Hummingbird was a contestant on the Fox reality TV show The Masked Singer. The masked celebrity sang songs each week while disguised in an elaborate Hummingbird costume. Their identity was kept secret until they were eliminated and unmasked.
Who is the celebrity under the Hummingbird mask?
The celebrity behind the Hummingbird mask was revealed to be Sherri Shepherd, an actress and comedian best known for her time as a co-host on The View. Shepherd was unmasked as the Hummingbird after singing “I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” by Jennifer Holliday on the March 30, 2022 episode.
Clues about Hummingbird on The Masked Singer
Throughout her time on The Masked Singer, Hummingbird dropped a number of hints about her real identity in her clue packages:
- She talked about being “pitch perfect” and having a voice you can recognize
- She said she found success in many fields despite humble beginnings
- Visual clues included a gavel, a cupcake, 106, a giant flower, and a green room
- She described almost leaving her career to have a family before “divine intervention” occurred
- She said she had been “silenced” in the past but was embracing her voice
All of these clues pointed to Sherri Shepherd’s career. She got her start in stand-up comedy before becoming a popular TV host and actress known for speaking her mind. The green room referenced her time on The View, while the gavel was a nod to her role as a judge on Dish Nation.
The judges’ guesses for Hummingbird
The Masked Singer judges tried to figure out the identity of the celebrity under the Hummingbird mask each week. Here are some of their top guesses:
| Judge | Guesses |
|---|---|
| Robin Thicke | Sherri Shepherd, Star Jones, Yvette Nicole Brown |
| Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg | Sherri Shepherd, Raven-Symoné, Janet Jackson |
| Ken Jeong | Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Wendy Williams |
| Nicole Scherzinger | Sherri Shepherd, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah |
Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg and Nicole Scherzinger both correctly guessed Sherri Shepherd multiple times based on the singing voice and performance style of Hummingbird.
Sherri Shepherd’s journey on The Masked Singer
Sherri Shepherd made it through several rounds as the costumed Hummingbird before her elimination in the Group A finals:
- Premiere – Sang “I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” by Jennifer Holliday. Saved by the judges.
- Week 2 – Sang “Cuz I Love You” by Lizzo. Safe after audience vote.
- Week 3 – Sang “Fancy Like” by Walker Hayes. Safe after audience vote.
- Week 4 – Sang “Rude” by Magic!. Eliminated after judges vote.
Shepherd delivered powerful vocals each week in the elaborate hummingbird costume. But she was ousted in week 4 after losing in the judges vote to The Masked Singer favorites Ringmaster and Firefly.
Despite a shorter run than some, Shepherd said she absolutely loved her experience on The Masked Singer. She got to sing different genres and challenge herself in a whole new way.
Why Hummingbird was the perfect masked singer costume
The Hummingbird costume was perfectly suited to Sherri Shepherd and her vocal talents:
- The hummingbird represented her fun, energetic spirit and persona
- The bright, flashy costume mirrored her career as a comedian and talk show host
- Hummingbirds are known for lighting up with color and sound, just like Shepherd lights up on stage
- The long beak allowed her facial expressions and mannerisms to still show through
Shepherd could show off her powerful singing voice as Hummingbird, while still letting her vibrant personality shine through. And she certainly seemed to “feed off the energy of the crowd” just like a real hummingbird!
Previous guesses for Hummingbird on The Masked Singer
Before Sherri Shepherd was revealed, viewers of The Masked Singer had many guesses for who was under the Hummingbird mask based on the costume and clues:
Fantasia Barrino
Some fans thought Hummingbird could be singer Fantasia Barrino, as she rose to fame winning American Idol with her powerful voice.
Missy Elliott
Rapper Missy Elliott was a popular guess for Hummingbird, since she is known for her creative style and hitting every note.
Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah, an actress and singer, was also considered a possibility for the vibrant Hummingbird costume.
Jennifer Hudson
Oscar-winning singer Jennifer Hudson was frequently mentioned for Hummingbird, though her voice seemed too big a match.
Jordin Sparks
Former American Idol winner Jordin Sparks was also thought to potentially be the Hummingbird singer on the show.
Taylor Dayne
1980s and 90s pop star Taylor Dayne was also discussed online as potentially being under the Hummingbird mask.
Conclusion
In the end, it was comedian and TV personality Sherri Shepherd behind the Hummingbird mask. She delivered impressive singing performances before being eliminated in week 4. Shepherd was able to showcase a different side of her talents on The Masked Singer stage as the vibrant, energetic Hummingbird.
