The Masked Singer season 12: Who got eliminated in episode 5

The Masked Singer season 12 episode 5 premiered on October 23 on FOX and showcased Barbie Night. In the episode, the contestants and panelists Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Rita Ora, and Robin Thicke celebrated Mattel's Barbie for the 65th anniversary.

By the end of the episode, Chess Piece received the fewest votes and was eliminated from the competition. After the panelists' incorrect guesses, the contestant was revealed to be Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox.

The synopsis for episode 5 reads:

"It's time to head inside the Barbie Dream House to learn more about the Group B celebrities as they pay tribute to the 65th anniversary of Mattel's Barbie, celebrating over six decades of breaking down boundaries and inspiring girls to explore their limitless potential!"

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How did Chess Piece get eliminated in The Masked Singer season 12 episode 5?

In The Masked Singer season 12 episode 5, Chess Piece revealed that she had a special connection to Barbie. In her clue package, the contestant shared that as a kid, she was a "rich target for others to tease" and felt that every piece of her was something others could poke at.

Cox expressed her love for Barbie and how she wasn't allowed to play with her.

"The criticism and scrutiny continued over the years and made me question everything I love about myself. So, I had to take control of my own board. And the one thing that helped me heal was the one thing I was missing all along: Barbie," she said.

The Masked Singer contestant shared that she began buying Barbie dolls for herself and realized it’s never too late to relive a happy childhood. She also revealed that a Barbie doll had been modeled after her, adding a personal connection to the iconic toy.

Cox expressed that "Barbie can be anything," and this empowered her and countless other women to believe they can achieve anything as well. She dedicated her Barbie Night performance to women everywhere, honoring their limitless potential.

"Even decades later. And now, they even modeled one after me. Barbie can be anything. She made me and every woman feel like we can be anything too. So tonight, I’m here to celebrate all of us. Every woman out there," Chess Piece said.

Chess Piece selected a perfect song for the evening, delivering a powerful rendition of I'm Every Woman by Chaka Khan. She performed it in a higher register, leading the panel to believe they recognized the familiar voice behind the mask. After her performance, the Men-in-Pink brought out her toy, a Barbie toy modeled after her.

The Masked Singer contestant's Barbie clue was a Barbie mirror set. She shared that while she had the toy version at home, her real-life counterpart was the life-sized version.

With all the clues in front of them and hearing the contestant sing, panelists guessed that Chess Piece might be Tyra Banks, Misty Copeland, or Issa Rae.

By the end of episode 5 of The Masked Singer season 12, the votes were in, and Chess Piece was at the bottom. She had to remove her mask and reveal her identity to fans and the panel.

Before the revelation, panelist provided their final guesses of who they thought was under the mask. Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg believed the singer was Serena Williams. Ken Jeong guessed it was Issa Rae. Robin Thicke put up Misty Copeland's name, while Rita Ora went with Tyra Banks.

All of The Masked Singer panel members were wrong, and Chess Piece was revealed to be Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox.

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The Masked Singer season 12 episodes air every Wednesday on FOX.