WARNING! THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS ABOUT THE MASKED SINGER SEASON 12!DuringThe Masked Singerseason 12 Barbie Night,Chess Piece was unmasked and revealed to be actress and LGBTQ+ advocate Laverne Cox, and there were many clues that gave away her identity.The Masked Singerseason 12 welcomed back host Nick Cannon, along with panelists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora. The season began with Group A, which included Leaf Sheep (John Elway), Showbird (Yvette Nicole Brown), Woodpecker (Marsai Martin), Ship (Paula Cole), and the Buffalos, who made it through to the quarterfinals.
For the first time ever,The Masked Singerseason 12features Masked Ambassadors, who are alums from the show with special connections to the newest singers. They introduced theGroup B contestants, including Wasp, Chess Piece, Bluebell, Goo, and Dust Bunny (Andy Richter). Here are all of the clues that proved that Chess Piece was Laverne.
The Masked Singer Season 12’s Chess Piece Is Laverne Cox
No One Guessed Chess Piece Correctly
BeforeThe Masked Singerseason 12 contestant Chess Piece was revealed to be Laverne, the panelists made several guesses for her identity. DuringThe Masked Singerseason 12 Sports Night, Jenny thought that she might beSerena Williams, while Ken guessed that she wasRegina King. In addition, Rita theorized that Chess Piece might beAshley Graham.
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Before Chess Piece was unmasked on Barbie Night, the panelists gave their final guesses for her identity. Jenny continued to guess that she might beSerena Williams, but Robin disagreed. Ken theorized that she wasIssa Rae, while Rita thought that she wasTyra Banks. Robin’s final guess wasMisty Copeland. Nick said that he would go with Rita’s guess, butnone of the panelists guessed Laverne correctly.
Chess Piece’s Masked Ambassador Was Nikki Glaser
Nikki Revealed Her Connection To Chess Piece
The Masked Singerseason 12 Group B contestantChess Piece’s Masked Ambassador was comedian Nikki Glaser, who was season 8’s Snowstorm. Nikki began by joking that when people think of her, they think"fashion icon,“and that was why she was there: to introduce the most fashion-forward friend that she knew, Chess Piece. Laverne is known for her fashion.
Chess Piece’s Masked Singer Season 12 Sports Night Performance & Clues
Clues About Chess Piece’s Life & Career Were Revealed
DuringThe Masked Singerseason 12 Sports Night,Chess Piece sang a touching, slowed-down version of “Believe” by Cher. When she first took the stage, Jenny pointed out that she was very tall. Chess Piece began her clue package by saying that she loves a fashion moment because she never thought she’d be there.
Chess Piece was then shown holding a cut-out of giant red lips pursed in a kiss. A sound effect of a kiss was also heard.The lips refer to Laverne’s starring role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 2016 TV movieThe Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do The Time Warp Again, which is known for its red lips logo.
Chess Piece admitted that there were times that she"felt like a pawn with no protection.“She then tried to open up a locked safe, and then she punched the top of it.The Masked Singerseason 12 contestantwent on to say that people doubted her for her whole life, but she had to believe in herself, and make bold moves across the board to secure her crown, andthat leading role that changed her game. She was shown on a red carpet with paparazzi taking pictures of her, and then entering an event with a sign that read,“Winners' Costume Exhibit.”
Laverne, who is transgender, certainly belongs in the"winners"category.The leading role that changed her game wasOrange is the New Black, for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Awardfor her work as Sophia Burset. She was the first trangender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for acting. In 2015, Laverne won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Special as the executive producer forLaverne Cox Presents: The T Word.
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Chess Piece then opened the velvet rope, andthen stood in front of someMasked Singercostumes, including winnersGoldfish (Vanessa Hudgens), Sun (LeAnn Rimes), Night Angel (Kandi Burruss), and Queen of Hearts (Jewel). Nikki then said,“We know you are a total game changer, and, as much as I love to gossip, your secret is safe with me. So, it’s your move. Check and mate.”
After Chess Piece’s performance, she said that, since she was a kid,people have told her that she can’t sing, she’s tone deaf, and she should stop. However, she loves singing, so she keeps doing it. Chess Piece added thatbeing onThe Masked Singerwas really scary and vulnerable, but, there she was, taking another risk to see what happens.
Then, another clue about Chess Piece’s identity was revealed. Every Group B contestant brought a different pair of athletic shoes that best represented their life. Chess Piece’s shoes were a pair of tennis shoes. Chess Piece explained,“In the first round of the match, it’s love serving love.”
Chess Piece’s Masked Singer Season 12 Barbie Night Performance & Clues
Certain Clues Gave Away Chess Piece’s Identity
DuringThe Masked Singerseason 12 Barbie Night,Chess Piece sang an inspiring version of “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan, hitting incredible high notes. In her clue package, Chess Piece revealed that she has a special connection to Barbie. The clue package began with her sitting on a bed, looking sad. She shared that, as a kid, she was a rich target for others to tease.
Chess Piece said that it seemed like every piece of her was something that others could poke at. Chess Piece then looked at a photograph of her young Chess Piece self on a playground.Laverne has shared that she was bullied for years for not conforming to expected gender roles.
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Chess Piece then went on to say, that, on top of that, she loved Barbie, but the part that hurt was that she wasn’t allowed to play with her. During this part of the clue package, Chess Piece picked an orange off of a tree.This clue referred to her role as Sophia Burset inOrange is the New Black.Chess Piece continued by saying that the criticism and scrutiny continued over the years, and made her question everything she loves about herself. Chess Piece was then shown painting a picture of an ancient Egyptian.
Chess Piece then said that she had to take control of her own board, andthe one thing that helped her heal was the one thing that she was missing all along: Barbie. After she moved a red pawn on a chessboard, she was shown looking at a Barbie Dreamhouse. Chess Piece shared that she started buying Barbie dolls for herself, and realized that it’s never too late to have a happy childhood, even decades later. She put out her hand, and a black-and-white-checked butterfly landed on her finger.
Chess Piece said that, now, they even modeled a Barbie doll after her.In 2022, a Laverne Cox Barbie doll was introduced to the Barbie Tribute Collection. Chess Piece added that Barbie can be anything, and she made her and every woman feel like they can be anything too. Chess Piece concluded her clue package by saying that, tonight, she’s here to celebrate"all of us! Every woman out there!”
After Chess Piece’s performance, another clue was given about her identity. Every Group B contestant brought a toy that best represented them.Chess Piece’s was a Barbie doll sitting at a toy vanity. Chess Piece explained,“I actually have this toy at home, but it’s the life-sized version.“The vanity might refer to Laverne’s showTRANSformMe, which premiered in 2010. She produced and starred in the show, which followed cisgender female contestants who were made over by transgender women stylists. After her unmasking, Laverne also revealed that the Barbie doll in the clue was the actual one that was modeled after her.
AsThe Masked Singerseason 12 contestant Chess Piece, Laverne was fearless on stage, just like she is in her real life. After her unmasking, she shared that she has so much trauma around singing, and herMasked Singerexperience made her feel that, maybe with a mask on, she could get over some of her fears and work through some of the trauma. Laverne added that what was so much fun about Barbie Night was that she got to sing and dance like she did when she was a little kid, andit’s never too late to have a happy childhood.
Laverne also said that, to be an openly trans, Black woman in the United States of America right now, she’s so incredibly blessed. However, she added that there are so many people out there right now who are struggling, and"we are human beings who deserve love and opportunities, and like everybody, we all deserve that.“Her spirited reprise of “I’m Every Woman” was very uplifting.With Laverne’s talent and stage presence, she made some great moves as Chess Piece.
The Masked Singer
Cast
The Masked Singer is a reality singing competition where celebrities perform in elaborate costumes concealing their identities, with panelists and viewers trying to guess who is behind the mask based on clues provided throughout the show.
