Craig: Last week, the super six hit the stage...
You are maybe the most versatile performer of the show.
...For an all-out dance battle.
- It was fire! - Whoo!
- This is a fun show. - In the end,
hammerhead lost his head.
Craig: Vinny guadagnino from the "jersey shore,"
- y'all, come on! - Oh, my god!
Tonight, another masked first.
Whoo!
We will get clues about our stars
from those who have gotten to know them the best--
- their dance partners. ■ - five, six, seven, eight.
But will teamwork make the dream work?
One star will fall just short of the semi-finals.
- Bravo! - Ashley: Whoo!
Who are you? You are the one to beat right now.
Oh, my god!
So grab your partner and get ready
for "the masked dancer" top five.
( music playing )
♪ who is that?
♪ feeling myself from my head to my feet ♪
♪ make you feel the heat from the boom-boom beat ♪
- paula: Yeah! - Ken: Oh, yeah!
Good job, craig.
Welcome to "the masked dancer."
I'm your host craig robinson.
We're all still recovering from that explosive
super six episode from last week...
- Yes! - ...Where our panel was so close,
but so far from guessing the identity of the hammerhead,
- vinny guadagnino. ■ - oh, my god.
Only five dancers remain--
the tulip, the zebra,
the sloth, the exotic bird,
and the cotton candy.
In only a few weeks, one will be crowned
the first ever winner of the diamond mask trophy.
Let's say hi to the most photogenic panel on tv.
- Brian austin green. - Ken: Yeah!
- Paula abdul. - Ashley: Whoo!
Dr. Ken jeong.
- Ashley tisdale. - Ken: Whoo!
And who's our guest panelist?
She has four career emmy nominations,
a phd in neuroscience,
and the hottest new comedy on fox.
Who is this overachiever?
Say it with me, audience.
( chanting ) take it off! Take it off!
Yes, it's the star of "call me kat," mayim bialik.
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
- Mayim! - Hey.
We've learned a lot about our masked dancers this season,
but tonight we'll hear exclusive interviews from their dance partners.
It's the only person to see our dancers' real identity,
and each will offer up some new clues.
- Oh. - We're kicking things off with the tulip,
tv's favorite flower since mayim bialik played blossom.
But let's hear from her dance partner to learn
even more about this blooming talent.
Oh, man, I have loved spending so much time with tulip.
She's basically my new best friend.
- Star with iced coffee. - "frozen." kristen bell.
We have a secret handshake we do before each performance to get fired up.
We're so close, she even invited me over
to watch the premiere of "the masked dancer."
- is that a peanut butter and jelly? - Yeah.
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
I'm constantly impressed
that tulip can pick up any dance style.
- She can work it. ■ - you just brought the stakes up even higher.
- But that kind of runs in the family. ■ - family size chip bag.
Someone from a famous family?
For tonight's dance, we're doing what best friends do.
That's right. We're having a slumber party right in the middle of the stage.
If we can keep in sync
and do justice to this classic song,
she's gonna make it to the semi-finals.
There's not stopping this tulip.
- There was a lot of food in there. - A lot of food.
- I'm hungry after watching that. - Peanut butter and jelly.
Biologically, tulips love to eat potato chips.
- That's a biological fact. - We're doctors. We know these things.
Craig: Let's hear it for the tulip.
I'm very excited.
♪ he went away, you hung around ♪
♪ and bothered me every night ♪
♪ when I wouldn't go out with you ♪
- ♪ you said things that weren't very nice ♪ ■ - sassy.
♪ my boyfriend's back and you're gonna be in trouble ♪
♪ hey-la-day-la, my boyfriend's back ♪
♪ you see him coming, better cut out on the double ♪
♪ hey-la-day-la, my boyfriend's back ♪
♪ you been spreading lies that I was untrue ♪
♪ hey-la-day-la, my boyfriend's back ♪
♪ so look out now, 'cause he's coming after you ♪
♪ hey-la-day-la, my boyfriend's back ♪
♪ and he knows what you've been trying ♪
- whoo! - Ken: Wow.
♪ yeah, he knows that you've been lying ♪
♪ he's been gone for such a long time ♪
♪ hey-la-day-la, my boyfriend's back ♪
♪ now he's back and things will be fine ♪
♪ hey-la-day-la, my boyfriend's back ♪
♪ you're gonna be sorry you were ever born ♪
♪ hey-la-day-la, my boyfriend's back ♪
- yes! - ♪ 'cause he's kind of big and he's awful strong ♪
♪ hey-la-day-la, my boyfriend's back ♪
♪ la-day-la, my boyfriend's back ♪
♪ here he comes, la-day-la ♪
♪ yeah, my boyfriend's back
- yes! Yes, yes, yes! - Oh, my god.
- Whoo! - Ken: Tulip!
Ashley: Oh, she is for sure making the semi-finals.
- Paula: That was cute. - That was awesome.
The timing. Catch a pillow and smack somebody with it.
Well done, tulip. Well done.
What did you all think about this performance? Ken?
Oh, my goodness. What a way to kick off the final five
- here on "the masked dancer." - ashley: Yes!
This had everything. You had comedy, you had fun,
you had heart, and you had skill.
It told an amazing story.
And, mayim, I think she has blossomed into a superstar.
Oh, man. Nice.
Outside of this show,
do you have any stage experience?
I'm no stranger to the stage.
I've been performing my whole life.
( all murmuring )
mayim: I really loved this.
There's a huge personality
that you have to put into your dance.
And this is not just someone who's technically skilled.
- You're absolutely right. - This is someone who can convey
like a little sass, and a little of this.
Like, a lot of different, really, personality came out
in different parts of the song.
And unless you're paula abdul, you cannot be over 35.
Because I'm exhausted just watching.
It was delightful. I had a great time.
All right, time for us to remove the voice modulation and hear her one word.
- What? - It's a game I call word up.
♪ word up
♪ it's the code word
♪ no matter where you say it ♪
♪ you'll know that you'll be heard ♪
lifetime achievements.
- All: Lifetime achievements? - Whoa. Two words, yo!
Oh, snap!
- She sounds young. - Brian: Yeah.
Yes! I'm feeling like she's a little too young
- to have, like, a lifetime achievement. - Maybe a lifetime movie.
- Brian: Ah. - Also, that wasn't a bold voice.
- No, not a bold voice. - It was not a bold voice.
It was like, "hey, I live in a cul-de-sac" kind of voice.
Craig: Paula, what names are you getting?
Okay, from the first day that you performed,
- you were an amazing dancer. - Ashley: Yeah.
Paula: In the past few performances,
I was thinking ariana grande
and then thinking kristen bell.
But now I'm thinking you're a different kind of triple threat.
- Brian: Yeah. - The whole social media, tiktok influencer--
- yeah. - I'm thinking liza koshy.
Ooh, I hadn't thought about that, but yes.
Paula: Because you act, you dance,
it said "work it" in the package.
Liza koshy is in a movie-- the same name. "work it."
- I feel it in my bones. - ♪ feel it in my bones
brian: Good guess. Based on the clues,
I saw a family pack, best friend.
So I started thinking, okay, famous sisters.
Someone like hillary duff's sister haylie duff.
- Ken: That's nice. - Ashley: That's sweet.
- That's a good guess. - This is someone with some skill.
- Paula: Yes. - I was also getting that, like, famous sister--
like, you drink iced lattes. Like, it's fun. You're sis--
I thought of somebody like jamie lynn spears. That's what I thought.
- Ken: That's a great guess. - Paula: That's a great guess.
- Mayim: That's what I thought. - I think that's a really good guess, though.
For a phd, that is a relatively good guess,
- and I mean that with all my heart. - Ay-yi-yi.
Brian: I'm dying to know who is underneath that costume,
and who is hiding from us because these performances have been amazing.
- Ashley: Yes! - Let's hear it for the tulip.
- Yes, yes. - Thank you, tulip.
Craig: Did the tulip just grow into the lead?
Or is it time to call the florist and ask for a refund?
Use the hashtag #themaskeddancer and tell us.
- Ken: Whoa! - This is absolutely unbelievable.
Craig: Coming up, the top five keep fighting for a spot in the semi-finals.
If this is oscar de la hoya, I'm gonna lose my mind.
And then, an unmasking no one saw coming.
( screaming )
craig: Welcome back to "the masked dancer,"
the only show on tv that has you doing the polka in your pjs.
Up next, we get a visit from the zebra.
The panel believes this party animal
has shown the most growth of any competitor this season.
But what does his dance partner have to say?
I just love asking questions to the camera.
Watch this.
- Man: Tell me about zebra. - Zebra's more fun than you could imagine.
Zebra, who are you? You blew me away.
Considering he's a champion in his field,
I'm not surprised he's such a good student.
1992? Who had a big year in 1992?
Not only is he super-sensitive and caring,
which I would never have guessed...
Isn't ricky martin a goodwill ambassador?
...But zebra is also incredibly strong.
His muscles are like cinder blocks.
He literally has zero fat on his body.
- Zero fat? That's hard to do. - Athlete?
The road started out a bit rocky.
- Whoa! Sorry! - But he's a fighter.
Plus, he has two entire countries cheering us on and dancing with us.
He may not be the best dancer in the top five,
but he has the most heart, and tonight,
we're going to bring the party again.
- Oh, boy. - Two countries?
- Hmm. - Ashley: Interesting.
Craig: Let's hear it for the zebra.
- ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ■ - whoa!
♪ da-da-da-da-da-da
♪ da-da-da-da-da-da, jason derulo ♪
♪ pull up on your body
♪ performing just on my 'rari ♪
♪ you're too fine, need a ticket ♪
♪ I bet you taste expensive
- ♪ pouring up, up, up by the liter ♪ ■ - whoa!
♪ if you keeping up, you's a keeper ♪
♪ tequila and vodka
♪ girl, you might be a problem ♪
♪ run away, run away, run away, run away ♪
♪ I know that I should
♪ but my heart wanna stay, wanna stay, wanna stay, wanna stay now ♪
♪ you can see it in my eyes that I wanna take you down right now if I could ♪
♪ so I hope you know what I mean when I say ♪
♪ let me take you dancing, two-step to the bedroom ♪
♪ we don't need no dance floor ♪
♪ let me see your best move
♪ anything could happen
♪ ever since I met you
♪ no need to imagine
♪ baby, all I'm asking
♪ is let me take you dancing ♪
♪ like da-da-da-da-da-da
♪ da-da-da-da-da-da
♪ if you know what I mean
♪ da-da-da-da-da-da
♪ let me take you dancing ♪
- ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ■ - ken: Yeah!
♪ da-da-da-da-da-da
♪ da-da-da-da-da-da, dancing ♪
- yeah! Oh, there he goes. - Yes! Yes!
- Whoo! - Yes!
Ashley: Yes! Look at him go!
Look at him go.
All right, well done. What did you think about that performance?
I really enjoyed this performance because there was a tremendous sense of humor,
- energy, and flexibility. - And dedication.
Exactly. I love that. Also there were a lot of different styles.
There was, like, a little cha-cha in there and, like--
we're seeing more moves right now.
- Brian: My goodness. - ♪ brian austin green
- oh, my god. - Is that not an amazing song?
Written by our own craig robinson. Thank you very much.
It's just his name.
To be out there as long as you were by yourself this time was really impressive.
You may not be the best dancer,
but you always have the most fun.
- Ashley: Yes. - And you have amazing footwork.
And that's sort of a go-to for you.
- I still am stuck on boxing. - Same.
- I've been a big fan of boxing... - Same.
...Because I know footwork is a big part of that.
Has anyone ever noticed that he always has his hands like this in his costume?
- He has guard up? - Mayim: Yes. I like where you're going.
I picked up on the same thing. I am a boxing fan as well.
- Ooh. - And--
- yeah, there it is. - There's something about
the placement of torso above legs.
- I'm not even kidding right now. - Brian: Yeah, yeah.
- Whoa! - It's a certain balance thing
- that boxers pick up on. - Ken: Whoa! Yeah.
- Craig: Hey, our panel needs a little help. - Yeah.
Time for us to remove the voice modulation off the zebra's voice
and hear his one word clue.
♪ word up
♪ it's the code word
♪ no matter where you say it ♪
♪ you'll know that you'll be heard ♪
- author. - All: Author.
Tiger woods, wayne gretzky. They've written both books. I don't know who else.
Michael b. Jordan has written a book.
- Many people have written books. - Good point, mayim.
- Huh. - That's why you're a phd.
Okay, based on the new clues, what are you getting? Mayim?
Mayim: So, for many reasons,
especially the two country thing,
the zero percent body fat,
the very specific description of a very specific body,
- which many of us know... - Yeah.
...Does come in fine fighters,
I do think that there is a good chance
- that this is oscar de la hoya. - Ken: Wow. Good guess.
And if this is oscar de la hoya, I'm gonna lose my mind
because that would be a tremendous honor.
Wouldn't that be awesome? That's who I guessed last time.
- I would be very excited. - Craig: Ashley?
In a previous clue package, I saw ufc.
And they mentioned "rocky," which was a huge fighting movie.
- Really? - The partner mentioned that. Yes, it is, ken.
Also, the partner said that he has muscles like cinder blocks,
so I'm gonna go with conor mcgregor.
- Mayim: Oh. - Brian: Huh.
That is someone I do not want to be in a fight with, okay?
That's true. But conor mcgregor, technically, is a mixed martial arts fighter,
- not boxing. - I'm gonna defend ashley here because conor mcgregor,
he's a boxer. He fought mayweather.
- Thank you. - That's proper boxing.
- Brian: Yeah. - I agree.
Paula, straight up, now tell me.
- Ah! Boom! Boom! - Boo!
Last time when I saw you perform, I thought for sure you were floyd mayweather.
But I just got a little wrench thrown into my train of thought,
so I'm gonna go back to baseball maybe.
- Ken: Okay. - There was a clue that had money.
- There was a bee on the money. - There was bee on the bill.
- So I think it could be barry bonds. - Brian: Uh, I don't think so.
- There you go. - Paula: Yeah, make fun of me all you want,
- but 1992 was a huge year for him. - Who is barry bonds?
Oh, my goodness. I can't.
Hey, zebra, you're a real hoofer.
Literally, 'cause you have hooves.
Congrats on another stellar performance.
Let's hear it for the zebra.
- Ashley: Yes! - Ken: Yes.
You think oscar de la hoya has that much energy still?
Craig: The zebra just took us dancing,
but is he taking home the diamond mask trophy?
Tell us using #themaskeddancer.
If that's oscar de la hoya, I'm gonna lose it.
- I'm a huge boxing fan. - Yeah.
Barry bonds is a dear friend of mine, and I choreographed him, okay?
- Is it a big deal? - You've choreographed everybody.
Barry bonds is a family friend of mine.
I'm just saying I think I know what I'm talking about here.
♪ who is that?
♪ turn the lights on, play my favorite song ♪
♪ if you wanna dance along
♪ I'm feeling myself from my head to my feet ♪
♪ make you feel the heat from the boom-boom beat ♪
craig: Welcome back to "the masked dancer."
now we get a visit from the mega-talented sloth.
The panel's been getting triple threat broadway vibes.
But what does his dance partner have to say about him?
Man: Okay, so, sloth.
Is he really as funny offstage as he is on?
This is literally the question I get asked the most.
( laughs )
yes, he really is.
This is the best I've seen you perform,
and you brought your a game.
I've seen this guy on tour, and he is hilarious.
- What a showman. ■ - on tour he's always so silly.
He's a famous comedian.
In some ways it's weird to be teaching him
because he's usually the leading man.
But I feel like we share the same language.
Although technically, I think he speaks three.
Before each performance, we share a quick hug.
What can I say? His mama raised him right.
Ooh. Southern gentleman?
Which comes in handy when I have to get him to stop looking in the mirror.
He thinks he's, like, sex on a stick,
but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Tonight we're creating a bollywood-style flash mob with dozens of extras.
But with all those dancers,
sloth has to be completely in sync,
or else it's going to look terrible.
With a spot in the semi-finals at stake? No pressure.
Whoever this is, he's such a good dancer.
- Mayim: I'm excited. - But I'm really thrown off
- with the "tours a lot" thing. - But remember he said broadway,
so it could be a broadway tour.
Broadway tour.
Craig: Let's hear it for the sloth.
Whoo! Go, sloth.
( music playing )
♪ twist
( singing in hindi )
- yes! Whoo! - Yeah! Yeah!
♪ and we twist, we twist
♪ we twist, we twist
♪ and we twist, we twist
♪ we twist, we twist
♪ and we twist, twist it up, we twist ♪
♪ we twist, we twist
♪ and we twist, we twist
♪ we twist, we twist
( singing in hindi )
♪ and we twist, we twist
- ♪ we twist, we twist ■ - whoo!
♪ and we twist, we twist
♪ we twist, we twist
♪ and we twist, twist it up, we twist ♪
♪ wind it up, we twist, we twist ♪
♪ and we twist, twist it up, we twist ♪
♪ we twist, we twist, twist
- whoo! - Aah! Oh, my god!
What? What?
- Whoo! Whoo! - Woohoo!
- All right. - Brian: So good.
- So fricking good. - My goodness.
Well done, well done.
All right, what do you think about that performance, panel?
Oh, man. That was-- sloth, you're so good. You really are.
You're so entertaining. You're so funny. You're such a good dancer.
- Paula: Yes. - And I would be shocked
if you didn't make it to the semi-finals.
I think you're somebody who has much more energy
than the costume leads on to.
- Mayim: No. - Or I'm way off.
- This is-- - right.
But I'm starting to think that you dance professionally.
I'm really excited to see who you are.
All right. Paula?
Just when I think I know what you're gonna do, you throw bollywood on me.
- Yes, right? - A dance style based on very intricate moves,
which you did with ease.
And you stay in character brilliantly.
I love the humor when you were going to do a leg extension,
but you just held your leg right there.
I mean, that-- you didn't stretch enough, I suppose.
But I'm just loving you. Give it up for sloth.
All right, let's take the voice modulation off the sloth
and hear his one word clue.
♪ word up
♪ it's the code word
♪ no matter where you say it ♪
♪ you'll know that you'll be heard ♪
- rose. - Rose.
- Mayim: Rose? - Brian: Rose.
- Rose? - It could be for a romantic heartthrob,
like my last guess bradley cooper.
I don't think that's bradley cooper, ken.
Agree to disagree. Bradley cooper.
Ashley: Can I ask a question?
Yes, of course you may, ashley.
Okay, are you known for more fun comedic performances
or more serious dramatic roles?
- I'm all drama. - Drama?
- He's all drama. - He's all drama.
- All drama. - He can't be all drama when he's this funny.
Could mean, like, in his personal life he could be all drama.
- Yeah. - I can't trust anything right now.
Craig: What did you all pick up on?
Just looking at the clue package, it said "tour."
and, you know, I went on a press tour with someone
just in your body type, just with your skill set.
Harry shum jr., my co-star in "crazy rich asians"
and a good friend of mine,
- he is a triple threat. - He's amazing.
- He is amazing. Amazing dancer. - Yes.
Amazing actor, amazing human being,
and also you were going with
kind of the "glee" clues earlier on.
- Yes. - Harry shum jr. Was also in "glee."
I think, honestly, the sloth could be harry shum jr.
- Good guess. Good guess. - Miss tis.
I think that you are an amazing dancer.
You're a leading man. I swear, it's like broadway is definitely in your blood.
You're a showman. You've been on stage so many times.
And that makes me think of hugh jackman.
- Ooh, good guess. - He's done broadway.
He's been in a broadway musical-- "les misérables."
- mayim: Yes! - He's also very tall.
- And hugh jackman is all drama. - That's a good guess, ashley.
- Mayim? - After seeing this performance,
the comedy chops seems to be really,
- really important. - Mm-hmm.
Mayim: Meaning this is someone who knows how to move their body
and also bring a tremendous amount
of specific comedy timing.
- Yep. - I'm gonna say something crazy.
- I can't wait. - Well, we don't do that on this show, missy.
- I'm gonna say jack black. - Oh, my god, I love that!
- Brian: That's a great guess. - Mayim: So I saw that panda.
Who played everybody's favorite panda, "kung fu panda"?
- Jack black. - Ken: Yeah.
- Paula: Totally. - Mayim: I'm going with it.
That's a great guess. That's a great guess.
Craig: Great job.
Ken: Aww, that's sweet.
Craig: Is the sloth a lock for next week's semi-finals?
Or is this bollywood lover bawling at the end of the night?
After the break, exotic bird dances
to one of paula abdul's signature tunes.
- Ooh! - Don't go anywhere.
♪ turn the lights on, play my favorite song ♪
♪ keep up, keep up, if you wanna dance along ♪
♪ I'm feeling myself from my head to my feet ♪
yes!
Welcome back to "the masked dancer."
there are only two performances left
before another star is revealed,
and right now it's time for the exotic bird.
Oh, man, I've always been such a big fan of exotic bird.
- She's amazing. ■ - mondays?
Does anyone have a song about mondays?
But that doesn't mean I've gone easy on her.
Each performance I've pushed her limits,
and she's gone above and beyond.
I think that you're more of a dancer than you thought you were.
And you're improving every time we see you.
She has the biggest heart and is so giving.
When she talks about being a mama, it's heartwarming.
- Santa claus? - Mariah carey has the number one christmas song
- on the planet. - Every step she dances is for that baby bird.
Tonight, we're putting some extra clues on stage,
so keep an eye out.
Shakira has a song called "23."
but also, we're dancing to a song by one of her idols,
our very own paula abdul.
It's a huge risk, but if she can pull this off,
there's nothing stopping her from making it
to the semi-finals.
- Hey, exotic bird! One of my favorites. - Whoo!
- Look at the diner. It has a number six. - Ooh.
Craig: Let's hear it for the exotic bird.
Whoo-ooh!
( music playing )
♪ baby, seems we never ever agree ♪
♪ you like the movies and I like tv ♪
♪ I take things serious and you take 'em light ♪
♪ I go to bed early
♪ and I party all night
♪ our friends are saying we ain't gonna last ♪
♪ 'cause I move slowly
♪ and, baby, I'm fast
♪ I like it quiet
♪ and I love to shout
♪ but when we get together, it just all works out ♪ ■
♪ I take two steps forward
♪ two steps back
♪ we come together 'cause opposites attract ♪
♪ and you know it ain't fiction ♪
♪ just a natural fact
♪ we come together 'cause opposites attract ♪
whoo!
♪ you know it ♪
♪ baby, baby
♪ two steps forward
♪ two steps back
♪ opposites attract
♪ we come together
♪ go together
♪ 'cause opposites attract
- whoo! - Yeah!
- Exotic bird! - Wow.
Brian: That deserves a spot in the semi-finals.
What did you think about that performance?
I loved it. Loved it, loved it.
Yes. My childhood dream is to listen to a paula abdul song...
- Right? - ...Sitting next to paula abdul.
- Yes! - Paula: It could have been nerve-wracking
dancing to my song, but you absolutely nailed it.
It's always fun watching other people dance to my music.
- I really think this may be her best performance yet. - I think so.
- Yeah. It's true. - Ken: Amazing.
I am super curious to see who you are.
- Ashley: Yes. - Yeah, we all are.
Hey, our panel needs a little help, so let's give them another clue.
Audio team, remove the voice modulation off the exotic bird.
♪ word up ♪
♪ it's the code word
♪ no matter where you say it ♪
♪ you'll know that you'll be heard ♪
- circus. - All: Circus?
Ooh, her voice is definitely sexy still.
- Ken: Yeah. - Sexy circus?
- Paula: I like that. - Oh! Oh, my gosh!
- You got it? - She's delivering.
I'm delivering who it is!
You're as tall as khloé kardashian.
She does have a baby.
And whose family is a circus?
- The kardashians! - Ah.
- It is khloé kardashian. - Mayim: That's a good guess, actually.
- Ken: I love it. - That is a good guess, yeah.
- Mayim? - This might be a mom
who maybe is getting back into her body,
like, post having a kid.
Like, it felt like a different kind of movement.
- I hope I have her body after-- - yeah, same.
Paula: Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.
So, there's a show called "the talk."
and someone just left "the talk" to focus on her family.
- Ken: Okay. Oh. - It's eve, and that's a recording artist.
Ken: Right? Oh, she's amazing.
Mayim: And also, the santa claus, I was like,
you think santa claus, you think christmas eve.
- That's where I went. - Right, right.
- Eve's great! - I went to eve.
You're getting the hang-- yes!
I saw santa claus and I know the kardashians
give really great gifts.
So I was like, "oh, that's it."
this was my turn to talk about who I thought it was.
Okay, paula, how about you?
I'm going back to my earlier guess.
- This is jordin sparks, and I'll tell you why. - Ken: Wow.
Number 23 is michael jordan. Jordin sparks.
- Yeah. - Oh. Oh!
- I like that, paula. - Paula: In previous clues,
I heard that she couldn't breathe.
She had a song with chris brown called "no air,"
and on stage, I saw "nowhere."
I think you're jordin sparks.
Mayim: That's a very good guess.
- Ken: That's a good guess. - Exotic bird, incredible job.
- Let's hear it for her one more time. - Ken: Yeah!
- Yes! - These are our panel's exotic bird guesses.
Do any of their choices have all that jazz?
Tell us using #themaskeddancer.
After the break, the cotton candy borrows ken's ballerina slippers
and goes full "swan lake" next.
- Ashley: Whoo! - ♪ who is that?
( music playing )
- oh! - Go, craig!
Oh, my goodness!
- That was the best one yet. - Welcome back to "the masked dancer."
now, we arrive at our final dancer of the night.
What celebrity chooses to dress as something oozing
of high fructose corn syrup?
Let's hear from her dance partner and find out.
Cotton candy is so inspiring.
Dancing in these costumes is hard,
but she is determined to get it right.
Ooh, red, white, and blue. Maybe team usa?
Every night after rehearsals,
she goes for a three-mile run in her mask
just so she can get used to it.
She's a runner. Athlete?
Now that's dedication.
I was so scared after her fall.
- ( gasps ) - oh, my god!
For anyone else,
that might have meant hitting rock bottom.
But she vaulted back to her feet like a hero.
Who's a celebrity that's played a superhero?
And now she's on fire.
The story of tonight's dance is cotton candy
is late to her ballet rehearsal,
but that forces her to break out into her own.
It's a huge risk. Ballet is hard.
But if she can pull it off,
semi-finals, here we come.
- That's a strong woman. - Yeah.
Craig: Let's hear it for the cotton candy.
( music playing )
- ken: Oh, nice. - Paula: She's dancing through the backstage.
Oh, this is so cute.
- There she is! - Yeah!
Mayim: Yeah!
Paula: Whoa!
- Yeah! - Whoo!
- Paula: Oh! - Ashley: Whoo!
Ballet? So good!
Ken: Oh, my goodness.
You are the one to beat right now.
- Yeah! - Craig: Cotton candy.
- Ashley: Yes! - What did you think about that performance?
- Yes! - Bravo!
- Ken: This is the final five right now. - Yeah.
And the reason why you're so close is because
of how innovative and how original you are.
And after that, I think we'll be seeing you next week
- in the semi-finals. - Oh, my goodness. You can move.
It was beautiful and funky
and you get so much lift on your jumps.
I saw grand jetes that were beautiful.
You're definitely an athlete.
Mayim: Totally! This is not someone who has trained as a ballerina.
This is someone who has a very good idea of the movements and moves--
- foundation. - Yeah. See the right hand, how it's placed?
Paula: Yeah, that's very pageanty.
- Ken: Oh, my goodness. - This is someone who knows how to present themselves
in terms of delicate and elegant,
like a gymnast or a skater vibe.
- Yeah. - I mean, I thought at first it was ice skating, but--
it feels more gymnasty with some of those grand jetes.
Let's take the voice modulation off and hear one word
straight from the cotton candy's mouth.
It's time for word up.
♪ word up
- ♪ it's the code word ■ - come on. Come here.
♪ no matter where you say it ♪
♪ you'll know that you'll be heard ♪
- prayer. - Ken: Prayer?
- Prayer? - Mayim: Prayer, okay.
- Prayer. - Well, tara lipinski is a devout catholic, so...
- Oh. - Yeah. I'm thinking, like, julianne hough
- because she was born a mormon. - Mayim: What?
- Ashley: Yeah, she's mormon. - All right, then.
Based on the new clues, what names are you getting?
Brian: You know what? Your dancing is unbelievable,
- but I think you're an ice skater. - Ashley: Yeah.
Brian: I saw the gold watch in the clue package,
and she won a gold medal at the winter olympics.
- Ken: Oh! - The red, white, and blue sash is for team usa.
I've said this for a few weeks now,
but I'm sticking with kristi yamaguchi.
- Mayim: That's a very good guess. - Good guess.
- Craig: Paula? - Nope. Mm-mm.
I definitely think you're a gymnast.
And I heard your partner say "vaulted,"
which is a gymnastics term.
I just feel like I know your movement.
I still think this is simone biles.
- Ken: Good guess. - Mayim: Yeah. This is a very hard one.
I thought, like, simone biles, like, aly raisman.
But, however, I have to ask something.
Have you been in the public eye for some time?
You have seen me perform for many years,
and hopefully many more to come.
- Aww. - Nice.
Okay.
There were some clues that were very strongly linked
to someone who has been in the public eye for a long time.
The superhero vibes are reminding me of a show I liked very much
and an actress named hayden panettiere
- who was on "heroes." - ken: Yeah. Good guess.
And hayden has a dance background.
Oh, and she was in that "ice princess" movie.
- She was in "ice princess." - both: Yes!
I don't want this to end.
Every one is more exciting to, like, try and figure this out.
- Brian: This is super hard. - No, you want it to end
because then you get to unmask them.
I want to unmask all of them.
Well, it's just about that time.
- But first, let's hear it for the cotton candy. - Yay!
Is the cotton candy's ballet toe pointed towards the diamond mask trophy?
Or will she be barred from next week's semi-finals?
Cotton candy, don't move. It's time to vote.
To our other four dancers in the lair, come on out!
Our fearless final five shimmied their tails off,
and now, panel, audience,
and our superfans from all over the country at home,
you get to vote for your favorite.
The one with the least amount of votes
will be forced to unmask
and cry in the privacy of their panic room.
Ashley: I don't want to send anyone home.
Paula: I'm so nervous.
The votes are in, and the dancer
not advancing to next week's semi-finals...
...Will be revealed after the break.
- Aww. - I mean, are you kidding me?
♪ who is that?
Welcome back to "the masked dancer."
five dancers stand before me and tv's mayim bialik.
Only four can advance to next week's semi-finals.
The other will be forced to unmask in a matter of minutes.
And the dancer with the least amount of votes is...
Oh, man.
Oh.
- Exotic bird. - Oh, my god.
- What? - Oh, exotic bird.
Craig: To the rest of you, congrats.
We'll see you back here one week from tonight for the semi-finals.
- I love you, exotic bird. - That means, exotic bird...
- Ken: Exotic bird. - ...The road ends for you tonight.
- We love you. - And we do get to finally see who you are.
But first, let's have the panel each ask a question
before they make their final guesses. Go ahead, brian.
- Are you taller than ken? - Oh, yeah. Definitely.
- Brian: Definitely. Yeah. - Ashley: Definitely.
- I mean, I could have told you that, brian. - Yeah.
- Craig: Ashley. - Are you used to performing in front of large crowds?
- Yes. Small ones, too. - Okay.
- Ken. - Have you won a major award?
- Maybe. - Maybe!
- Mayim. - Have you ever been on the cover of a magazine?
- Yes. - Oh.
Panel: Ooh!
- Okay, okay. - Craig: Paula.
- Have we met before? - Girl, yes.
- Whoa! - Oh!
- Brian: Ah. - You know her!
All righty, then.
It's time to hear our panel's final guesses. Ken?
My first thought was venus williams,
and then kate upton,
but tonight the number 23 jersey sealed it.
This bird is from chicago.
And because of the song, she has definitely
not only met paula--
worked with paula on "american idol."
this is oscar-winner jennifer hudson
on "the masked dancer."
- ashley: Wow. - Ken: Yes.
- Craig: Mayim? - This is a statuesque woman with a presence.
- Yeah. - And thinking about santa claus, christmas,
- christmas eve... - Brian: Wow.
- ...I'm going with eve. - Brian: Nice. Nicely done.
- Craig: Br-r-r-rian. - So my first thought,
initially I picked up on you being
- an athlete of some sort. - Yes.
I guessed hope solo.
But the last few weeks
I've gone in a different direction
because of the way you carry yourself.
The model airplane clue, I connected that with "model."
so I'm gonna stick with ashley graham.
- Craig: Paula? - You know, my gut has always been serving me right.
And my gut instinct is that you are the magnificent,
incredible jordin sparks.
- I hope you are. - Ashley?
I really felt like you were kat von d.
The beauty and the perfume stood out to me,
and I was just trying to think of, like, okay,
who has this and who just had a baby?
But I was very excited earlier about khloé kardashian.
So, um, you know, I kind of thought about it,
and the fact that you know paula,
and I think paula is really good at guessing.
She has proven it.
And I am gonna jump on her train
and I am gonna go with jordin sparks.
Paula: Wow.
Okay, panel, you have made your final guesses.
Let's see if any of you are right.
Give me that music.
Audience, let's encourage the exotic bird to...
( chanting ) take it off! Take it off!
♪ take it off, take it off
♪ take it off
♪ take that mask off
♪ take it off
oh!
( all screaming )
jordin sparks!
Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter,
and the youngest person to ever win "american idol,"
jordin sparks. Hello, my love.
You knew it! You knew it!
Did you die when I first said your name?
They told me that you were gonna be on here,
and I was like, "paula knows me. She knows."
- you know how I am on stage and all of that stuff. - I know how you are.
And I love you so much, so I was like,
- "she's gonna know it's me." - I love you, darling.
I'm so happy for your entire career.
Thank you so much.
To see you and paula reunited right now,
it gives america goosebumps right now
- to see you guys. - I love her.
I want to hug you, but I know we can't.
Jordin, what was it like being exotic bird?
- It was great. It was freeing. - Brian: Yeah.
Jordin: I could just be anonymous, and I love to dance.
But doing it onstage like this is something I never thought that I could do.
- You were great. - You were so good.
And also that I can show my son that it's okay to do things
that scare you sometimes.
- Yes! Yes! - Yes!
What was the number 17 that was in one of your packages?
- I won "idol" at 17. - Oh.
- Oh, my gosh. - Yes.
- Great job, jordin. - Thank you, craig.
Let's hear it one more time for jordin sparks.
- Yes! - Yes!
Next week, it's our semi-finals,
where our four remaining dancers battle it out
- to place in our big season finale. - Yes!
Plus, we'll be joined by "lego masters" host will arnett.
But right now, here to dance unmasked once and for all,
the artist formerly known as the exotic bird,
- jordin sparks. - ♪ you know it
♪ baby, baby
♪ two steps forward
♪ two steps back
- ♪ two steps back ■ - yeah!
- ♪ opposites attract ■ - go, jordin! Go, jordin!
♪ we go together, we go together ♪
♪ 'cause opposites attract