SPOILER ALERT: Details for The Masked Singer Season 12, Episode 2, “Footloose Night,” which aired October 2 on Fox, follow.

Wednesday night’s reveal of “The Masked Singer” was an emotional one for “” star Yvette Nicole Brown, who was revealed to be the showbird in Episode 2 of Season 12. While Brown was recording the episode, she was also dealing with some personal matters related to caring for her father.

“Some of it felt hard because I’m singing, but I’m thinking, ‘Is daddy okay?'” she said Diversity. “But when I was exposed, I was able to let it all out. Plus, I was able to surprise Ken and it was everything I hoped for!”

That’s “Ken” as in “The Masked Singer” panelist Ken Jeong, Brown’s “Community” co-star, who of course guessed her correctly. Among the other panelists, Robin Thicke agreed with Jeong, while Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg thought it was Taraji P. Henson. Rita Ora said it was Shiela E.

At her final performance, Brown sang “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler. “Music is very important to me and it was my first love,” Brown said. “I started as a singer. I got signed to Motown when I was a teenager, and when I didn’t get that, that didn’t happen. There was a pain, like a scar, in that spot. And so I kind of pushed it aside, took my ball and went home, determined never to sing as myself again. I will sing as a character. I’ll sing for acting, but I’ll never do it as Yvette again, and technically I didn’t do it as Yvette this time as Showbird. But it was fun to take a step back to something I really loved in a safe place.”

Yvette Nicole Brown as Showbird joins John Elway as Leaf Sheep as the celebrities are unmasked on season 12 of The Masked Singer.

With that experience, Brown said she might be ready to dive back into the professional singing waters – perhaps initially as a backup singer. “I just want to encourage everyone who was asked to do ‘The Masked Singer’: If you’re a chicken like me and are afraid of it, say yes, it would be one of the best experiences you’ve ever had.” that in this crazy business,” she added.

And yes, Brown confirmed again that she will indeed be back as Shirley in the upcoming Community film. “Everyone is coming back,” she said. “Everyone is excited and it’s going to be wonderful.”

“‘Footloose’ Night” began with Thicke singing the film’s theme song, as originally sung by Kenny Loggins.

Returning for Season 12 is host Nick Cannon alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke, while Ora also returned to the panel for the second year in a row to fill in for Nicole Scherzinger.

Thematic episodes of The Masked Singer Season 12 include tributes to Mattel’s Barbie on its 65th anniversary and the film Footloose on its 40th anniversary. Miley Cyrus will also be honored with an episode dedicated to her music catalog. Also new is a “Who Are You Fest” with music from “memorable festival lineups,” as well as a “Sports Night” and a “60’s Night.” Returning tentpole themes include “Soundtrack of My Life” and “Thanksgiving Night.”

New this season are cues that are “strategically embedded into costumes, song choices and stage moments.” And the fifteen celebrity contestants will be joined by a “celebrity masked ambassador” made up of previous contestants including Dick Van Dyke (Season 9 Gnome), Jewel (Season 6 winner as Queen of Hearts), and Ne-yo (Season 10 winner). as the cow) and DeMarcus Ware (Koala from season 11).

Season 12 features 15 contestants in new costumes, including Ship, Leaf Sheep, Woodpecker, Chess Piece, Bluebell, Buffalo, Showbird, Dust Bunny, Goo , “Strawberry Shortcake” and more.

Here are Group A’s remaining performances on Wednesday’s episode 2, “Footloose Night”:

Showbird

Song: “Let’s Give It Up for the Boy” by Deniece Williams

Panel estimates: Yvette Nicole Brown, Taraji P. Henson

A notice: Music box with dance music. “That’s more my mood. Because in ’94 I was part of a hip-hop empire.”

Showbird voiceover: “I always knew that if I had the chance to do something in front of the lights, I would do something good with it. When I got this chance, work became my whole life. I was married to it. But I couldn’t help but feel like maybe something was missing. Real love. The way Ren and Ariel are found in “Footloose.” Then I recently reconnected with an old bird friend who unexpectedly became my love bird. Not you, Colton. He encouraged me to rekindle my first flame, which I had given up for two decades: singing. But his love helped me find that carefree confidence again. What brought me here. So tonight, let’s give it up for my baby. My love bird.”

Previous song: “Just Fine” by Mary J. Blige

Previous panel guesses: Jennifer Hudson, Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington

The ship

Song: “Almost Paradise” by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson

Panel estimates: Kate Bush, Sarah McLachlan, Amy Grant, Sheryl Crow

Notice: Melissa Etheridge, Whoopi Goldberg and Kevin Bacon. “I’m three degrees away from Kevin Bacon. I’m connected to Melissa Etheridge, who’s connected to Whoopi Goldberg, who starred in Destination Anywhere with Kevin Bacon.”

The ship comment: “As the lyrics of ‘Footloose’ say, everyone takes off their Sunday shoes. Easy, right? Well, not when you’re a ship in the trunk. In high school, I was a star cheerleader, class president, and was even voted prom queen. When I injured my foot and the doctor said I would have to sit on the sidelines for a whole year, my heart sank. My frustration led me to the family piano. Where I sat and played for hours. It was my therapy. I channeled my sadness, my joy, my expression. Music became my paradise. And it has been a healing spring ever since. The good news is that the only boots I wear these days are leather. And made for dancing. And tonight I feel like I’m knocking on heaven’s door.”

Previous song: “Pompeii” from Bastille

Previous panel guesses: Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osbourne, Enya, Sarah McLachlan

woodpecker

Song: “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler

Panel estimates: Letitia Wright, Willow Smith, Regina King

Notice: Kevin Bacon’s shoes from “Footloose.” “Another bird from The Masked Singer family shares with me his fashionable passion for shoes.”

Woodpecker voiceover: “Just like in Footloose, I know a thing or two about fighting for what you believe in. As a young girl, when most kids played in treehouses, I put down roots in Hollywood. It was uncomfortable growing up in front of the world. From learning to wear heels to flirting with boys, God forbid uttering a curse word. Everyone in my store was energetic and treated me like I was their child. It’s one thing for your mother to tell you what to do. And another thing when everyone around you is chirping. I have always remained stubborn and danced to the growing pains of my own pace. And in return, young birds follow in my footsteps and see me as their hero. But my advice? You can also be your own hero. And tonight I’m singing a song that has always helped me celebrate myself. I hope it’s a knockout.”

Previous song: “Flowers” ​​by Miley Cyrus

Previous panel guesses: Willow Smith, Cardi B, Halle Bailey, Keke Palmer

buffalo

Song: “Waiting for a Girl Like You” by Foreigner

Panel estimates: Bel Biv DeVoe, 112, Boyz II Men, Big Time Rush

Notice: “Mo-Town.” “We’re a little tired right now because we’re busy mowing lawns all over town with this tractor.”

Buffalo’s voiceover: “You know how when someone tells you you can’t do something, you just want to do it more? Well, just like those kids in “Footloose” who long to dance, we’re all rebels in our own way. Somehow we found each other along the way. Everyone told us we couldn’t just do our thing. But we didn’t listen. We did this by not caring at all what people thought. Do you think we’re cheesy? Who cares. We’re rich! And if you think we take ourselves too seriously, look at us. We’re out here dressed like a couple of Wrestlemania buffaloes about to sing a track from “Footloose.” We’re damn funny! Do the same and don’t let anyone tell you who or what you should be. With that in mind, here’s a love song to show you how cheesy and rich we are!”

Previous song: “(I Just) Died In Your Arms” by Cutting Crew

Previous panel guesses: B2K, earth wind and fire, 98 degrees

Last season’s cast included Vanessa Hudgens, who won the Season 11 crown as Goldfish, defeating Scott Porter, who appeared as Gumball. Other cast members 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 of Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp.