IMPORTANT NOTICE: This article discusses key details from Season 13, Episode 9 of “The Masked Singer,” titled “Decades Night,” which aired on April 9 on Fox.

“The Masked Singer” presents a unique reality TV experience, standing in stark contrast to shows like “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” For Erika Jayne, who was revealed as Yorkie during Wednesday’s episode of Fox’s musical competition, joining the show required “zero convincing.” The vibrant atmosphere and the thrilling concept of the show immediately drew her in.

“Why wouldn’t I?” she expressed in an interview with Variety. “Did you see my costume? It was absolutely adorable! ‘The Masked Singer’ is a high-quality production. This experience was probably one of the best times I’ve had performing in such a unique format. Why would I pass up this amazing opportunity to showcase my talent?” The excitement and joy she felt during the performance were palpable.

When it came to the guesses about her identity, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg accurately identified her as Erika Jayne, while Robin Thicke speculated it was Lori Loughlin, Rita Ora suggested Paris Hilton, and Ken Jeong threw in Kyle Richards as his guess. The panelists enjoyed the guessing game as much as the audience did.

Jayne described the challenge of performing while wearing the costume, stating, “The mask was quite heavy, and the boots were enormous. The real challenge was staying in sync while singing, maintaining proper pitch, and executing the choreography without crashing or falling over.” It was a physically demanding experience that tested her skills as both a singer and a performer.

Regarding McCarthy-Wahlberg—a dedicated fan of the “Housewives” franchise—figuring her out, Jayne remarked, “I have a very distinct voice, and you can only hide it for so long.” Her unique vocal qualities made it challenging to remain incognito for the entire duration of the show.

Jayne’s participation on “The Masked Singer” coincides with a recent controversy involving her and fellow “Housewives” star Bozoma Saint John during an episode of “Watch What Happens Live.” When host Andy Cohen inquired about their castmate Garcelle Beauvais’s departure, their silence—followed by some snarky comments—incited backlash from viewers, highlighting the drama that often surrounds reality television.

“Listen, I was responding to Garcelle’s previous comments, where she said, ‘F*** Erika,’” Jayne explained. “My response is my response. I stand by it.” The tension and conflicts among cast members often lead to heated discussions and divided opinions within the fanbase.

As Yorkie, Jayne joined a remarkable lineup of celebrities unmasked in Season 13, including Method Man as Stud Muffin, Candace Cameron Bure as Cherry Blossom, James Van Der Beek as Griffin, Flavor Flav as Space Ranger, Sheana Shay as Bat, Aubrey O’Day as Ant, Oscar de la Hoya as Fuzzy Peas, and Cedric the Entertainer as Honey Pot. Each reveal adds excitement and curiosity to the ongoing season.

“Decades Night” also marked the Group C finale, beginning with the three remaining contestants performing “My Sharona” by The Knack. Following the performances, the first singer to advance to the “Lucky Six” was the Mad Scientist Monster. This left Yorkie and Nessy to compete in a final showdown, where they both performed “Hard to Handle” by Otis Redding. Ultimately, Nessy triumphed in that round, sending Yorkie home.

This means that the “Lucky Six” have now been established: Group A winners Coral and Paparazzo, Group B winners Pearl and Boogie Woogie, and Group C winners Mad Scientist Monster and Nessy. The competition continues to heat up as the contestants aim for the top.

Returning for Season 13 are host Nick Cannon and panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Rita Ora, and Robin Thicke. Ora is back at the table for a third consecutive season, stepping in for Nicole Scherzinger, adding her own flair and insights to the panel discussions.

New this season is a mysterious character known as Detective Lucky Duck, who will appear throughout the season to provide clues and assist the panelists in “quacking” the case of who’s beneath the masks. This week, Season 3 contestant Bret Michaels appeared to offer a clue for Nessy: “I’ve rocked out with this person many times. If you don’t get this one, I’ll be shocked.” Later, Lucky Duck appeared with the Golden Ear trophy, indicating it will be up for grabs for the panelists—whoever makes the most correct guesses this season will win.

Additionally new this season are the “Crack the Case” clue situations, where more clues are shared regarding the eliminated contestant. For Yorkie, the clue was a pair of black knee-high boots. “These lucky boots are custom-made for me. My current boots are made for walking. They got me through a whole lot. Wherever I go, even the biggest Strip.”

“The Masked Singer” Season 13 features themed episodes including tributes to the beloved franchises like “Shrek” and “Ghostbusters,” as well as a special celebration of the Grand Ole Opry as it marks its 100th anniversary. Upcoming themes include a tribute to the Rat Pack and exciting themes such as “Voices of Olympus: Unmasking of the Gods,” “Carnival,” “Boy Bands,” “Decades,” “Lucky 6 Speed Guessing,” “War of the Masks,” and the return of “Soundtrack of My Life.” The variety keeps viewers engaged and entertained week after week.

The masked contestants of Season 13 include Honey Pot, Space Ranger, Cherry Blossom, Coral, Fuzzy Peas, Ant, Paparazzo, Griffin, Boogie Woogie, Pearl, Bat, Yorkie, Stud Muffin, Nessy, and Mad Scientist Monster. Each contestant brings their own uniqueness to the competition, making every episode a must-watch.

Here were the standout performances from Wednesday’s Episode 9, “Decades Night”:

Spotlight on Yorkie: A Unique Performance Journey

Featured Song: “Stop! In the Name of Love,” by The Supremes

Panel’s Guesses: Lori Loughlin, Kyle Richards, Erika Jayne

Time Machine Clue: “Show Dog.” “I’m a show dog. I’m part of one of the biggest TV shows out there.” This clue hinted at her star power and presence on a popular reality show.

Yorkie’s Voiceover Insight: “I chose the ‘60s because they remind me of my mother. I can instantly picture her as a young woman, falling in love and getting married. It encapsulates that white picket fence dream of the decade. However, just a few years later, after I was born, everything fell apart when my father left. My mother was left to raise a child on her own. It was never the same. She used her pain as a cautionary tale. She taught me to be guarded with my heart and keep love on a short leash, to think things through. Because every chance at love was a greater chance at heartbreak. Thus, I matured quickly. Some may say I was cold. I resented that part of myself for many years. I’ve had to learn how to let people in. After my own tumultuous experiences with love, I can finally appreciate where my mother was coming from. She was just trying to protect me. So this song is for her, my ultimate protector.”

Previous Voiceovers: “When this New Yorkie broke onto the scene, I was adored. Until I found myself entangled in a major scandal, paying for someone else’s decisions, someone I loved. My name was all over the news, gossip sites, and even billboards around town. Let’s be real; I was dragged through the mud. But I stayed true to myself and did everything I could to keep my chin up. I’m most proud of that. And as it always does, the truth came out. Life can be messy. Love can be messier. But you can survive. Once you have a strong foundation, you can rebuild step-by-step and emerge stronger. And I’m living proof of that.”

Earlier Songs Performed: “Hot To Go!,” by Chappell Roan; “Step By Step,” by New Kids on the Block

Previous Panel Guesses: Chelsea Handler, Paris Hilton, Kyle Richards, Teresa Giudice, Paris Hilton, Erika Jayne

Dive into the Performance of Mad Scientist Monster

Featured Song: “Love Yourself,” by Justin Bieber

Panel’s Guesses: Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Billy Ray Cyrus

Time Machine Clue: “Season 4.” “I’ve performed with someone from Season 4.” This clue added intrigue about the contestant’s past connections and performances.

Mad Scientist Monster’s Voiceover Reflection: “I chose the 2010s because they were lit. Electric cars hit the roads, and smart phones hit the stores. It’s among the best decades of my career. It felt like I could conquer the world. I won every award possible, except that Nobel prize. But I didn’t do it alone. While we ran together, it wasn’t forever. We had very different theories on life. I wanted to explore new avenues and keep our grand experiment alive. However, we never tested that hypothesis, so I ventured out on my own. At first, I was mad. But as life continued, I discovered I quite enjoyed being in control of my outcomes. I learned a significant lesson: sometimes chemistry changes, and that’s okay. Not everyone is going to love you, and that’s okay too, as long as you love yourself.”

Previous Songs Performed: “Sick,” by Matchbox Twenty; “I Swear,” by All-4-One

Previous Panel Guesses: Luke Combs, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban

Explore the Journey of Nessy: An Emotional Tribute

Featured Song: “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” by REO Speedwagon

Panel’s Guesses: Dave Matthews, Daryl Hall, Pat Monahan

Time Machine Clue: “Bieber & Puth.” “They’re just a couple of kids who famously covered my song. And I got to score some cool dad points.” This clever clue connected her to popular artists, enhancing her appeal.

Nessy’s Voiceover Reflection: “The 80s, a decade filled with mullets, MTV, and camcorders. That’s why I chose it. Back then, you’d blast a love song from a boom box outside your crush’s bedroom window just to let them know how you feel. For me, there was one band that dominated my boom box: the mighty REO Speedwagon. I even got to open for them! Their music taught me how to put lyrics to the feeling of love—something I became known for in my career. Valentine’s Day is practically my Super Bowl. God only knows how many couples have walked down the aisle to my music. When it came time for me to say my own ‘I dos,’ you can believe there was one band that made the playlist: REO Speedwagon. So tonight, I’m honoring them. And I can’t fight the feeling anymore that I truly want to continue in this competition.”

Earlier Songs Performed: “Roxanne,” by The Police; “Tearin’ Up My Heart,” by *NSYNC

Previous Panel Guesses: Gene Simmons, Dan Reynolds, Daryl Hall, Dave Matthews, Darius Rucker, Pat Monahan

In Season 12, Boyz II Men (as the Buffalo) won the Masked trophy, triumphing over Mario, who was the Wasp, and ended up as the season’s runner-up. They joined a remarkable cast including AJ Michalka as Strawberry Shortcake, Kobie Turner as Goo, Jana Kramer as Royal Knight, Bronson Arroyo as Sherlock Hound, Drake Bell as Ice King, Bethany Hamilton as Macaron, Natalie Imbruglia as Bluebell, Laverne Cox as Chess Piece, Andy Richter as Dusty Bunny, Paula Cole as Ship, Marsai Martin as Woodpecker, Yvette Nicole Brown as Showbird, and John Elway as Leaf Sheep, all of whom were unmasked in Season 12 of “The Masked Singer.”

“The Masked Singer” is produced by Fox Alternative Entertainment. Key executive producers include Rosie Seitchik, Craig Plestis, and Nick Cannon, who also serves as the showrunner. The series is based on a format created by Munhwa Broadcasting Corp. from South Korea, which has gained international acclaim for its unique and entertaining approach to music and performance.