The twelfth season of the American television series The Masked Singer premiered on Fox on September 25, 2024, and concluded on December 18, 2024. The season was won by vocal R&B group Boyz II Men as the "Buffalos", with singer Mario finishing second as "Wasp".
Nick Cannon, singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, television and radio personality Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, actor and comedian Ken Jeong and recording artist Rita Ora all returned from the previous season. Ora was absent in the eleventh episode due to illness, so Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, and Ken Jeong appeared alone.
William Shatner, who portrayed "Knight" during the eighth season, appeared as a special guest during the first episode. Kevin Bacon appeared as a special guest during the second episode. Joel McHale and Nikki Glaser (who portrayed "Snowstorm" in the eighth season) appeared as guest commentators in the fourth episode. The Peanuts gang appeared during the ninth episode. Season five winner Nick Lachey, Robin's mother Gloria Loring, and Rita's husband Taika Waititi, the latter two appearing in the audience, appeared in the season finale.
Production
Much like the previous four seasons of the series, the twelfth season features the return of themed nights. Throughout the season, themes include nights dedicated to Miley Cyrus and the film Footloose. Additionally, other themes include a night dedicated to the toy-film brand Barbie, "60s Night", "Sports Night", "Who Are You Fest", and "Peanuts Thanksgiving".[1] "Soundtrack Of My Life" was featured once again after having already been represented in the previous two seasons.[1]
Contestants
The contestants were revealed between August 15 and September 23, 2024.[1][2][3] The season features 15 contestants divided into three groups of five.[1] This is the first season since the seventh season to not feature Wild Card contestants or contestants that join the competition later than the rest. Additionally, the "Ding Dong Keep It On" bell returned from the previous three seasons. The bell allows the panel to save one contestant from being eliminated throughout the three group finals and bring them to the quarterfinals.
On August 15, 2024, it was confirmed that former contestants such as Dick Van Dyke, Jewel, Ne-Yo, and DeMarcus Ware would appear as Mask Ambassadors for the new contestants throughout the season. Each Mask Ambassador has a connection to the contestant and serves as a clue to their identity.[1]
The Buffalos made history as they became the first group ever to win in the US variation of the Masked Singer. They are also the first trio to win in any variation worldwide
WIN The masked singer won with their performance and advanced in the competition.
KEPT The masked singer was saved from elimination by a panelist using the "Ding Dong Keep It On" bell.
SAFE The masked singer was safe from elimination.
RISK The masked singer was in the bottom two, but was not eliminated.
OUT The masked singer was eliminated from the competition and unmasked.
The masked singer did not perform.
The celebrities who competed in the twelfth season of The Masked Singer, pictured in order of elimination (L-R): John Elway ("Leaf Sheep"), Yvette Nicole Brown ("Showbird"), Marsai Martin ("Woodpecker"), Paula Cole ("Ship"), Andy Richter ("Dust Bunny"), Laverne Cox ("Chess Piece"), Natalie Imbruglia ("Bluebell"), Bethany Hamilton ("Macaron"), Drake Bell ("Ice King"),Jana Kramer ("Royal Knight"),Bronson Arroyo ("Sherlock Hound"),AJ Michalka ("Strawberry Shortcake"),Mario ("Wasp") and Boyz II Men ("Buffalos")
Not pictured: Kobie Turner ("Goo")
Episodes
Week 1 (September 25) - "Season 12 Premiere: Who Can It Be Now?"
After being unmasked, Mario performed his signature song "Let Me Love You" as his encore performance, and Boyz II Men performed their signature song "Motownphilly".
Ratings
Viewership and ratings per episode of The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 12
^ abWhile in the middle of their unmasking and per the chanting of the audience, panelist Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg used the "Ding Dong Keep It On" bell to save Goo from elimination, allowing the portrayer to keep their mask on and continue in the competition.
^Brown was previously a guest panelist during the third season.
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