‘The Masked Singer 11’ episode 8 recap: Who was unmasked on ‘Girl Group Night’? [LIVE BLOG]
It’s “Girl Group Night” on “The Masked Singer”! Panelists Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, and Rita Ora open the show with a group performance of Spice Girls anthem, “Wannabe.” Then, Girl Group veterans and “The Masked Singer’s” very own member of the Lambs trio, Carnie Wilson, and Black Widow, Raven Symone, return to “The Masked Singer” stage before the Season 11 contestants rock out to Girl Group classics like “Free Your Mind,” “I’m So Excited,” and “Wide Open Spaces.” Nick Cannon hosts the wild and wacky fun.
The Season 11 contestants boast a combined 22 Grammy nominations, 11 platinum albums, 33 Teen Choice nominations, 108 million records sold, 326 film appearances and have 1.7 billion Spotify streams!
Below, read our minute-by-minute “The Masked Singer” recap of Season 11, Episode 8, to find out what happened Wednesday, April 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on FOX. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite costumed characters on Fox’s reality TV show and who you think has what it takes to win the entire competition.
Keep refreshing/reloading this “The Masked Singer” live blog for the most recent updates.
8:00 p.m. — “Previously on ‘The Masked Singer’!” In Episode 7, Goldfish, Starfish and Ugly Sweater faced off in the Group A finals. Following the studio audience vote, Ugly Sweater was unmasked and revealed to be soul singer Charlie Wilson. Then, after Goldfish won the night with her performance in the Battle Royale, Starfish was revealed to be “The Office” star Kate Flannery. Who will go home tonight when Group B hits the stage?
8:05 p.m. — After the panelists kick things off in style with a little Spice Girls fun, it’ time to get this Group B competition started. Miss Cleocatra is up first, and she reveals in her clue package, “I really caused a storm last time. I was the cat’s meow. I’m thrilled to be here tonight to champion fierce girl groups. You know I had my gang of great women that shaped me. Starting with my own mother. She was a maid, so I didn’t have to be. But the best gift I ever got from her was her work ethic. It made me the hardest hustler in Tinseltown. Now all the brightest stars look to me, including Michelle Obama and her mother. I’m most proud of the little princesses who see me as their queen. I want them to know if they want to be supreme, free your mind! And work harder than anyone else. And thanks, Ma, for showing me that!” Visual clues included a snake, a domino with a 5 on it, and photos of Bette Midler and Whoopi Goldberg.
8:10 p.m. — Miss Cleocatra is singing “Free Your Mind” by En Vogue. She’s got a great range and she can SANG. I’m convinced this is actress Jenifer Lewis. The tone of her voice and the way she speaks is just so obvious. For an additional clue, Carnie Wilson comes out on stage and sings a bit of “Stop! In the Name of Love” by The Supremes. I think that must be a hint at Jenifer starring with Diana Ross’ daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross, in “Black-ish.” Miss Cleocatra says, “Well, The Supremes, aren’t just on my playlist! They’re a part of my career.” This leads the panel to guess Miss Cleocatra is Roberta Flack (Rita), Loretta Devine (Robin) or Jenifer Lewis (Ken).
8:15 p.m. — Next up is Beets. In their clue package they reveal, “Last time we really brought it home. So the pressure is on to pay homage to the ladies tonight. Like the best girl groups out there, we both bring our own spice. I was the total ladies man, and I was the tough guy. Two guys who couldn’t be any more different. But we didn’t try to outdo each other. Instead, like a good girl group, we teamed up. It was our organic friendship that made us a delicious duo and kept us on menus nationwide. Yeah, we’re still touring, hitting the town. We’d be so excited to make it to the Group B finale, and tonight is the night we’re gonna make it happen.” Visual clues included a mistletoe, a boarding pass for a flight, a restaurant menu and a bread castle. Again, I have a strong feeling this is “American Idol” icons Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken — and these clues line up with that!
8:20 p.m. — Beets are singing “I’m So Excited” by The Pointer Sisters. They have fantastic vocals and put on a great show. For an additional clue, Raven Symone walks out and sings a few notes from “Weak” by SWV. Beets say, “We made our audience weak in the knees on Broadway.” The panelists guess Beets are Brooks & Dunn (Robin), Tituss Burgess & Allan Cumming (Jenny) and Zach Braff & Donald Faison (Rita).
8:25 p.m. — It’s Gumball’s turn to take the stage. In his clue package he reveals, “You all got my heart beating last time with all of your love. And that smackdown? That was wicked fun. It’s exciting to perform on Girl Group Night because there’s actually one girl who’s been singing lead in my life for years — my wife. I still remember the night I met her. An angel from across the room. I knew right then and there I’d spend the rest of my life with her. And everything was perfect until she was diagnosed with a disease that will impact her later in life. Suddenly the forever we were planning looked very different and we had a decision to make. We could let what’s on the horizon define us, or we could choose to be present each and every moment to say ‘Yes’ more and explore more of the wide open spaces out there. Tonight I’m singing one of her favorite songs, just for her.” Visual clues included angel wings, a moon and a bowling ball that looks like a globe knocking down pins.
8:30 p.m. — Gumball is singing “Wide Open Spaces” by The Chicks. He sounds great! We might have underestimated Gumball the last time around. Ken is crying. For an additional clue, Carnie returns to sing a few lines of “Don’t Cha” by The Pussycat Dolls. Gumball says, “Don’t you wish you could have starred with Channing Tatum like me.” This leads the panelists to guess Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Rita), Derek Hough (Jenny) and Taran Killam (Ken).
8:40 p.m. — Next up is this season’s final wildcard contestant, Seal! In Seal’s clue package he reveals, “For thousands of years it was buried in the ice, waiting for the perfect time to strike. Beware, the Seal! Hey guys, what’s all the fuzz about? Just like a seal, I’m cute, cuddly and friendly. So it makes sense I’m the wildcard, because I was mistakenly perceived as a wild child. You all may know me from your screens, radios or posters tagged up on your walls. And, I’m so excited to be on Girl Group Night, because I was in one of the most famous groups in the world. And now I’ll get your seal of approval with a girl group anthem by some fabulous ‘Masked Singer’ alums.” Visual clues included a treasure chest, a science lab, a drivers license and a vampire.
8:45 p.m. — Seal is singing “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips, but it’s more like a rock version. Everyone in this group can sing — it’s probably the strongest in the competition. He’s got some chops! For an additional clue, Raven returns to sing a bit of “Bo$$” by Fifth Harmony. Seal says, “Well you know it’s easy to be confident when you have a boss like Steven Spielberg.” This leads the panelists to guess Haley Joel Osment (Ken), Corey Feldman (Jenny) and Sean Astin (Robin). I think I’m with Jenny on this one!
8:55 p.m. — The studio audience has voted and the bottom two will have to face off in an epic smackdown. Those two battling it out will be Miss Cleocatra and Seal. That means Beets and Gumball are safe! In tonight’s smackdown, Miss Cleocatra and Seal each put their own spin on “Waterfalls” by TLC. Miss Cleocatra does a jazz version, I’m loving it! Seal gives his more of a rock edge. I’d give my vote to Miss Cleocatra, but I think Seal has won the audience over with that adorable costume.
9:02 p.m. — It’s time to hear the results of the final vote. Tonight, the creature unmasking is Miss Cleocatra. Before she does, the panelists make their final guesses: Roberta Flack (Rita), Loretta Devine (Robin and Jenny) and Jenifer Lewis (Ken). Finally, Miss Cleocatra pulls off that mask and reveals herself as actress, author and the “mother of Black Hollywood,” Jenifer Lewis! Ken was right!