‘The Masked Singer’ Reveals Identity of Bluebell: Here Is the Celebrity Under the Costume
by Michael Schneider · VarietySPOILER ALERT: Details follow for Season 12, Episode 6 of “The Masked Singer,” “60s Night,” which aired November 6 on Fox.
Recording artist Natalie Imbruglia (“Torn”) was an excellent contestant on “The Masked Singer” this season — but the conversation has run dry. That’s what’s going on. Nothing’s fine, she’s torn… and revealed on Wednesday’s episode as the celebrity under the Bluebell costume.
None of the panelists got it right. Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg said it was Naomi Watts. Ken Jeong though it was Rose Byrne. Robin Thicke named Isla Fisher. Rita Ora said it was Kylie Minogue.
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This was a double elimination night, and first up to be unmasked was Imbruglia as Bluebell. Next up, Goo and Wasp faced off in a battle royale on who else was going to be sent home. The duo performed “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye.
Wasp won the battle royale, securing their place in the quarterfinals. But the “Ding Dong Keep It On Bell” — which can be used just once this season to save a singer across all three groups — was rung on Wednesday. That means Goo was saved and is also moving on to the quarterfinals, which so far will consist of Buffalos, Wasp and Goo.
But before they rang the bell, they gave their final guesses for Goo: Rita Ora said Anthony Hamilton, Ken Jeong named Brian McKnight, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg chose Johnny Gill. And Robin Thicke thought it was Leon Bridges.
Imbruglia sang the Countours’ “Do You Love Me” for her performance on this week’s episode. “I love dancing and singing, expressing my creativity,” Imbruglia said in her pre-taped voiceover. “Because there was a time where I had not a drop of inspiration in my bucket. I was at the top of my field, but when things stopped going my way, I was left wondering, does anyone still love me? My ideas dried up and it felt like I couldn’t put two words together to save my life. No seed I planted seemed to grow. And that writers’ block carried on for years. But it all changed the moment I became a mom. All of a sudden, with a fresh cut perspective, inspiration came flooding back. Now being here, I feel like the Bluebell of the ball. So, do you love me? Hopefully enough for me to get to the quarterfinals. Watch me now, hey!”
“60s Night” opened with Group B finalists Bluebell, Goo and Wasp singing “Fun, Fun, Fun” by the Beach Boys.
Natalie Imbruglia as Bluebell joins 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.
Last episode, Imbruglia sang “Dance the Night,” by Dua Lipa, and offered this voiceover: “As a young seedling, I believed that I could be a star. I even wrote a list of all my goals and never questioned that they would manifest. So, when I got my first break, I thought, what could possibly go wrong? The answer? Everything. My career wilted, money dried up and I found myself struggling to make stems meet. But I never stopped believing in myself. So, I started watering a new talent, and suddenly a new career bloomed. And now, I never miss an opportunity to dance the night away. Because every moment in life is blue-tiful.”
Back for Season 12 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke, while Ora also returned to the desk for the second consecutive season to fill in for Nicole Scherzinger.
“The Masked Singer” Season 12 themed episodes include tributes to Mattel’s Barbie as it hits its 65th anniversary, and the film “Footloose” as it marks its 40th anniversary. Miley Cyrus will also be honored with an episode devoted to her music catalog, while also new is a “Who Are You Fest,” featuring music from “memorable festival lineups,” as well as a “Sports Night” and a “60’s Night.” Tentpole themes that are back include “Soundtrack of My Life” and “Thanksgiving Night.”
New this season, clues will be “strategically embedded in costumes, in song choices and on-stage moments.” And the fifteen celebrity contestants will be endorsed by a “celebrity Masked Ambassador,” made up of previous participants including Dick Van Dyke (Season 9’s Gnome), Jewel (Season 6 winner as the Queen of Hearts), Ne-yo (Season 10 winner as the Cow) and DeMarcus Ware (Season 11’s Koala). And the “Ding Dong Keep It On” bell is also back this morning, but only one singer across the three group finals can be saved.
Season 12 features 15 contestants performing in new costumes including “Ship,” “Leaf Sheep,” “Woodpecker,” “Chess Piece,” “Bluebell,” “Buffalo,” “Showbird,” “Dust Bunny,” “Goo,” “Strawberry Shortcake” and more.
Here were the final Group B performances on Wednesday’s Episode 6, “60s Night”:
Goo
Song: “House of the Rising Sun,” by the Animals
Panel guesses: Anthony Hamilton, Brian McKnight, Leon Bridges
Inventions of the 60s clue: A whistle (inside Jell-o). “’Oh say can you see,’ that has a special meaning to me in more than one way.”
Goo voiceover: “Making it to the Group B finals makes me feel all warm and gooey inside. Honestly, I’m just now starting to fully believe in myself. I once had a major goal and scraped up just enough money to survive for only one year to try to make it happen. I was on borrowed slime. With a dollar and a dream, I didn’t just coast. I worked harder than anyone else. And luckily, it paid off. That’s when I got a rare call that changed everything. You know, this past year has been pretty far out. A total rush. And I feel I’m still on the rise to greatness. It just goos to show, nothing’s impossible if you bet on yourself. I’m trying to remember that tonight. Because it would literally melt my heart if I made it to the quarter finals.”
Previous songs: “Lose Control,” by Teddy Swims; “Miss Independent,” by Ne-Yo
Previous panel guesses: Jon Batiste, Shaboozey, Khalid, Al Green, Cee-lo Green, Kirk Franklin, Johnny Gill
Bluebell
Song: “Do You Love Me,” by the Contours
Panel guesses: Rose Byrne, Kylie Minogue, Naomi Watts
Inventions of the 60s clue: Easy Bake Oven. “That’s a vegemite sandwich, Nick! It’s considered a delicacy where I was born.”
Bluebell voiceover: “Phew! I can’t believe it. I made it to the Group B finals! I love dancing and singing, expressing my creativity. Because there was a time where I had not a drop of inspiration in my bucket. I was at the top of my field, but when things stopped going my way, I was left wondering, does anyone still love me? My ideas dried up and it felt like I couldn’t put two words together to save my life. No seed I planted seemed to grow. And that writers’ block carried on for years. But it all changed the moment I became a mom. All of a sudden, with a fresh cut perspective, inspiration came flooding back. Now being here, I feel like the Bluebell of the ball. So, do you love me? Hopefully enough for me to get to the quarterfinals. Watch me now, hey!”
Previous songs: “We Belong,” by Pat Benatar; “Dance the Night,” by Dua Lipa
Previous panel guesses: Taylor Momsen, Elle Goulding, Paris Hilton, Leighton Meester, Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway, Lindsay Lohan
Wasp
Song: “Ain’t No Way,” by Aretha Franklin
Panel guesses: Mario, Craig David, Eric Benét, Jason Derulo
Inventions of the 60s clue: The ATM. (Robin Thicke’s face on a bill.) “Just like this bill, I’ve also hit a million.”
Wasp voiceover: “Getting into the Group B finals makes me feel like a superhero under this wasp armor. In my life, there’s been one hero that I admire most. And that’s my mother. She was creative, she loved Halloween. She loved costumes more than anything. She was my protector. Fighting off invisible monsters under my bed. And neighborhood kids who would try and steal my bike. As I got older, I started to see cracks in her armor. As she faced her darkest battle yet. And tried everything I could to save her. But no amount of money, no amount of love could mend her broken wings. When she passed, I thought I’d never recover from the sting. I still feel it. I think about her all the time. But me being here would have brought so much joy to her. She’d probably try to steal my costume to wear it herself. She’d be so proud of me. She wouldn’t want me to stop here. So tonight, this is for her. My queen bee.”
Previous songs: “Rock Your Body,” by Justin Timberlake; “Skyscraper,” by Demi Lovato
Previous panel guesses: Taye Diggs, Bruno Mars, Jason Derulo, Miguel, Frank Ocean, Daveed Diggs
Last season’s performers included Vanessa Hudgens, who won the Season 11 crown as Goldfish, beating out Scott Porter, who had performed as Gumball. Other performers included Thelma Houston (Clock), Chrissy Metz (Poodle Moth), Corey Feldman (Seal) and Clay Aiken/Ruben Studdard (Beets), Jenifer Lewis (Miss Cleocatra), Kate Flannery (Starfish), Charlie Wilson (Ugly Sweater), DeMarcus Ware (Koala), Colton Underwood (Love Bird), Sisqó (Lizard), Billy Bush (Sir Lion), Joe Bastianich (Spaghetti & Meatballs), Savannah Chrisley (Afghan Hound) and Kevin Hart (Book).
“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.