SPOILER ALERT: Details follow for Season 14, Episode 5 of “The Masked Singer,” “Red, White and Clue,” which aired Feb. 4 on Fox.
For Teddi Mellencamp, appearing on “The Masked Singer” “got me out of a pretty dark place, and I am forever grateful.” Mellencamp ended her run as Calla Lily, after performing “Jack and Diane,” the No. 1 hit made famous by her father (back when he was still performing as John Cougar). She had previously performed “Fight Song,” by Rachel Platten.
Among the panelists, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg got it right with Teddi Mellencamp. Ken Jeong thought it was Christina Applegate, Rita Ora guessed Selma Blair, and Robin Thicke went with Danielle Fishel.
“I’m not a singer by trade, clearly, and so that part was challenging for me,” Mellencamp said. “Also, a big part of my memory has been askew since my brain surgery. So I was a little bit nervous, but I was excited to push myself out of my comfort zone and try something new, and it felt like it gave me a little bit of life.”
Mellencamp said she decided to appear on “The Masked Singer” because she watches it with her children, who immediately identified her after her first performance this season. She had also informed her father, whom she asked singing advice.
“He’s like, ‘just sing loud and proud. And you know, if you sing something off key, it doesn’t matter.’” Had she continued on the show, Mellencamp was hoping to perform “Before He Cheats,’ by Carrie Underwood.
Mellencamp has recently made headlines for battling Stage 4 cancer — particularly when her father, John Mellencamp, told podcast host Joe Rogan that his daughter “is really sick” and “suffering right now.”
On another podcast, Teddi Mellencamp said she’s in immunotherapy and still considered Stage 4, although there’s currently no trace of cancer. And she seemed in good spirits Wednesday as she discussed being the latest notable to be revealed on “The Masked Singer’s” “Red, White and Clue Night.”
In an earlier clue package on the show, Mellencamp — as Calla Lily — alluded to her health: “I was recently reminded how precious it all is. The doctors didn’t catch it at first, but I knew something was wrong. I pushed back and needed answers. When they told me the diagnosis, my world stopped. But then I thought about my children. I chose to face my fears and fight. And it seems to be working. I still have good days and bad ones. But when this opportunity popped up, I jumped at it. I’m nervous but I’m present.”
High Voltage, Owl, Pangolin and Eggplant join Galaxy Girl, Stingray, Cat Witch, Pugcasso, Snow Cone and Crane in moving on to the next round.
Teddi Mellencamp (Calla Lily) joins Claudia Oshry (Queen Corgi), Taraji P. Henson (Scarab), Tone Loc (Handyman), Tiffany Haddish (Le Who Who), Todd and Julie Chrisley (Croissants) and David “Big Papi” Ortiz (Googly Eyes) as the celebrities unmasked so far on “The Masked Singer” Season 14.
Back for Season 14 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists McCarthy Wahlberg, Jeong, Ora and Thicke. Thicke opened this episode by singing James Brown’s “Living in America.”
New this season is “America’s Insider,” in which singer, dancer and social media personality Kylie Cantrall will share behind-the-scenes hints and clues for viewers. The twist: Cantrall is in costume as Cat Witch, but will only unmask for viewers — so the audience knows who she is, but the panelists don’t.
“The Masked Singer” Season 14 themed episodes include a tribute to “Star Trek,” the ‘90s comedy “Clueless,” the comic franchise “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and the blockbuster “Twilight Saga” films. Also Fox’s new “Fear Factor” reboot will feature host Johnny Knoxville in a “Fear Factor: House of Fear Night,” and an “Ozzfest Night” honors late rocker Ozzy Osbourne, including a special tribute by “Masked Singer” alum Kelly Osbourne (Season 2’s Ladybug) saluting her father’s musical influence.
The 18 Masked contestants in Season 14 include Eggplant, Pugcasso, Queen Corgi, the Croissants, Owl, 14 Karat Carrot, Snow Cone, Galaxy Girl, High Voltage, Googly Eyes, Scarab, Handyman, Crane, Le Who Who, Pangolin, Stingray, Cat Witch and Calla Lily.
Per the show, the Season 14 contestants have sold a combined 94 million records, received 47 Teen Choice Award nominations, 12 Emmy nominations, two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one Tony Award win and one Academy Award nomination.
Here were the performances on Wednesday’s episode.
Nick Cannon and High Voltage, “The Masked Singer.”
Trae Patton
High Voltage
Song: “Miles On It,” Kane Brown and Marshmello
Previous song: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” by Tears for Fears
Clue: Guitar. “I’ve had this by my side since I was 13. It reminds me the greatest comes from finding your rhythm and sticking with it.”
Panel guesses: Jimmy Fallon, Conan O’Brien, John Stamos
Previous panel guesses: Conan O’Brien, Julian Edelman
High Voltage voiceover: “You know what makes America so special? Me. Just kidding. It’s the American dream. My dad immigrated to America with a passion for science. He met my mom, a poet, and the rest is history. Growing up, I lived the full American experience. Slurpees in the summer, Van Halen on repeat, MTV on full blast. And then boom, we’re in the back yard spit roasting a goat. America is called the melting pot for a reason. Who could have guessed, I’d go on to become an American icon. I suppose that’s my version of the American dream. Family, friends, culture coming together and a whole lot of goat.”
Calla Lily, “The Masked Singer”
Trae Patton
Calla Lily
Song: “Jack and Diane,” by John Mellencamp
Previous song: “Fight Song,” by Rachel Platten
Clue: Diamond key. “This has unlocked countless doors for me and reminds me to step boldly into what comes next.”
Panel guesses: Danielle Fishel, Selma Blair, Teddi Mellencamp
Previous panel guesses: Selma Blair, Christina Applegate
Calla Lily voiceover: “I can’t celebrate America and not mention an American legend. He’s an icon, but to me, he’s so much more. His main focus was to make my life normal. But man, he was strict. Once, he even grounded me for being late to dinner. At the table, in front of Madonna and Sean Penn. Talk about a mortifying way to find a life lesson. For a while, I resented him for not making my life easy. And there were years that we were distant. When I stopped asking him for his handouts and instead asked him for his wisdom, our relationship flourished. Now, I’m thankful for all he’s done for me. It made me tough, strong and always on time for dinner.”
Owl, “The Masked Singer”
Owl
Song: “Ain’t No Sunshine,” by Bill Withers
Previous song: “Wild Thing,” by the Troggs
Clue: Super bowl. “I was super-excited when I got to play a part in one of America’s biggest events. Millions of eyes glued to my every move.”
Panel guesses: Matthew McConaughey, Kurt Russell, Jeff Daniels
Previous panel guesses: Matthew McConaughey, Billy Bob Thornton
Owl voiceover: “I love America’s favorite pastime as much as anyone. But I’m no pro. Back in the day, I was a scrappy, right-handed slugger. Then one day, my heart was telling me something. This was not my path. So I turned in my glove. I knew there were other fields for me to play in. And guess what? I soared to success. Now that’s a lesson I try to teach my kids. Follow your heart and no matter the field, you’ll always hit a grand slam.”
Eggplant, “The Masked Singer”
Trae Patton
Eggplant
Song: “American Woman,” by Lenny Kravitz
Previous song: “Rocket Man,” by Elton John
Clue: Hot sauce. “Some say my career has been hot, hot, hot. And I think this bottle says it best.”
Panel guesses: Billy Joel, Daryl Hall, Kenny Loggins
Previous panel guesses: Martin Short, Nathan Lane
Eggplant voiceover: “Life comes at you fast. Especially in the land of opportunity. Like the time I crashed the most iconic event in pop history: The recording of ‘We Are the World.’ I got the private invite from Quincy Jones. Suddenly, I’m hanging with 45 of the biggest legends in music. Now, I topped the charts myself, but I was starstruck. Springsteen. Turner. Dylan. Then along comes MJ, and he tells me, ‘I loved your album. And your voice. Keep doing your thing.’ I was so inspired. And now here’s something I love more than America, an American woman.”
Pangolin, “The Masked Singer”
Trae Patton
Wild Card: Pangolin
Song: “Ironic,” by Alanis Morrisette
Clue: Winner. “My first big win was more than a dream come true. It was proof that passion and hard work can pay off.”
Panel guesses: Sara Bareilles, Christina Perri, Katy Perry
Pangolin voiceover: “Where I’m from is rich with American history. And we all speak the same language: Sports. My family was way into it. My dad would quiz me on Sunday’s starting lineup. And I’d always get it right. I was pretty obsessed. Fast forward to high school. I was at a game with my boyfriend, and after watching the half time show, I was struck, I wanted to do that. He laughed and told me it would never happened. I stared at him and said, I’m going to prove you so wrong. And I did. Right after I dumped him. I became the halftime queen. Turns out, my sports obsessed roots fueled my competitive fire. And to that silly high school boy who said I’d never make it, pretty ironic, don’t you think?.”
Past “The Masked Singer” winners include T-Pain as Monster (Season 1), Wayne Brady as Fox (Season 2), Kandi Burruss as Night Angel (Season 3), LeAnn Rimes as Sun (Season 4), Nick Lachey as Piglet (Season 5), Jewel as Queen of Hearts (Season 6), Teyana Taylor as Firefly (Season 7), Amber Riley as Harp (Season 8), Bishop Briggs as Medusa (Season 9), Ne-Yo as Cow (Season 10), Vanessa Hudgens as Goldfish (Season 11), Boyz II Men as Buffalos (Season 12) and Gretchen Wilson as Pearl (Season 13).
“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.
