Wednesday was Girl Group Night on The Masked Singer Season 11, and the night's eliminee was a certain veteran dreamgirl of the stage and screen, Miss Cleocatra. Despite cat's-meowing her lungs out during her performance of En Vogue's "Free Your Mind," she was ultimately freed from her furry feline-head, after losing her claws-out smackdown of TLC's "Waterfalls" against Group B wild card the Seal.
By the way, this show is clearly running out a character names after 11 seasons. I mean, what the heck is a Cleocatra? Well, this regal creature turned out to be the legendary "Mother of Black Hollywood," Jenifer Lewis — who'd I'd actually guessed correctly weeks ago, because that booming voice and giant personality could not be disguised or contained, even under a giant gold cat-head. Even Ken Jeong figured this one out, after the other judges mulled over other possibilities like Roberta Flack, Loretta Devine, Taraji P. Henson, or Sheryl Lee Ralph.
"I took a long break. And when they called, I said, 'You know, I haven't been onstage singing in a long time. So, I said, 'Come on, let's go! And it was fun. I had a blast," said the Black-ish star when host Nick Cannon why she agreed to appear on this show. She then bid her mystery co-stars farewell by saying, "You're so young and you're so beautiful. Will you take care of yourselves? And be loving to one another — that's what I want for you."
So now, we're left with three more Group B contestants, and much like Ken, I know exactly who they are. I've even unsealed the mystery of the Seal, a new surprise addition to this bracket. Read on.
The Beets, "I'm So Excited" The judges were largely convinced that these colorful root vegetables were comedians or actors, but based on their stellar — and very familiar-sounding! — vocal harmonies, I believe their roots are in pop music. "The Beets just beat it up!" so-excited judge Rita Ora exclaimed after witnessing this fun performance by two clearly experienced reality TV competitors.
The clues: This buddy act — "pretty good co-stars" and "the best of friends" who still tour together regularly and have co-starred on Broadway — once had "40 million eyes" on them. They "could not be any more different," but they "didn't try to outdo each other" and formed an "organic friendship" that remains strong today. Visual clues have included a vintage transistor radio, Christmas mistletoe, a playing card, red apples, and a bread castle.
Judges' guesses: Brooks & Dunn, Alan Cumming & Tituss Burgess, or Zach Braff & Donald Faison.
My guess: I'm really hoping this two can beet the odds and win the whole show — doing what American Idol alumni Chris Daughtry, Katharine McPhee, Todrick Hall, Tori Kelly, and David Archuleta could not. And finally, Clay Aiken can win first place! Because yes, this high-fiber duo is without a doubt "Solitaire" singer Clay and his Idol pal Rooooooben Studdard. It could not be more obvious if they had been dressed as Velvet Teddy Bears. I'd recognize their voices anywhere, and so would anyone who caught their 2018 Broadway revue, Ruben & Clay's First Annual Christmas Show, or any of the 20 million viewers (i.e., 40 million eyes) who watched them weekly on American Idol Season 2. The Ruben/Clay finale still ranks as the most-watched episode in Idol history, at 38.1 million, and while that sort of mass viewership is a thing of the past in this streaming era, if the Beets do make it to this year's Masked Singer finale, it could be another ratings coup for Fox.
The Gumball, "Wide Open Spaces" This sticky-and-sweet singer's serenade, of one of his much-adored wife's favorite songs, was an "amazing, beautiful performance," according to judge Jenny McCarthy-Walhberg. "You won our hearts tonight," Jenny told him.
The clues: Much like Oz's Tin Man, this Southern boy had a "rusty" start his career and his "heart of a superhero" took a "beating." He did "anything and everything to get an audience": beatboxing on the street, performing at theme parks, even getting booed off the stage of a talent competition. His wife was "diagnosed with a disease that will impact her later in life," so they choose to live every day to its fullest, right now. Visual clues have included an angel's wings and halo, a spider, globe, bowling pins, horse-drawn carriage, three-piece band, and heart-shaped clock. He's also worked with Channing Tatum.
Judges' guesses: Aaron Taylor Johnson, Derek Hough, and Taran Killum.
My guess: I've chewed on Gumball's clues, and I think this is Hart of Dixie actor and Channing's 10 Years co-star, Scott Porter. Scott has voiced many superhero characters (including several in the Spider-Man franchise), used to beatbox in his a cappella group, once competed on Star Search, and performed at Orlando theme parks before he was famous. But most notably, Scott's wife of 11 years recently tested positive for the Huntington's Disease gene (her mother has HD), meaning that she will eventually face the effects of that incurable disease.
The Seal, "Hold On" Not to be confused with the artist named Seal, who was the Leopard on The Masked Singer Season 2, this cuddly marine mammal — "one of the most charming characters we've ever had" according to Robin Thicke, the night's "fan favorite" according to Jenny, and "cutest thing" Rita has ever seen — had a very, very recognizable growly rock voice. Only a truly lost boy would not recognize that voice, really...
The clues: He was "mistakenly perceived as a wild child"; he was in "one of the most famous groups in the world"; (although not necessarily a music group); Steven Spielberg was his "boss"; and you know this guy from "your screens, radios, or the posters tacked up on your walls." Visual clues included a treasure chest, a science lab, a driver's license, and vampire teeth.
Judges' guesses: Haley Joel Osment, Corey Feldman, and Sean Astin.
My guess: Oh, I've been dreaming a little dream that this guy would compete on The Masked Singer since Season 1. I'm surprised it took him so long, really. This has to be infamous '80s teen idol Corey Feldman, star of License to Drive, vampire teen flick The Lost Boys, and Spielberg films Gremlins and the pirate-themed Goonies.
Next week, the Seal, Beets, and Gumball will face off in the Group B finals, and after that double-elimination, we'll know who's competing against the Clock, Poodle Moth, and Goldfish in Season 11's multi-bracket semifinals. Can "Ascension Millennium" rocker Corey Feldman ascend all the way to the finals? Well, he already beat former Broadway star Jenifer Lewis in a sing-off, so anything's possible. See you then.
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