Brandon Boyd
Merch wall clue: T-shirt that says “#1 hit.” “I know what it’s like to be No. 1 in the world.”
Masked Ambassador: Barry Zito (Season 3, Rhino) “You know what they say, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But I can tell you firsthand, my friend Sherlock Hound begs to differ. We’ve even had some of the best jam sessions ever. Now you’re assigned to the biggest case ever on the Masked Singer. America, are you going to figure out his identity? Or is the case going to go cold?”
Sherlock Hound voiceover: “My whole family was into music. My grandma taught it, and my old man played the keys. But I wanted to be outside, running wild. Not cooped up playing a cello. When I heard rock and roll, it unleashed a passion inside. Some might say a mystery I needed to solve. From there, I was tracking that scent through campfires, dive bars and tour buses. I was on to something. Something big.”
Ice King
Song: “Tonight Tonight,” by Hot Chelle Rae
Panel guesses: Pete Wentz, Joe Jonas, MrBeast
Merch wall clue: T-shirt that says, “drop the fire beat.” “I’ve traveled the world dropping beats in front of massive crowds. But tonight has been the most lit.”
Masked Ambassador: Hanson (Season 5, Russian Dolls) “Now we know another secret, the identity of our chill friend, Ice King. He sold out the largest stadiums and was given the royal treatment as if he was one of the Beatles. And we know how good you really are. After all, we did help you get your start. So tonight we hope you break free and melt everyone’s hearts.”
Ice King voiceover: “Pretty cool, right? I ruled the school. But, Hollywood can be a little cold. So I ran away. And went into a deep freeze that lasted for years. But now, I found the courage to come back and stand in the spotlight once again. I’m here as an icebreaker, to bring the focus back to what I love the most: singing. It’s nice to be able to ease myself back into music, behind this mask.
Macaron
Song: “Call Me Maybe,” by Carly Rae Jepsen
Panel guesses: Gypsy Rose Blanchard, Monica Lewinsky, Ariana Madix
Merch wall clue: T-shirt that says “unstoppable, blooming all year long.” “I’ve overcome a lot in my life and no matter what comes my way, I know I’m unstoppable.”
Masked Ambassador: Willie Robertson (Season 6, Mallard) “My world was turned upside down when I became the Mallard in Season 6. And if anyone knows how life can change in an instant, it’s my friend Macaron. She’s one tough cookie. You’re a true inspiration, Macaron. So, trust this duck and call me afterwards. Maybe.”
Macaron voiceover: “Yeah, growing up life was pretty sweet. Until my life changed forever. And it was like being struck by lightning. Instead of my spirit crumbling, I dug deep. I fought hard and started from scratch. Ever since, everything else seems a little less serious.”
Strawberry Shortcake
Song: “Slow Burn,” by Kacey Musgraves
Panel guesses: Renee Rapp, Lana del Rey, Rachel Ziegler
Merch wall clue: T-shirt that says “break a leg.” “My breakthrough role showed the world my potential.”
Masked Ambassador: Hayley Orrantia (Season 7, Ringmaster) “I’m so stoked to introduce my friend, and it’s perfect that she’s making her debut tonight, because she’s truly a festival favorite.”
Strawberry Shortcake voiceover: “When I was young, I dreamed of going to a music festival. But one with me in the lineup. But even though I believed that I was headline material, I sat on the sideline watching everyone else have the fun. For years. Until one day I got the call… to open one of the most iconic ones. It was the sweetest day ever. A slow burn, but the best things are worth the wait.”
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.
