Buffalos, Strawberry Shortcake, and Wasp have all belted out unbelievable performances all season lengthy, leaving audiences breathless with heartfelt moments of vulnerability and window-shaking moments of pure energy.

And but, they someway all managed to avoid wasting their greatest performances but for this semi-finals present. Regardless of the outcomes, the stage was set for an unbelievable finale. And whereas Rita Ora missed the episode as a consequence of feeling beneath the climate, she will probably be again for the massive end!

Sadly, after the tightest voting margin within the historical past of the present — with Nick Cannon revealing there was lower than one share level distinction — certainly one of these masks was going to fall simply brief.

Who gave it their all solely to go house one week earlier than the finale? And did anybody on our illustrious — ahem — panel of specialists make the appropriate guess? There’s just one solution to discover out!

Let’s soar proper in with this week’s masks. And don’t fret, earlier than we get to the surprising unmasking(s), we’ll make you energy by the horrible (and infrequently good) guesses made by our illustrious panel of Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, and Ken Jeong first. We do that as a result of we love … to torture you.

(“Some Nights,” Enjoyable.) The evening kicked off with a rollicking present piece from the remaining singers — and with 5 of them on the stage, it was a really full sound. Strawberry Shortcake held her personal as the one feminine in a discipline of male voices, whereas Wasp proved greater than succesful as a solo male artist. Buffalos are already a powerhouse group with killer harmonies, however we noticed that solo second from certainly one of them. And collectively, there was expertise to spare, setting the stage for an evening of stiff competitors — and one heartbreaking reveal.

(“Lose You to Love Me,” Selena Gomez) Strawberry Shortcake could have had a barely tilted masks tonight, however that efficiency was straight coronary heart. It was palpable and heartfelt from the primary be aware. We felt her feelings by every line of pitch-perfect be aware supply. It isn’t a simple track to cowl as a result of there’s nowhere to cover vocally, however Strawberry Shortcake was out in entrance of it proudly, boldly, and superbly.

Clues & Guesses: Generally you must step away from the dream to relearn how you can recognize it, as a result of most desires include a number of drag. That was Strawberry Shortcake’s expertise in her semi-finals clue package deal, the place she opened up about feeling disenchanted by strain, rejection, and self-doubt. She mentioned she was triggered by her early fame, resulting in an extended break. Now, she’s discovered the love and enjoyable once more.

When requested what she’s discovered on this journey, she shared, “I’ve discovered that I’m resilient, robust, and I am simply so completely happy to be on the stage.” She thanked the panel for his or her type phrases, saying this expertise again within the highlight confirmed her “that is the place I am speculated to be.”

Her on-stage Friendship Bracelet revealed a connection to Ken with the message “Press Tour.” She defined, “One of many highlights of my profession was the press tour we did collectively. You made me chuckle all day.”

Within the quarterfinals, Strawberry Shortcake made it clear that she often would not do that kind of factor … alone. She’s happy with herself for taking time for herself, even when her household and buddies being busy doing their issues was a part of her motivation for taking this opportunity. She mentioned she’s been a part of a “package deal bunch” her complete life, so this was all very thrilling and new.

“Hey sis, you might be completely crushing it, I am so happy with you,” got here her cellphone name clue. “It has been so wonderful to see you develop over time and simply get higher and higher on a regular basis. And bear in mind, I am at all times with you, it doesn’t matter what, so go on the market and present the world you are able to something, ‘trigger I do know you might be. And me and your nephew are rooting for you.”

Final week’s clue package deal was all about her connection along with her mom, sharing that they used to sing on the tops of their lungs for the vacations whereas baking. Now, although, stage fright has stolen her mom’s voice, and it is Strawberry Shortcake’s hope that this journey will encourage her mom to sing once more.

She additionally talked about having had a chance to seem in a Thanksgiving parade, whereas we noticed a pen with musical notes on it, a cow in a ballet costume, and a stagecoach with horse. Her on-stage clue was novelty mouse ears, to which she defined, “Mouse ears have been instrumental in how I received my begin.” And naturally, you’ll be able to’t say “mouse ears” with out fascinated by Disney.

Final week’s package deal was all about her connections to Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus, together with that they shared the identical desires, attacked them the identical approach, grew up in entrance of the world, and even shared a stage at one level. She mentioned the duo even leaned on each other after hobnobbing with the identical brothers, and breaking their hearts.

Visually, we received an apple, a “Banana Montana” clapperboard after she threw a script within the air from a director’s chair, and a capturing star. Her on-stage clue was a pair of crimson boxing gloves, one with a blonde wig and the opposite a marijuana leaf. “Miley has at all times been in my nook. She was even by my facet after I made my debut,” Strawberry Shortcake defined.

Season 7’s Ringmaster, Haley Orrantia, launched her pal as Strawberry Shortcake’s Masked Ambassador, calling her “a pageant favourite.” She shared they have been collectively by a few of Haley’s “greatest milestones,” too.

Talking for herself, Strawberry Shortcake mentioned that she’d at all times dreamed of performing in an enormous music pageant as a headliner, however needed to accept sitting on the sidelines. That’s, till she received the decision to open “some of the iconic ones.” She known as that day each candy and a “gradual burn,” however well worth the wait.

Visible clues all through included sunny sun shades, a kitten, rainbows, hearts, Instagram footage, mushrooms, and an ice cream cone. On stage, her t-shirt learn “Break a Leg,” to which she added, “My breakthrough function confirmed the world my potential.”

With a brand new friendship bracelet, Ken speculated his press tour connection to Strawberry Shortcake may have been throughout a Hangover film promotion tour the place he met Joey King. Jenny, although, thought-about Sarah Hyland, who’s undoubtedly confirmed off her singing chops earlier than. Robin’s guess was Lucy Hale, which once more related to promotional excursions for Ken’s Dr. Ken present, as did Hyland.

However none of these guesses align so nicely with all of the clues. You possibly can tie each the mouse ears and the cow to the Disney Channel authentic movie Cow Belles, which was the debut for Aly and her sister — and our favourite guess — AJ Michalka.

The kitten suggests each her Catra function on She-Ra and her function with Aly on Hellcats. Plus, AJ completely dated one of many JoBros (Joe, in actual fact), in order that vibe additionally is sensible. Oh, and that Hannah Montana connection might be that she has mentioned sister Aly was provided that function earlier than Miley landed it, whereas she was provided the function of Lilly Truscott.

Plus, we have nonetheless received final week’s touting that she’s an aunt now, so we might be remiss if we did not additionally be aware that Aly gave beginning to her son on April 21 of this yr, making AJ Michalka a brand new aunt!

(“Africa,” Toto) Buffalos took benefit of their quantity for some ad-libbing and runs by the refrain to raise this efficiency. At all times a crowd-pleaser, they undoubtedly stayed true to the spirit of the unique whereas injecting it with their unbelievable harmonies and highly effective voices. There was undoubtedly a number of intelligence in how they constructed this efficiency to each spotlight their expertise, and construct to a crescendo that leaves the viewers each glad and wanting extra.

Clues & Guesses: For the semi-finals, Buffalos paid tribute to their kids, who they mentioned sing even higher than they do. Do they sing collectively, although, Robin puzzled. They talked about doubters at the beginning of their careers, however how staying true to themselves helped them obtain their success and permit them to be that instance for his or her kids and the subsequent era.

As they’ve spoken about their bond collectively earlier than, Nick requested what they’d say to 1 one other. One Buffalo replied, “Nicely first I’d say, by no means in one million years would I believe I might even be in a Buffalo masks. However I am glad I am doing it with my brothers and the perfect buddies I’ve ever had.”

Their Friendship Bracelet connection was with Jenny, with the phrase “Donnie,” referring to her husband, Donnie Wahlberg. “We go approach again with Donnie,” defined one Buffalo. “And we additionally go approach again with you.”

Their quarter finals package deal was all about their bond of brotherhood, which needed to overcome an enormous impediment when “one thing occurred” to certainly one of their quantity that “ruined their delicate mix.” All of their deliberate joint everythings have been “known as off.” However they have been in a position to regroup and are available again stronger than ever.

Their cellphone name was from Babyface — sure that Babyface! — who advised them, “You guys are simply killing it. I’ve by no means seen you look higher or extra ridiculous. So stick with it, convey house the trophy.” They revealed that after getting the prospect to work with him, “It modified our lives.”

The trio selected The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” for his or her third efficiency as a result of they related with that bittersweet feeling. Of their clue package deal, they opened up about shedding a guiding gentle that impressed them as they have been breaking by after they misplaced him out of the blue.

They mentioned that they sang collectively whereas laying him to relaxation and thought that is likely to be it for them, however they know he’d need them to proceed. Visible clues within the package deal included a Lifeless Finish signal, a ringing bell, and camouflage umbrella.

“We have been on this business for a really very long time,” certainly one of them mentioned on stage after their efficiency. “We have gained so much and we have misplaced so much. The attractive factor is, we’re right here proper now sharing our story with you.” The opposite two circled round him in assist as he received emotional.

The on-stage clue was a t-shirt that reads “Halftime Present,” with the reason, “This halftime t-shirt has aged over time, like us, however we are able to let you know this efficiency was in entrance of one of many greatest audiences on the planet.”

Their second clue package deal noticed the trio describe themselves as rebels who discovered one another alongside the way in which by no means actually cared what different individuals mentioned about them. It emphasised that they are humorous — whereas suggesting some may assume they take themselves too significantly — and that they are wealthy. Like, approach wealthy.

Their bar-set package deal included an emphasis on three beer mugs, a recreation of poker, and a black “poison” bottle. Their clue got here out as a mini-“Motown” tractor. “We’re slightly drained proper now as a result of we’re busy utilizing this tractor to mow lawns throughout city,” they defined.

Season 5 winner Piglet (a.ok.a. Nick Lachey) shared a seemingly singular Buffalo’s story in his first clue package deal, speaking about his tough upbringing in “roach-filled beds at evening.” In the course of the day, he practiced at a bus cease. When Buffalo talked about catching his massive break at a cattle name, we noticed pictures of Betty White and Vanna White.

From that auspicious starting, Buffalo went on to journey the world and star in two of the most important sitcoms of all time. Nick got here again to name Buffalo a “nationwide treasure,” in addition to the focal point at his Tremendous Bowl events. Further pictures included a poster of a soccer participant at that bus cease and Buffalo holding up a movie reel.

Buffalo’s closing line was, “Simply you wait,” which evokes Hamilton. Their-on-stage clue the primary week was a crown.

After getting her friendship bracelet, Jenny reminisced concerning the teams Donnie has toured with as a part of New Youngsters on the Block, zeroing in on Boyz II Males for her guess. She famous that they have been there when she and Donnie began courting, with Wanya Morris even on a secret date with them early on.

Ken mentioned that whereas 99 p.c of him desires to go together with Jenny to Boyz II Males, “One p.c of Ken Jeong is gonna with Colour Me Badd and I will let you know why.” That one nearly cleared the dais earlier than Robin dug deeper into the Babyface archives to search out his brothers’ trio After 7.

Jenny rapidly identified she has no actual connection to that group, although, whereas her precise guess is consistent with what emerged as the perfect guess based mostly on the clues (and their iconic, velvety voices).

Riffing on final week’s clue about shedding certainly one of their very own, Boyz II Males was rocked when Michael “Mike Bass” McCary needed to go away as a consequence of persistent again issues in the end recognized as a number of sclerosis. As he stored the situation secret earlier than his departure, the band members felt he wasn’t giving his all, resulting in a rift.

Oh, and as for Babyface, he solely co-wrote and produced “Finish of the Highway,” one of many greatest hits of the ’90s, which catapulted them to the subsequent stage of their profession. Oh, and Wanya has six kids, 4 of whom additionally make up their very own R&B group, WanMor, which hints at that subsequent gen.

(“Stunning Issues,” Benson Boone) Wasp left all of it on the dance flooring with a young starting connecting immediately with the panel earlier than making his solution to the stage and pouring himself into that highly effective refrain. This was a tour de power efficiency that raised the bar on an already mind-blowing evening of performances. His vocal vary and management in several sounds and kinds is unparalleled. Already a powerhouse contender for the trophy, he simply upped his personal recreation with this one.

Clues & Guesses: Competing on The Masked Singer has reignited that aggressive drive in him that Wasp says was first woke up after his mom signed him up for a expertise contest in hopes it would assist him discover his approach out of the hood … and he gained it! Even higher, an “business mogul” was in attendance, and the remaining is historical past.

“I would like you to recollect your energy,” he advised his youthful followers. “As you grow old, always remember that baby that you just as soon as have been. At all times maintain dreaming and imagine in your self to the fullest it doesn’t matter what, how darkish it will get, what number of instances you fall. You possibly can at all times stand up and fly once more.”

His friendship bracelet was for Robin, with Wasp including, “I had a blast once we painted the city crimson in Nashville. We had such a very good time, you bear in mind?’ That left Robin scrambling to give you who all he is “painted the city crimson” with.

Wasp shifted his focus to like for the quarter finals … the place he is additionally struggled. Whereas driving the blue bike that kicked off his efficiency, he talked about not understanding what love was from any real-world examples, which can be why he flew quick and free searching for that rom-com magic.

He mentioned he failed greater than as soon as alongside the way in which, and even had just a few U-turns he mentioned ought to’ve been unlawful, however he is presently in love and hopeful that possibly he is lastly heading in the right direction. His on-stage clue was a cellphone name from a liked one, which for Wasp was his cousin.

“Hey Wasp, it is your greatest pal and cousin,” he mentioned as Wasp received visibly emotional. “You by no means stop to amaze me. You are able to so many issues it is ridiculous, from placing out hits to dwell theater to starring in one of many greatest exhibits of the last decade, you’re a massive star. I do know you’ve got received what it takes to win this factor.”

Final time we checked in with him, Wasp paid tribute to his mom, who handed away after going through her “darkest battle,” that he wasn’t outfitted to assist her overcome. He talked about her as his protector and his hero, sharing that she liked Halloween and enjoying dress-up — even saying she’d most likely need to put on his wasp costume.

As he talked, we noticed an old-timey (treasure?) map, a stethoscope, and a shot of a lava lamp subsequent to a DNA strand behind him. His ’60s invention was the ATM, with a $1,000,000 withdrawal triggering payments to fly in all places. “That is an attention-grabbing invoice,” Wasp mentioned, displaying Robin’s face on a million-dollar invoice. “Identical to this invoice, I’ve additionally hit one million,” he added.

For his second efficiency, Wasp pulled again the curtain on his crowded upbringing, rising up with greater than a dozen relations dwelling beneath the identical roof, with Wasp describing all of them as “hustlers.” The one factor lacking was his dad.

He mentioned that when he lastly stepped out and made it, although, he returned house to like and assist from his complete household, together with his father. His dad even expressed how happy with him he was. Clues within the package deal included a folding ladder, a theater marquee together with his identify, and a crimson crab.

His on-stage toy was a Barbie stage with two dolls standing on it, every with one arm raised, one on a little bit of a pedestal. “Each minute I am on the market, I take my dwell performances to new heights,” Wasp defined.

The Wasp’s Masked Ambassador is Ne-Yo (a.ok.a. Season 10 winner Cow), who mentioned, “I believe it is about time for my boy the Wasp to enter this recreation. I’ve identified him since he was recent on the scene and he gained large success by taking my phrases of knowledge. I believe he is received what it takes to snag the Golden Masks trophy, similar to I did in Season 10.”

Wasp then opened up about rising up in a tricky neighborhood, saying there is not any cause he would have made it out. “However I discovered to dig deep and struggle,” he mentioned, sporting a pair of boxing gloves. He then mentioned that his profession blew as much as the “greatest screens and phases on the planet.” Ne-Yo mentioned he had the women swarming.

Different visible clues included a shot of Mars and a lightbulb over Ne-Yo’s head whereas speaking about his phrases of knowledge. For Sports activities Evening, the singers introduced an athletic shoe from house to signify their life. Wasp’s honeycomb themed basketball sneakers left him saying, “Contemporary kicks assist me keep on my recreation.”

Fascinated by what Wasp mentioned about their time collectively in Nashville, Robin speculated about Anthony Ramos, although he did not bear in mind partying with him and the one Nashville connection he may give you was possibly Hamilton toured there. Yeah, it wasn’t nice, with Robin admitting, “I do not bear in mind so much.”

Jenny mused by artists like Maxwell and Jason Derulo, who has a “Heartbeat” track to tie to that clue, however Ken was feeling tremendous assured that possibly, lastly, simply this as soon as, he might be proper and Usher could be on this present. At this level, we hope Usher does do the present so Ken can not guess him and nonetheless get it fallacious! He did get a expertise present connection as Usher appeared on Star Search.

As for clever guesses, although, we’re nonetheless leaning towards Mario. He was raised by his grandmother in west Baltimore whereas his single mom struggled with heroin habit, and he is beforehand talked about having 18 relations dwelling in his home.

Ne-Yo wrote “Let Me Love You” for him, cementing that connection. He additionally starred within the TV adaptation of theatrical manufacturing Lease, giving us our marquee — and the ladder, too, whereas we’re at it, for its distinctive staging.

And whereas he cannot tout Star Search on his resume, Mario did compete at a expertise present at Coppin State School at age eleven the place he was found and signed by producer Troy Patterson, in the end resulting in a file cope with Clive Davis’ J Information in his early teenagers.

Earlier than the primary outcomes, everybody received a bonus clue collectively from the three finalists with a friendship bracelet for Nick and a be aware that learn, “From performing with you to attending your epic events, all three of us have connections to you, the legendary Nick Cannon.”

As for the primary outcomes, the evening simply appeared to construct from one nice efficiency to the subsequent, which may be very unhealthy information for Strawberry Shortcake. Jenny declared Buffalos the perfect efficiency of the season, however that was earlier than Wasp introduced down the home.

All of that implies that Strawberry Shortcake’s passionate, heartfelt and lovely efficiency is additional and additional again within the recollections of the viewers and panel. In truth, all three acts have been unbelievable tonight and gave performances worthy of advancing, however we might undoubtedly ship Wasp straight by from right here as he actually was on one other stage.

After what was the closest margin within the historical past of The Masked Singer — by lower than one p.c, per Nick — the artist advancing routinely to the finale was Wasp. If the masks that was inside a share level of them additionally advances, we might be one for one unbelievable (and extremely shut) finale!

Combining the Smackdown and Battle Royale format into one thing model new, the Smack Royale sees the 2 masks competing by performing the identical track back-and-forth on the identical time, much like the Battle Rounds on The Voice. Now, did they should rehearse this in each potential mixture, or are they only winging it?

(“Counting Stars”, OneRepublic) This was an attention-grabbing experiment that wasn’t utterly profitable in execution as you needed to hear laborious to listen to if Strawberry Shortcake was a part of concord components or if that was simply Buffalos. It might need labored higher in a real one-on-one. It additionally felt just like the association featured extra of them singing collectively or on high of each other than in solo breakout moments. The tip consequence was a spherical that felt slightly extra muddled than it ought to be and us extra not sure than ever about who we wished to see advance as everybody appeared to carry out fairly nicely. We are going to say that Buffalos appeared to place much more physicality and keenness into their performances.

One other shut second spherical continued to show simply how robust these semi-finalists are. It is actually laborious to say definitively that both of them have been in a unique league than the opposite on the evening, so we needed to look again throughout the season.

The finale is a fruits of a season-long journey, so by that mark we’d say that Buffalos will get the sting as they’ve provided distinctive, highly effective and distinctive preparations the entire approach. In the long run, the panel agreed, after calling the pairing a “Supergroup,” sending Buffalos into subsequent week’s finale, and the top of this journey for Strawberry Shortcake.

• Robin Thicke: Kelsea Ballerini
• Jenny McCarthy: Sarah Hyland
• Ken Jeong: Joey King

The panel was shifting in the appropriate route with Disney connections, however they appeared to overlook a few of the different clues, like that highly effective sister connection, so that they did not land on the appropriate guess because it was certainly proud new aunt and sister to Aly, AJ Michalka beneath the masks.

Regardless that she was none of their guesses, AJ continued to the touch everybody’s hearts along with her farewell messages as Robin reiterated she was top-of-the-line singers to ever grace the stage, whereas Ken recalled their connection whereas telling her how “unbelievable” she was on this present.

The Masked Singer reveals its Season 12 winner subsequent Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.