The Masked Singer: Ship Identity & Clues

WARNING! THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS ABOUT THE MASKED SINGER SEASON 12!The Masked Singer season 12 Ship was unmasked during the Group A Finals, which was Soundtrack of My Life Night, and she was revealed to be singer Paula Cole. The Masked Singer season 12 welcomed back host Nick Cannon, along with panelists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora. During the Masked Singer season 12 premiere, Ship made her debut alongside her fellow Group A contestants, who included Buffalo, Woodpecker, Leaf Sheep, and Showbird.

The Masked Singer season 12 features Masked Ambassadors for the first time in the show’s history. The Masked Ambassadors are Masked Singer alums who have special connections to the season 12 contestants. In addition, during season 12, everything, including the costumes, could be a clue. As Ship’s journey comes to an end, here are the clues that proved that she was Paula.

The Masked Singer Season 12’s Ship Is Paula Cole

Panelist Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg Guessed Ship Correctly

During The Masked Singer season 12 Group A finals, Ship was unmasked and revealed to be Paula. After her premiere night performance, the panelists were so impressed by her that Jenny handed her the Golden Mask trophy. Rita thought that Ship might be Cyndi Lauper, but Jenny didn’t agree. Jenny guessed that she might be Joan Osborne, with which Robin and the other panelists agreed. Robin also mentioned Enya and Sarah McLachlan.

During The Masked Singer season 12 Footloose Night, Rita was stumped by Ship’s identity, but she said that the texture of her voice reminded her of Kate Bush. She also mentioned Sarah McLachlan. Robin thought that she might be Amy Grant, but, because of the piano in her clue package, he went back to his premiere night guess and agreed that she might be Sarah. Ken guessed that Ship was Sheryl Crow.

During Soundtrack of My Life Night, before Ship was unmasked, the panelists offered their final guesses for her identity. They were Sarah McLachlan (Rita), Alanis Morissette (Ken), and Amy Lee (Robin). Only Jenny guessed Paula correctly.

Ship’s Masked Ambassador Was Jewel

Jewel Revealed Her Connection To Ship

Ship’s Masked Ambassador was The Masked Singer season 6 winner Jewel, who competed as Queen of Hearts. Jewel shared that she was surprised at how much depth there was to the competition beneath the surface, and that’s something that she thinks will serve Ship well. She said that she always had a great relationship with Ship. Jewel and Paula were both very popular during the late 1990s, and they both performed at Lilith Fair.

Ship’s Masked Singer Season 12 Premiere Night Performance & Clues

Clues About Ship’s Life & Career Were Revealed

For her first Masked Singer season 12 performance, Ship sang a stunning, slowed-down version of “Pompeii” by Bastille. Ship began her clue package by saying that she knows how quickly the tides can change, “from angry to serene on a dime.” She shared that her life has been the same. Ship explained that her career set sail at a rapid clip. She had massive hits, and made history, but she lost control. At this point, a clock shaped like a plane was shown, and she picked it up.

Ship went on to say that she became lost at sea and, at times, felt totally forgotten. She then looked at a Wanted poster of herself, which offered a $15,000 reward. This referred to Paula’s hit song, “I Don’t Want to Wait,” which was also the theme song to Dawson’s Creek. Ship shared that it’s taken her years to find her way back to the shore, but she finally got the career that she’s always wanted. She admitted that that’s why being on The Masked Singer is so scary: because, once again, she’s in uncharted waters.

Jewel encouraged her to steer towards her fears, head-on, just like they did all those years ago together. Jewel said, if Ship does that, “I know that you’ll be unsinkable.” After her performance, Ship received a gift from Jewel, which was a sparkling, silver cowboy hat. The cowboy hat was a reference to Paula’s hit song, “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?”

Ship Shared How Music Helped Her In Life

During The Masked Singer season 12 Footloose Night, Ship sang a beautiful rendition of “Almost Paradise” by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson from the film. In her clue package, Ship described what she was like in high school. She revealed that she was a star cheerleader, the class president, and was even voted Prom Queen. However, she injured her foot and had to wear a boot, and she was sidelined for a whole year. This actually happened to Paula when she was in high school.

Ship said that her heart sank, and she was frustrated, which led her to the family’s piano, where she’d sit and play for hours on end. At that point, Ship was shown playing a piano with a raven sitting on it. This was a reference to Paula’s 2013 album, Raven.

Ship shared that playing the piano was her “therapy,” during which she channeled, “my sorrow, my joy, my expression.” A heart then appeared on the screen, as The Masked Singer season 12 contestant said, “Music became my paradise, and it’s been a healing source since.” Ship said that the good news is that the only boots she’s wearing these days are leather, and made for dancing. She concluded by saying, “Tonight, I feel like I’m knocking on heaven’s door.”

After Ship’s performance of “Almost Paradise,” another clue about her identity was revealed. Ship played the game, “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” in which connections are made between the star of Footloose and other celebrities. Ship’s connections went from Melissa Etheridge to Whoopi Goldberg to Kevin. She explained that she’s three degrees away from Kevin because she’s connected to Melissa, who’s connected to Whoopi, who starred in Destination Anywhere with Kevin. Paula has collaborated with Melissa.

Ship’s Soundtrack Of My Life Night Performances & Clues

Ship’s Final Clues Gave Away Her Identity

On The Masked Singer season 12 Soundtrack of My Life Night, which was also the Group A finals, Ship, Woodpecker, and the Buffalos opened the show with a spirited rendition of “High Hopes” by Panic! At the Disco. Ship then performed “Because the Night” by Patti Smith Group. She began her clue package by saying that she was so proud to have steered her way into the Group A finals. Ship said that she’s always trusted her heading, even when it was risky.

Ship then revealed that she was singing “Because the Night” by Patti Smith because there was a time that she found herself “shipwrecked” and broke, living off of a two-dollar burrito a day–half for lunch, and half for dinner. Therefore, she jumped at the chance to sing back up on an international tour. Paula performed on Peter Gabriel’s 1993-94 Secret World Tour. Then, a wooden model of a rowboat was shown. This was most likely a reference to Dawson’s Creek.

Ship went on to say that, as thrilling as it was, she knew that she had her own stories to tell. She said that she realized that she’d rather be driving herself around in a rental car, singing her truth. A photograph of John Wayne was then shown. This was a reference to Paula’s iconic song, “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?,” in which she asks, “Where is my John Wayne?”

Ship continued that taking that chance started the tidal wave of her career. She said that she took a risk being on The Masked Singer because it was so unlike her, but it was already so rewarding. Ship shared that it would have meant the world to her to continue her voyage to the quarterfinals.

After her performance, another clue about Ship was revealed in a time capsule, which was a framed message from LeAnn Rimes that read, “Congrats on the Best New Artist win! You are a true leading lady – LeAnn ’98.” Ship then explained that the note was from one of the most treasured moments of her career, and it meant the world to receive recognition from such a talented woman like LeAnn Rimes. In 1998, Paula won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

Ship also shared that she’s discovered that she’s such an introvert, so the Masked Singer competition was really stressing her out, but she had to say that she’s been watching the show with her daughter, and they love everyone. She thanked everyone for having her there. Paula’s daughter, Sky, was born in 1991.

After Woodpecker was unmasked, the Buffalos and Ship went head-to-head in the Battle Royale, during which they both sang their own versions of “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac. The panelists voted, and the Buffalos won the Battle Royale. Ship was unmasked and revealed to be Paula because the panelists opted not to use the Ding Dong Keep It On Bell.

As The Masked Singer season 12 contestant Ship, Paula had one of the most phenomenal voices ever to have been heard on the show. Her vocal range is incredible. Paula concluded her run on the show with a beautiful rendition of “I Don’t Want To Wait.” As Ship, Paula sailed to the Group A finals, and, even though she didn’t make it to the quarterfinals, she’ll always be remembered as one of the best Masked Singer contestants ever.

The Masked Singer

airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on FOX.

Source: The Masked Singer/YouTube, The Masked Singer/YouTube