The Masked Singer Recap: The Semifinals RESULTS
The Masked Singer season 9 continues as the three remaining celebrities fight for a spot in next week’s FINALE. Featuring Nick Cannon as host, Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong and Nicole Scherzinger on the judges panel. The three celebrities California Roll, Macaw and Medusa will compete. ONE celebrity will leave the competition.
California Roll
Clues: They “love a little friendly competition.” and “It was like I was 19 again.” They hint that they’ve “been here before.”
Performance: Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson – Covering a Kelly Clarkson song is a CLUE in itself. The quintet sings a bluesy version of the song with lots of individual solos amid the gorgeous harmonies. It’s hard to imagine them not making the finale. They will WIN. This arrangement is INCREDIBLE. For the onstage clue, each celebrity will choose a judge to whom they have a connection. The singers connect to Jenny “But I think it’s our time on Broadway that you may remember us from.” Jenny guesses Dear Evan Hansen cast. She pivots away from the actual correct guess, which she names initially. Nicole guesses the cast of Spring Awakening. These are very dumb guesses. Ken guesses In the Heights cast.
Prediction: California Roll is Pentatonix. C’mon. Kirstin Maldonado starred in Kinky Boots on Broadway. For a minute she starred alongside Macaw’s fellow American Idol Top 2 finalist! The other clues: The three original members, Kristin, Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying were fresh out of Texas high school at age 19 when they competed on The Sing-Off in 2011. They opened for Kelly Clarkson early in their careers.
Medusa
Clues: She talks about the “person closest to me.” She lost her in 2020. “She was really young and really it was really sudden.” She was pregnant with her son shortly after her death.
Performance: Take Me to Church by Hozier – Medusa is the queen of the big, theatrical and DRAMATIC performance. Her voice is very distinct, which is why it’s been easy for fans to figure out her identity. She’s had at least one major hit on the radio, which, interestingly, has been covered by tons of singing show contestants. The judges are on their feet. Nicole calls her a “front runner.” Medusa has a connection to Robin. “both of our voices have taken us on a journey. One that put Platinum on our walls.” Robin guesses Grimes because she’s also Canadian. Nicole guesses…she wimps out. Ken guesses Dido.
Prediction: Medusa is Bishop Briggs who had a massive, breakthrough hit with “River.”
Macaw
Clues: He wasn’t quite sure who he was. He was AFRAID. Then he told the truth, and now he’s free. “VOTE” sign. Now he can relate to love songs. Why did I keep this to myself all this time, he asks. “Come back on TV.”
Performance: What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction – FOX dropped this performance earlier today. It’s a fun rendition of a massive and iconic pop hit. I’m not sure it’s the correct choice for this point in the competition? But we’ll see! The crowd sings the song back at Macaw. Fun. Great vocal. He’s so cute! Macaw is connected to Nicole “We both have a special love for the Philippines.” Nicole guesses Darren Criss or David Archuleta. Robin guesses Daniel Bedingfield. Jenny guesses Daniel Radcliffe, which is a very dumb guess.
Prediction: The Macaw is David Archuleta. The clues were lifted straight out of recent interviews with David, where he talked about coming out LGBTQ. The “vote” sign points to competing in American Idol in 2008. And Nicole is correct, he’s beloved in the Philippines. ETA: David Cook, who won that season starred in Kinky Boots alongside Pentatonix member Kristin Maldanado.
Battle Royale
The night ends with a three way Battle Royale. The three contestants sing the same song in their own styles. California Roll is first, singing Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars. Major beatboxing break surprises the panel, which is funny. Macaw is next with a very soulful version of the hit. It’s good stuff. The song is outside of Medusa’s wheelhouse. Let’s see how she does. She turns it into a ballad, which is kind of weird? She turns every song DRAMATIC.
Results: Who is eliminated?
The audience and the panel vote. ONE celebrity will leave the competition. The mask coming in third place unmasking is THE CALIFORNIA ROLL. OK I’m shocked. SHOCKED. I assumed they had it in THE BAG. It would be California Roll and….and then they’d wind up the first group winner. Final guesses: Nicole: Cast of Pitch Perfect. Ken: In the Heights cast. C’mon. Quit being dumb. Robin: Pentatonix. YEP. Jenny: Pentatonix. Oh. When Jenny co-hosted New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Pentatonix performed one year. OH DANG COMMERCIAL FIRST BEFORE REVEAL.
And the California Roll is….Pentatonix! As an a’cappella group, they thought it would be fun to rearrange songs with instruments. They deserved to advance. I was hoping for a singing show alum finale. Maybe the act is too sophisticated for The Masked Singer. They sing out with a SPECTACULAR full version of Radiohead’s “Creep.” ROBBED ROBBED ROBBED.
Macaw and Medusa MOVE ON TO NEXT WEEK’S FINALE!
