SPOILER ALERT: Details follow for Season 14, Episode 11 of “The Masked Singer,” “Semi-Finals,” which aired March 25 on Fox.
Rachel Platten, known for her hit “Fight Song,” was the latest celebrity to be unmasked on Season 14 of Fox’s singing competition “The Masked Singer.” Her identity as Pangolin was revealed.
Among the panelists, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg correctly identified Platten. Ken Jeong guessed Lea Michelle, Robin Thicke thought it was Michelle Branch, and Rita Ora guessed Vanessa Carlton.
Before she was unmasked, Pangolin offered a final clue to her identity with boxing gloves, stating, “I like to stand strong in a fight. Especially when it counts. And this whole thing represents a huge win for me.”
For her last performance, Platten as Pangolin sang “It Must Have Been Love” by Roxette. In earlier episodes, she performed “What A Feeling (Flashdance)” by Irene Cara, “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette, and “Mama, I’m Coming Home” by Ozzy Osbourne.
With Pangolin’s departure, the remaining contestants heading into next week’s finale are Galaxy Girl, Cat Witch, Pugcasso, and Crane.
So far in Season 14, the celebrities unmasked include Rachel Platten (Pangolin), Evan Ross-Næss (Stingray), Judge Greg Mathis (14 Karat Carrot), Alexi Lalas (High Voltage), Jack Wagner (Eggplant), Heidi Montag (Snow Cone), Billy Ray Cyrus (Owl), Teddi Mellencamp (Calla Lily), Claudia Oshry (Queen Corgi), Taraji P. Henson (Scarab), Tone Loc (Handyman), Tiffany Haddish (Le Who Who), Todd and Julie Chrisley (Croissants), and David “Big Papi” Ortiz (Googly Eyes).
Returning for Season 14 are host Nick Cannon and panelists McCarthy Wahlberg, Jeong, Ora, and Thicke.
A new feature this season is “America’s Insider,” where singer, dancer, and social media personality Kylie Cantrall provides behind-the-scenes hints and clues. In a twist, Cantrall is disguised as Cat Witch and will only unmask for viewers, keeping her identity hidden from the panelists.
Themed episodes for Season 14 include tributes to “Star Trek,” the ‘90s comedy “Clueless,” the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” franchise, and the “Twilight Saga” films. Additionally, Fox’s new “Fear Factor” reboot featured host Johnny Knoxville for a “Fear Factor: House of Fear Night.” An “Ozzfest Night” honored the late rocker Ozzy Osbourne, with a special tribute from “Masked Singer” alum Kelly Osbourne (Season 2’s Ladybug) celebrating her father’s musical legacy.
The 18 masked contestants for Season 14 include Eggplant, Pugcasso, Queen Corgi, the Croissants, Owl, 14 Karat Carrot, Snow Cone, Galaxy Girl, High Voltage, Googly Eyes, Scarab, Handyman, Crane, Le Who Who, Pangolin, Stingray, Cat Witch, and Calla Lily.
According to the show, the Season 14 contestants collectively have sold 94 million records, received 47 Teen Choice Award nominations, 12 Emmy nominations, two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one Tony Award win, and one Academy Award nomination.
Here were the performances on Wednesday’s episode.
Cat Witch
Song: “Run to You,” by Whitney Houston
Previous songs: “Abracadabra,” by Lady Gaga; “Teenage Dream,” by Katy Perry; “It Will Rain,” by Bruno Mars; “Starships,” by Nicki Minaj
Clue: Related to Robin Thicke. “Robin, last time I told you worked with one of my family members. But we know each other because you welcomed my family into your home. You recorded with one of my parents. Also have a connection with Rita.”
Panel guesses: Noah Cyrus, Kylie Cantrall
Previous panel guesses: Charli D’Amelio, Addison Rae, Lisa from Blackpink; Victoria Justice, Ashley Tisdale, Zendaya, Hailee Steinfeld, Jamie Lynn Spears, Katseye members, Vanessa Lachey
Cat Witch voiceover: “My journal, I write all my personal secrets in it. But tonight, turn to page 20 for my top secret entry: A letter for someone special: Mom. All of this is possible because of you. You believed in me as a little girl and showed me exactly who I could be. And when I landed a role in a huge franchise, you were right by my side. The older I get, the more I relate to you. All those lessons you taught me, maybe I didn’t understand them at the time. I think I get it now. And while my life story is still being written, I feel safe following in your footsteps. You’re such a queen. Now watch me go after the crown.”
Galaxy Girl
Song: “Misery Business,” by Paramore
Previous songs: “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl,” by Chappell Roan; “Just A Girl,” by No Doubt; “Drive,” by Incubus; “Lights,” by Ellie Goulding
Clue: Connected to Nick Cannon. “You’re definitely closer to my husband. We go back early 2000s. I think you’ve probably partied with my husband but not me.”
Panel guesses: Ashlee Simpson, Aly Michalka
Previous panel guesses: Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Emma Stone, Dixie D’Amelio, Anne Hathaway, Hillary Duff, Ashlee Simpson, Kate Hudson, Gwen Stefani, Taylor Momsen, Avril Lavigne
Galaxy Girl voiceover: “There’s a little detail I should probably share with you: This necklace. [Heart necklace with “best” and “friends,” broken in two.] I’ve looked up to one star my whole life. By day, we’d sing karaoke in her convertible. But by night, she’d take the world’s biggest stages by storm. And I watched in awe. I saw the awards, the glitz, the glam. But I also saw the public scrutiny, the headlines. I remember how much my heart would break for her. When it was my turn in the spotlight, I was scared to follow in her footsteps. But she prepared me for what was to come. And she’s always been my guiding light. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t some healthy competition. And that’s why I want to get to the finale. She may be a massive star. But finally, I’m the whole galaxy. I win!”
Pangolin
Song: “It Must Have Been Love,” by Roxette
Previous songs: “Ironic,” by Alanis Morrisette; “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” by Ozzy Osbourne; “What A Feeling (Flashdance)” by Irene Cara
Clue: Connected to Ken Jeong: “This person and I have been on camera together.”
Panel guesses: Lea Michelle, Rachel Platten
Previous panel guesses: Sara Bareilles, Christina Perri, Katy Perry, Vanessa Carlton, Michelle Branch, Meghan Trainor, Jennifer Nettles
Pangolin voiceover: “My best friend in the whole world was my nana. She would carry news clippings of me and force people to read them. Like, ‘have you heard about my granddaughter? She’s on the Emmys! She was feisty, funny and full of heart. I lost her a few years ago, and I miss her every day. Like when I became I mom, I went through a really tough time. I would sit there wondering how to get through. But then I think about Nana, and I hear her say, ‘you got this!’ And it really did get me through. That fierceness, it runs in the family. And it’s what’s driving me now to make new headlines. To fight and get to the finale!”
Pugcasso
Song: “Bad Dreams,” by Teddy Swims
Clue: Connected to Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg. “We have shared a stage together.”
Panel guesses: Shay Mooney, Darren Criss
Previous songs: “Ordinary,” by Alex Warren; “Fake Plastic Trees,” by Radiohead; “Too Much,” by Spice Girls; “Dreams,” by the Cranberries
Previous panel guesses: Dan Reynolds, Darren Criss, Ryan Tedder, Jack Johnson, Rob Thomas, Pat Monahan, Vance Joy, Charlie Puth, Gavin DeGraw, Jason Mraz
Pugcasso voiceover: “There was a moment where everyone in America had their eyes on me. This hometown boy was thrown into interviews and photo shoots. The problem is, I’ve always thought of myself as a musician, not a celebrity. I work really hard at a life as normal as possible for me and my family. I mean, my own kid doesn’t know that I’m famous. So you can imagine, I’d love to do the show, and I was lucky to be chosen. For me it’s about the art, the music. That’s why I want to make it to the finale. This has allowed me to do what I do best.”
Crane
Song: “Break Free,” by Ariana Grande
Clue: Connection with Rita Ora. “We love a little healthy competition. We were on TV together. Not a talk show, we were competing.”
Panel guesses: Tate McCrae, Normani, Halle Bailey, SZA
Previous songs: “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay,” by Whitney Houston; “Say You’ll Be There,” by Spice Girls; “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan
Previous panel guesses: Misty Copeland, Mya, Ashanti, Keke Palmer, Ciara, Taylor Swift, Normani
Crane voiceover: “Take a deeper look at my DNA. When I had my breakout success, I’m talking multiplatinum. There was so much pressure to strike while the iron was hot. But behind closed doors, my world was falling apart. Both of my parents were sick. I had to be there for them. But when I shared my work with them, I could see joy. I didn’t realize it then, but I was inspiring them to fight. And seeing their light pushed me to keep going. We leaned on each other, and after several difficult years, we can finally take a deep breath. That’s why I want to make it to the finale. Being a fighter is in my blood.”
Past “The Masked Singer” winners include T-Pain as Monster (Season 1), Wayne Brady as Fox (Season 2), Kandi Burruss as Night Angel (Season 3), LeAnn Rimes as Sun (Season 4), Nick Lachey as Piglet (Season 5), Jewel as Queen of Hearts (Season 6), Teyana Taylor as Firefly (Season 7), Amber Riley as Harp (Season 8), Bishop Briggs as Medusa (Season 9), Ne-Yo as Cow (Season 10), Vanessa Hudgens as Goldfish (Season 11), Boyz II Men as Buffalos (Season 12) and Gretchen Wilson as Pearl (Season 13).
“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.
