Context:

The Masked Singer Season 13 has returned with its finals, featuring the top four contestants, including Pearl, who performed 'Black Horse and the Cherry Tree' by KT Tunstall. Throughout the season, participants give clues to help judges and fans guess their identities while remaining masked, with Detective Lucky Duck aiding in this process. Pearl's clues hint at a tough exterior, past struggles in the music industry, a connection to Dolly Parton, and being a single mother, leading panelists to guess names like Joan Jett, Madonna, and Gretchen Wilson. Gretchen Wilson is a leading guess due to her similar background of overcoming industry challenges, bartending jobs, a love for baseball, and past collaborations with Dolly Parton. The clues also reference her simple red carpet attire and performances at major events like the 2005 Super Bowl and 2019 CMA Awards, further supporting the guess of Gretchen Wilson as Pearl.

Dive Deeper:

• Pearl's first performance showcased clues such as a tough exterior, a baseball, cherries, and a pink umbrella, alongside hints at struggles breaking into the music industry, leading to guesses like Regina King and Joan Jett.

• During her second performance, clues revealed Pearl ran away before high school, worked at a bar, and had a connection to football and writing, prompting guesses like Joan Jett and Melissa Etheridge.

• The third performance included hints of sharing the stage with Dolly Parton, a Christmas wreath, and a strong woman quote, resulting in guesses such as Sheryl Crow and Carrie Underwood.

• Fourth performance clues indicated a connection to Elvis, a diamond record, and a specific clue that she is not Shania Twain, leading to guesses like Faith Hill and Pat Benatar.

• Fifth performance clues revealed she was a single mother, could hitch a trailer alone, and a cassette tape labeled 'Movie', with panel guesses including Bonnie Tyler and Wynonna Judd.

• Sixth performance clues described her as a trailblazer who spins a ship's wheel, has walked the AMAs red carpet with Jenny McCarthy, and won a major award at the AMAs, leading to guesses like Kacey Musgraves and Natalie Maines.

• The final clue emphasized her gritty attitude hindering early success, aligning closely with Gretchen Wilson's life story, including her bartending past, lack of formal education, simple fashion, and notable performances, solidifying her as a strong guess for Pearl.

• The Masked Singer is back!

• The season 13 Finals of the hit FOX singing competition series aired on Wednesday night (May 7).

• The show, which began in South Korea, features celebrities singing songs while wearing costumes and face masks concealing their identities until they’re eliminated. Throughout the season, the contestants provide clues to try and help the judges and fans figure out who is under the mask.

• This season includes the new costumed character Detective Lucky Duck, who will help panelists “uncover who’s behind each mask.”

• During the episode, Top Four contestants Boogie Woogie, Mad Scientist Monster, Pearl, and Coral hit the stage for another performance.

• While on stage, Pearl performed “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” by KT Tunstall.

• Keep reading to see all of the clues and guesses for Pearl…Keep scrolling to check out the clues and guesses…

• FIRST PERFORMANCE CLUES:

• - She has a tough exterior.

• - Holds up a baseball.

• - Holds up two cherries.

• - Covers herself under a pink umbrella.

• - Had a tough time breaking out into the industry.

• - When she’s on the red carpet, she says that she’s wearing something she “found on sale.”

• PANEL GUESSES: Regina King, Shania Twain, & Joan Jett

• SECOND PERFORMANCE CLUES:

• - Ran away from home before she was in high school.

• - Worked at a bar.

• - Crescent moon shown.

• - Lots of football clues.

• - She’s a “best seller,” meaning she’s a writer.

• PANEL GUESSES: Joan Jett, Madonna, & Melissa Etheridge

• THIRD PERFORMANCE CLUES:

• - Once shared the stage with Dolly Parton.

• - Christmas wreath hung on display.

• - Golden figurine angel shown.

• - Strong arm image on a pair of cowboy boots.

• - Has been quoted saying “As a strong woman, there’s nothing I like more than making others feel strong too”

• PANEL GUESSES: Sheryl Crow, Trisha Yearwood, Kelly Pickler, & Carrie Underwood.

• FOURTH PERFORMANCE CLUES:

• - She’s not Shania Twain

• - She has a connection to Elvis

• - She’s a diamond record holder

• PANEL GUESSES: Faith Hill & Pat Benatar

• FIFTH PERFORMANCE CLUES:

• - She was a single mother

• - Gold earrings shown

• - She can “hitch a trailer” all by herself

• - Cassette tape with “Movie” written on it shown

• PANEL GUESSES: Bonnie Tyler, Wynonna Judd, & Brandi Carlile

• SIXTH PERFORMANCE CLUES:

• - She’s a trailblazer

• - She’s opened doors for others

• - Spins a ship’s wheels

• - She and Jenny McCarthy walked the same red carpet at the AMAs

• - She won one of her “biggest awards” at the AMAs

• PANEL GUESSES: Kacey Musgraves, Ann Wilson, & Natalie Maines

• FINALE CLUES:

• - Her “gritty” attitude got in the way of her success at the beginning of her career

• PANEL GUESSES: Kacey Musgraves, Madonna, Joan Jett, & Pat Benatar

• OUR GUESS: Gretchen Wilson

• Over the years, Gretchen has talked about how she had a difficult time getting her big break in the music industry, and used to work jobs like bartending. She also dropped out of high school. Her red carpet and performance outfits are usually pretty simple. Gretchen is also a big fan of baseball and performed during 2005 Super Bowl pregrame show. Gretchen and Dolly opened the 2019 CMA Awards with a performance together. Gretchen released her holiday album Christmas in My Heart back in 2013, which could be in connection with the Christmas wreath clue.

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