With the last group finally joining The Masked Singer stage, the evening begins as Nick Cannon, the host, takes on the role of DJ to boost the crowd’s excitement.
Music festivals are more popular than ever, and Season 12’s Group C jumps in for the first-ever “Who Are You Fest.”
Five new masked contestants have arrived, ready to perform and compete for the Golden Masked Trophy. Could one of these five be the season’s ultimate winner?
As part of the excitement, Cannon shares a VIP Pass with the audience, saying it includes exclusive treats, hints, and even a major celebrity reveal. Whether or not the “massive celebrity” will live up to the hype remains to be seen.
For the last time this season, the Masked Ambassador twist returns, bringing back former contestants to support and give clues. Let’s see if these returning stars can help us uncover the identities of the five new masked celebrities.
Royal Knight: A Chivalrous Start to the Festival
Royal Knight leads off the festival with confidence and flair. Savannah Chrisley, a reality star and last season’s Afghan Hound, serves as Royal Knight’s Masked Ambassador.
Chrisley shares that, like many young girls, she grew up with dreams of a fairy-tale life but soon learned that reality wasn’t so simple.
She learned to build strength and resilience through struggles and heartbreak, eventually becoming a warrior in her own story.
As a nod to her journey, Royal Knight shouts into a megaphone labeled “The T,” saying, “I broke free from you and I, and had to learn how to be me.”
She’s not interested in castles or royalty; instead, she’s bringing a sense of strong independence and main-character energy to her performance.
Her clue package includes a television remote, which she uses like a sword, and a single glass slipper. Could this powerful contestant be another reality TV star with a story of transformation?
For her first performance, Royal Knight chooses Lady Gaga’s “You and I.” There’s a slight Southern twang in her voice, hinting that this contestant might come from the South.
While her voice isn’t flawless, she delivers a solid performance, displaying impressive stage presence that electrifies the crowd.
Each new contestant’s clues are showcased on the “merch wall,” where fans and judges get additional hints.
Royal Knight’s merch wall hoodie reads “Ready to Sleigh,” adding a bit of holiday spirit to her persona. She tells the panel she’s ready to impress and “sleigh” the competition, no matter the season.
This clue has the panel buzzing, with guesses that range from TV and film stars like Ashley Tisdale, Lily James, and Hayden Panettiere. But who among these stars has a holiday connection?
Sherlock Hound: A Veteran Musician Takes the Stage
Sherlock Hound enters the competition next, introduced by Barry Zito, the former MLB player who performed as Rhino in Season 3. Zito shares that, though Sherlock Hound might be an “old dog,” he’s always willing to learn new tricks.
Sherlock Hound reveals that his family has deep musical roots, with his grandmother teaching music and his father playing the piano.
Rock and roll ignited his own passion for music, leading him to perform everywhere from campfires to dive bars and tour buses.
Zito adds that he and Sherlock Hound have shared countless jam sessions, and it’s clear from the performance clues that Sherlock Hound is a seasoned musician.
Other hints in his clue package include Sherlock Hound holding a guitar, sporting an eye patch, and proudly displaying a diamond record. With all these hints, it seems likely he’s a music industry veteran who’s no stranger to performing.
Sherlock Hound chooses to perform “Under the Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, displaying a deep, rich vocal tone. Unlike many contestants who step out of their comfort zones, his song choice feels natural, suggesting that rock is his preferred genre.
His merch wall clue is a t-shirt that reads “#1 Hit,” hinting that he’s had chart-topping success in his career.
The panel shows guesses within the rock genre, throwing out names like Eddie Vedder, Gavin Rossdale, Chad Kroeger, and Brandon Boyd. This time, the panel’s guesses seem to be circling closer to the correct answer, sticking within the rock genre.
Ice King: Returning to the Stage with Confidence
The next contestant, Ice King, is introduced by Hanson, the band known for performing as the Russian Dolls in Season 5.
Hanson describes Ice King as someone who has achieved worldwide fame, performed for massive audiences, and received royal treatment.
Ice King reflects on how he once topped the charts, played to sold-out stadiums, and felt like a superstar.
However, Hollywood’s pressures led him to step away from the spotlight for a while. Now, he’s making a comeback to reconnect with his first love: performing.
Alongside images of a passport and a chocolate bar, Ice King’s clues suggest that this is his chance to ease back into the world of music. One of the biggest hints may be Hanson’s statement that they played a role in helping Ice King launch his career.
Ice King commands attention as he takes the stage to perform “Tonight Tonight” by Hot Chelle Rae. His voice has a unique tone, carrying a playful, character-driven quality that evokes early 2000s pop music. Many fans might associate this voice with a former Nickelodeon star, such as Drake Bell.
The merch wall clue is a hoodie that reads “Drop the Fire Beat,” hinting at his past reputation for energetic and catchy music.
The panel’s guesses include a mix of DJs and pop stars like Diplo, Calvin Harris, Skrillex, Pete Wentz, Joe Jonas, and even YouTuber Mr. Beast. But which of these names could fit all of the clues?
Strawberry Shortcake: A Dream Realized
Strawberry Shortcake steps up next, introduced by her Masked Ambassador, Hayley Orrantia, who performed as Ringmaster in Season 7. In her clue package, Strawberry Shortcake recalls her childhood dreams of performing at a music festival.
Though she believed she belonged on stage, she spent years watching from the sidelines. Her clues include social media posts hinting that she finally had a breakthrough at a major festival, calling it her “sweetest success.”
Orrantia adds that she’s thrilled to support Strawberry Shortcake as she finally reaches her milestone moment. Could this contestant be a close friend or co-star of Orrantia’s?
For her debut performance, Strawberry Shortcake selects “Slow Burn” by Kacey Musgraves, impressing the panel with her warm, controlled vocals and genuine presence. Her merch wall clue is a t-shirt with two drama masks and the words “Break a Leg,” hinting at a breakthrough role.
This clue leads the panel to consider AJ Michalka, who is both a singer (from the duo Aly & AJ) and an actress. The panel also shows other names, including Renee Rapp, Lana Del Rey, and Rachel Zegler, but it’s AJ Michalka who fits the friendship connection with Orrantia, who co-starred with her on The Goldbergs.
Macaron: A Story of Strength and Resilience
Last up is Macaron, introduced by Willie Robertson, who performed as Mallard in Season 6. Robertson shares that Macaron’s life was once carefree and joyful until everything changed suddenly. Instead of letting life’s challenges break her, Macaron fought back, starting fresh to chase her dreams.
Her clue package includes a clapboard labeled “The Real Macaron,” sparking speculation that she might be from reality TV.
At one point, Macaron is seen holding a photo of actress AnnaSophia Robb, leading fans to wonder if Macaron could be representing someone Robb portrayed in a film, possibly shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton.
With her distinctive costume that features a tray of macarons and an immobile left arm, Macaron’s performance is both fun and heartfelt. She sings with passion, though not at the professional level seen in other contestants.
The costume detail, with her left arm remaining still, may be another hint at Bethany Hamilton, who famously lost an arm in a shark attack. Macaron’s merch wall clue reads “Unstoppable. Blooming all year long.”
The panel shows several guesses, from Ariana Madix to Gypsy Rose Blanchard, and even Real Housewives cast members. However, after a commercial break, Rita Ora puts the pieces together and suggests Bethany Hamilton.
In the end, Macaron becomes the first contestant eliminated from Group C. The panel gives their final guesses, with Robin Thicke sticking with Ariana Madix and Ken Jeong choosing Gypsy Rose Blanchard. However, Rita Ora and Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg review the clues carefully and land on Bethany Hamilton.
Finally, it’s confirmed—Macaron is indeed Bethany Hamilton. While her fame might not be quite as high-profile as Nick Cannon teased, her inspiring story of resilience and strength reflects the heart of The Masked Singer.
Group C’s debut brought intriguing performances, heartfelt stories, and clever clues, with each masked contestant bringing their unique flair to the stage.
From reality stars to musicians, The Masked Singer continues to surprise and entertain, leaving viewers guessing who might walk away with the Golden Masked Trophy this season.
The Masked Singer airs every Wednesday at 8 p.m. on Fox, and all episodes are available for streaming on Hulu.
