The Butterfly reveal made for an emotional episode of ‘The Masked Singer’

For a series that features over-the-top costumes, masked celebrities and next-level puns, The Masked Singer (Wednesdays, 8 p.m., CTV) can be pretty emotional at times. Call it the power of music or chalk it up to performers exposing themselves in new ways, but the latest episode was all kinds of moving. “Clash of the Masks” gave us another impossible elimination after Butterfly and The Fox, and Thingamajig and Tree, faced off in front of judges (including returning guest judge Joel McHale) and audiences. We’ve been writing for the past couple of weeks how hard it is to say goodbye to anyone at this point, but Wednesday night was maybe the toughest. At the beginning of the competition we would have banked on any one of these fab four going all the way to the end.

Thingamajig x Pussycat Doll

We were shook when Thingamajig landed in the bottom two alongside Butterfly, because at this point we’re basically waiting for him and Nicole Scherzinger to have little Pussycat Doll babies. We love how much he’s into the whole flirtation, and we were very much there for it when he incorporated Nicole into his clue package and essentially asked her out on a date.For her part, Nicole seems into it too. But what happens when Thingamajig actually has to take off his mask? Will the magic fade? Or will these two walk hand-in-hand into the sunset? We kind of hope they do, but for now we’re enjoying their flirtation and banter, and hope that it continues well into the finals. Especially if it means more playful digs about Nicole’s exes in front of actual ex, host Nick Cannon.

??? #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/BiqHGvZFbT

— The Masked Singer (@MaskedSingerFOX) December 5, 2019

Taking flight

Fortunately for Nicole and fans of green monsters everywhere, Thingamajig was safe this week so his identity remains under wraps. Unfortunately that meant Butterfly had to take flight. We’ve been under her spell for weeks, what with that gorgeous voice and undeniable stage presence. And, TBH, as much as we love Thingamajig we thought she gave a better performance—especially in The Smackdown round.But, as much as this show is about singing it’s also personality driven, and audiences are going to vote for the performer who sparks the most joy. This week that meant Butterfly went home and we were okay with it only because it meant we got to finally see who was under the mask.

TAKE IT OFF! TAKE IT OFF! #ButterflyMask ? #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/Iqj2wwumC6

— The Masked Singer (@MaskedSingerFOX) December 5, 2019

We’ll admit we weren’t blown away when it turned out to be former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams, since we, and judge Jenny McCarthy, guessed it like a month ago. But of course with this show you never know.

A true metamorphosis

It didn’t take long for Michelle to tear up once the mask was off—this competition marked her official return to the stage after taking a year off to battle depression and breaking up with her fiancé, pastor Chad Johnson. That kind of turmoil obviously involved a lot of emotions and it's very understandable why the singer chose a butterfly costume to represent her journey.“It was a beautiful experience,” she told the judges. “Yes I’ve been on big stages, but for me personally, this was something for me to know like, ‘No, you got this!’ What a confidence builder. And you’re right. I haven’t worked all year so this was a way to come back strong.”

#ButterflyMask: This experience has rebuilt my confidence

Every fan of #TheMaskedSinger: ?— The Masked Singer (@MaskedSingerFOX) December 5, 2019

Who knew that a show with wild costumes and over-the-top security would get us right in the feels?With Butterfly officially out of the competition that leaves six masked singers. They’ll all take the stage on a special day next week, as the show gives us the early Christmas gift of back-to-back episodes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Come fully prepared with your guesses, because three are going home.The Masked Singer airs Tuesday and Wednesday next week at 8 p.m. ET on CTV.[video_embed id='1501883']RELATED: Ken Jeong showed us his infamous dance moves and it was the best[/video_embed]