SPOILER ALERT: Details follow for Season 13, Episode 3 of “The Masked Singer,” “Rat Pack Tribute Night,” which aired February 26 on Fox.
Singer, former Danity Kane member and “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant Aubrey O’Day was the latest celebrity to be revealed Wednesday on Fox’s hit music competition series “The Masked Singer.” O’Day was unmasked as the Ant, during “Rat Pack Tribute Night” on the show.
For Ant,. Robin Thicke got it right with O’Day. Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg went with Evan Rachel Wood. Rita Ora named Charli xcx. Ken Jeong named Mel B from the Spice Girls.
O’Day sang “Fever,” by Peggy Lee, for her regular performance. Later, Paparazzo became the first celebrity to move on to the “Lucky 6” finalists, while Ant and Coral battled it out for Group A’s other slot in a battle royale. As Ant, O’Day sang “My Way,” by Frank Sinatra, followed by Coral singing the same. Ant/O’Day was ultimately voted out.
Among O’Day’s early mentors was Sean “Diddy” Combs.” In last week’s voiceovers, she didn’t mention him by name, but did say, “Every classic fairy tale has a villain. I know I certainly had mine. Like Princess Fiona, I too was trapped in a tower. Frozen, isolated, because of someone else’s dark motivations. He was my own Lord Farquaad, who sought to control my power. He was oppressive, vain and cruel. He told me in order to get ahead that I would have to obey. Be submissive, sweet, and above all, silent. But secrets make you sick. And recently I took a look at myself in the mirror, and I realized that it was time to break out of my prison and take control of my own story. Looking back, I wish that other people wouldn’t have to suffer like I did. I’m here to write the next chapter of my own fairy tale on my own terms.”
Aubrey O’Day as Ant joins Oscar de la Hoya as Fuzzy Peas and Cedric the Entertainer as Honey Pot as the celebrities unmasked on “The Masked Singer” Season 13.
“Rat Pack Night” opened with Robin Thicke singing “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra, along with the Group A finalists Coral, Paparazzo and Ant.
Back for Season 13 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Rita Ora and Robin Thicke. Ora was at the desk for a third consecutive season to fill in for Nicole Scherzinger.
New this season, a mysterious masked character dubbed “Detective Lucky Duck” will appear throughout the season to give clues and help the panelists “quack” the case of who’s under the masks. (He first appeared in this episode.) Also new: The “Crack the Case” clue cases, in which more clues are shared about the eliminated contestant.
Ant’s clue case included a “world record.” “I don’t know, there’s so many!” she said.
“The Masked Singer” Season 13 themed episodes include a tribute to franchises “Shrek” and “Ghostbusters,” as well as the Grand Ole Opry as it hits its 100th anniversary. Also on tap are a tribute to the Rat Pack and themes such as “Voices of Olympus: Unmasking the Gods,” “Carnival,” “Boy Bands,” “Decades,” “Lucky 6 Speed Guessing,” a “Clash of the Masks” and the return of “Soundtrack of My Life.”
Masked contestants in Season 13 include Honey Pot, Space Ranger, Cherry Blossom, Coral, Fuzzy Peas, Ant, Paparazzo, Griffin, Boogie Woogie, Pearl and Bat, with more to be announced later.
Here were the performances on Wednesday’s Episode 3, “Rat Pack Tribute Night”:
Coral, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Becker/Fox)
Song: “Luck Be a Lady,” by Frank Sinatra
Panel guesses: Victoria Justice, Rachel Zegler, Dove Cameron, Camila Mendes
Slot machine clue: Apples. “If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere!”
Coral voiceover: “Made it to the Group A finals! I am dead! And especially for Rat Pack Night, because their music really reminds me of my dad. Growing up on the East Coast, I have the best memories of the two of us driving along the shore playing a little Mickey Blue Eyes and Sammy Davis, Jr. While I dreamed of being a big headliner just like them. But when I moved from the Atlantic to the Pacific and I finally got a shot at stardom, I was like, this shy girl thrown right into the deep end of a whole new world. I was so lonely and terrified I would never fit in. Except there was this one guy who helped me through it all: My dad. He joined me every day on set and would tell me the funniest dad jokes to cheer me up. He made life on this new coast feel like home. So tonight, I’m singing our favorite song. Love you dad. Because of you, I am the luckiest little lady in the world.”
Previous songs: “Mad World,” by Tears for Fears; “Accidentally in Love,” by Counting Crows
Previous panel guesses: Bebe Rexha, Carly Rae Jepsen, Sabrina Carpenter, Halsey, Anna Kendrick, Dove Cameron, Hailee Steinfeld, Lili Reinhart
Ant, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Becker/Fox)
Song: “Fever,” by Peggy Lee
Panel guesses: Aubrey O’Day, Mel B, Charli xcx
Slot machine clue: Moon man. “Well, I don’t live where the moon man lives. But wherever he landed is what gave me a huge start in my career.”
Ant voiceover: “I’m so thrilled for Rat Pack tribute night. I was actually part of a rat pack myself. A colony you could say. When we first got together, it was the perfect fit. The sisters I never had growing up. We came out the gates swinging. Sharing everything together, the success, the fame, the lights. We also shared the bad days. The long hours, the harsh conditions, the constant criticisms. And yet we survived together. And still managed to top the charts, despite it all. It was an ant fever, baby. I wouldn’t be standing here today without them. So tonight, here’s another chart topper from my rat pack. You all will never know how much I love you, how much I care. You are resilient women who are capable of anything.”
Previous songs: “Just Give Me a Reason,” by Pink; “Wide Awake,” by Katy Perry
Previous panel guesses: Lea Michele, Lindsay Lohan, Kesha, Ashanti, Kesha, Lindsay Lohan, Evan Rachel Wood
Paparazzo, “The Masked Singer” (Michael Becker/Fox)
Song: “That’s Amore,” by Dean Martin
Panel guesses: Cole Sprouse, Michael Cera, Henry Thomas, Matthew or Andrew Lawrence
Slot machine clue: Frankenstein. “Monsters under the bed are scary, but on screen they’re not so bad. I know that first-hand.”
Paparazzo voiceover: “I’ve made it to the Group A finals. And on Rat Pack Tribute Night? You know, my entire family loves those guys because – fun fact – I’m actually Italian. When my grandparents came over from the old country – you know, the O.C. – they focused on fitting into American life. Learning English and trying to assimilate. But, two generations later when I was trying to break into the biz, sadly, agencies couldn’t pronounce my real last name. So they suggested I change it. And unfortunately, I did. But I always clung to my heritage, even if people didn’t necessarily know. I’m proud to represent Italian culture, everything from pizza to amore. Now, I’m singing one of the most iconic Italian anthems ever written. So this one is for mi familia. And of course, Frankie and Dino.”
Previous songs: “The Door,” by Teddy Swims; “Hallelujah,” by Leonard Cohen
Previous panel guesses: Taron Egerton, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kieran Culkin, James Marsden, Seth Green, Elijah Wood
In Season 12, Boyz II Men (as the Buffalo) won the Masked trophy, beating out Mario, as the Wasp, who was this season’s runner-up. They joined AJ Michalka as Strawberry Shortcake; Kobie Turner as Goo, Jana Kramer as Royal Knight, Bronson Arroyo as Sherlock Hound, Drake Bell as Ice King, Bethany Hamilton as Macaron, 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.
“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.
