This week, the atmosphere took on a more mysterious tone as the Ghostbusters theme dominated the studio, featuring the iconic presence of Ernie Hudson. As Nick Cannon humorously pointed out, Hudson looked as if he had just stepped off the set of the legendary film from four decades ago, adding an extra layer of nostalgia for fans of the franchise.

While the presence of Ghostbusters, including Slimer and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, might have added an element of fright, the contestants Boogie Woogie, Griffin, Pearl, and House Ranger certainly showcased their bravery against each other. This week was packed with outstanding performances, complemented by intriguing clues and guesses—except for George Clooney, right Ken!

This week’s artists brought a stunning array of covers, spanning from Blue Öyster Cult to Rihanna and The Busboys. They truly showcased their versatility with various styles and vocal ranges. The Group A winners, Coral and Paparazzo, will certainly have their hands full as two of these four contestants will join them in the next round!

Let’s dive right into this week’s performances! Before revealing the shocking unmaskings, we will entertain you with the wild (and sometimes accurate) guesses made by our esteemed panel featuring Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora. We do this because we love to tease you.

(“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” Blue Öyster Cult) Pearl truly embraced the moody essence of this song by delving deep into her vocal range to achieve the lower opening notes. Although she seemed a bit hesitant at first, it was evident she was holding back her powerful voice, which she later unleashed with impressive belting. Pearl is a versatile and skilled vocalist, although her physical performance may have been slightly limited due to her elaborate costume.

Clues & Guesses: This week, Pearl revealed a glimpse into her past, discussing how she developed a tough exterior. She shared that she left her small-town home as a teenager without completing high school, later finding herself working at a bar to make ends meet.

While illustrating her journey with a diagram of football plays, Pearl mentioned that her rise to fame happened “almost by accident.” Additional clues included a crescent moon, a deer painting in the background, her face on a wanted poster, and her early days of sweeping and taking out the trash at her bar job.

Her on-stage clue featured the phrase “Best Seller,” which she elaborated on by stating, “I’m a bit of a ghostwriter myself. I know how to put pen to paper.”

The primary theme of Pearl’s backstory in her first clue package was the notion that, like a pearl, she is a hidden treasure cloaked in a tough exterior. Performing has always been her passion, and she considers herself a softy at heart. However, it seems that others often overlook this softer side because she struggles to show it.

Pearl expressed, “People like me aren’t guaranteed a chance at a big break,” which motivated her to take on any gig she could find until she finally made it big. As her journey unfolded, we saw visuals of a beach, a marina, a beach bar, and even her picking cherries, which all symbolize her modest beginnings.

When Nick asked her about stepping out of her comfort zone, Pearl replied, “I can tell you that I’ve dressed fancy before. Usually at red carpet events when they ask me what I’m wearing, I just say, I got it on sale.”

Rita interpreted the “bestseller” clue to imply that Pearl could be “one of the greatest songwriters of all time,” speculating that it might be a musical legend like Joan Jett. Meanwhile, Ken boldly declared that this has to be Madonna, showcasing his typical bravado, but no one else seemed to agree with him, leading to a round of laughter.

“Like a prayer on that one,” Robin joked, confidently asserting he knows exactly who she is—though not in those words—based on the recognizable voice. He is convinced that the voice belongs to Melissa Etheridge.

Online guesses for Pearl have included names such as Alanis Morissette, Bette Midler, and even Keke Palmer. However, the prevailing theory among fans points towards Gretchen Wilson, who indeed dropped out of the eighth grade to work as a cook and bartender in a rural Illinois bar after growing up in Pocahontas, IL (population 680).

(“Disturbia,” Rihanna) Griffin showcased clarity in his vocal delivery, displaying that while he may not carry himself like a seasoned vocalist, he possesses strong vocal chops and a natural talent. Now that we know he is a theater enthusiast with a love for Broadway, his unique interpretations of modern songs, like this gothic take on Rihanna’s hit, become even more apparent.

Clues & Guesses: Having faced teasing and bullying for his passion for theater, Griffin shared that he built a literal fort where he would obsessively listen to the Ghostbusters soundtrack among other favorites. He revealed that the bullying led to dark thoughts, which inspired his performance this week as a tribute to other “freaks or geeks” to demonstrate that there’s always a way through.

We were treated to glimpses of a record player, a movie camera, and even a flying bat during his performance. Additionally, we spotted a photo of Lamp, referencing Melissa Joan Hart from Season 9.

McKenna Grace provided a video clue, stating, “Not only is he an incredible performer, but he’s an even better person. He’s like a dad on set. I know this because I’ve co-starred with him.” Griffin praised McKenna, saying, “She’s fantastic; she has had an amazing career, and one of my kids thinks I’m really cool because I worked with her.”

As for his rise to fame, Griffin shared that he was taken aback by the overwhelming heights of his fandom, stating that his “first hit immortalized” him. At this moment, he humorously got hit on the head with a “School’s Out” bell, implying he has a background as a teen star—possibly from a school-themed show?

Reflecting on his celebrity status, Griffin recounted a time when a woman said she would take dirt from his car to give to her kids, hinting at the youthful demographics of his fanbase at the peak of his fame. He also shared visuals of a six-pointed “star” resembling a sheriff’s badge and a VHS tape featuring a Jack-O-Lantern, discussing how he has learned that he is “only human” in recent times, as his life took unexpected turns and he realized the value of this journey.

Now, Griffin is eager to seize every opportunity that comes his way, particularly this one. When asked about the significance of being on the show, Griffin expressed, “The stage is my happy place. I love it here. I feel so fortunate.”

Jenny was moved by the contrast of Griffin’s journey from being bullied to confidently performing on stage, exclaiming, “I’m blown away by you!”

Rita connected the “vampire bat” clue to Freddie Prinze Jr., linking it to his wife, Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar. Meanwhile, Ken speculated that the Freaks & Geeks reference might refer to Jason Segel, who starred in Can’t Hardly Wait alongside Melissa Joan Hart.

Jenny suggested that perhaps the Bat is a reference to Batman instead of a vampire, aligning it with her guess of Robert Pattinson, although she felt he wouldn’t be the type of star to participate in this show. Rita chimed in, recalling that Robert introduced her to her husband, Taika Waititi, and speculated that he might be too shy for this kind of performance, despite the clues fitting.

Rita wavered between guessing Matthew Lillard and Freddie Prinze Jr., both of whom have