The popular television competition The Masked Singer delivered yet another jaw-dropping moment during its broadcast on March 25, when the mysterious performer known as Pangolin was finally unmasked. In a dramatic semi-final episode, the elaborate costume was removed to reveal the identity of professional singer and songwriter Rachel Platten, aged 44.
A Career-Defining Anthem
Platten is best recognised for her powerful anthem Fight Song, which she co-wrote with Dave Bassett. Originally released on her debut EP in 2015, the track quickly ascended the charts, peaking at an impressive number six on the Billboard Hot 100. This was a remarkable achievement for an artist who was relatively unknown at the time.
The song's influence has been extensive, featuring in numerous films, television commercials, and even political campaigns. Most notably, it was adopted as the official campaign song for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid. Fight Song has been certified Platinum six times by the Recording Industry Association of America, representing over six million units in combined sales and streams.
Detectives on the Trail
The episode also marked a rare occasion where one of the show's celebrity detectives correctly identified the masked contestant. The panel, consisting of Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, and Rita Ora, engaged in their usual speculative banter. However, Jenny McCarthy ultimately guessed that Pangolin was Rachel Platten, while other suggestions included Glee star Lea Michele.
In her clue package, Platten shared personal anecdotes, including her childhood bond with her grandmother, who would proudly clip newspaper articles about her granddaughter's rising fame. She also hinted at her Daytime Emmy Award win for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program, earned for a performance of Fight Song on Good Morning America.
The Unmasking and Final Clues
After receiving the fewest votes of the evening, Pangolin faced elimination. Before her unmasking, she presented a final clue: a pair of golden boxing gloves. With her voice disguised, she stated, "I like to stand strong in a fight, especially when it counts. And honestly, this whole thing represents such a huge win for me." This cleverly referenced her signature hit.
During the final round of guesses, Rita Ora speculated Vanessa Carlton, Ken Jeong persisted with Lea Michele, and Robin Thicke suggested Michelle Branch. However, McCarthy remained steadfast, correctly connecting the boxing glove clue to Fight Song. Her deduction proved accurate as Platten was revealed amidst a shower of golden confetti.
Post-Reveal Reflections
Following the unmasking, host Nick Cannon inquired if performing incognito had altered Platten's connection to music. She reflected, "You know, it brought me back to when I used to play — for 13 years, I toured around the country and sold CDs out of my suitcase. And for all those years, I would just have to prove who I was. No one knew my name. And it was just about how I could make them feel. And it really brought me back to that."
Platten also admitted she was unfamiliar with pangolins prior to taking on the role but developed an appreciation for the African and Asian mammal after watching a documentary. Fittingly, she concluded her appearance by delivering a heartfelt performance of Fight Song.
The semi-final episode saw Pangolin competing against fellow contestants Galaxy Girl, Crane, Pugcasso, and Cat Witch for a coveted spot in the upcoming finals. Ultimately, Galaxy Girl advanced, leaving Platten to exit the competition after a memorable run.
