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".
Contents
Panelists and host
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". "Soundtrack Of My Life" was featured once again after having already been represented in the previous two seasons.
Contestants
The contestants were revealed between August 15 and September 23, 2024. The season features 15 contestants divided into three groups of five. 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.
The Buffalos made history as they became the first group ever to win in the American edition of the Masked Singer.
Episodes
Week 1 (September 25) - "Season 12 Premiere: Who Can It Be Now?"
Guest performance: Panelist Rita Ora performs "Who Can It Be Now?" by Men at Work
Week 2 (October 2) - "Footloose Night"
Guest performance: Panelist Robin Thicke performs "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins
Week 3 (October 9) - "Group A Finals: Soundtrack of My Life"
Group performance: "High Hopes" by Panic! at the Disco
After being unmasked, Cole performed her signature song "I Don't Want to Wait" as her encore performance.
Week 4 (October 16) - "Group B Premiere: Sports Night"
Guest performance: Panelists Rita Ora and Robin Thicke perform "Rock You Like a Hurricane" by Scorpions
Week 5 (October 23) - "Barbie Night"
Guest performance: Panelist Ken Jeong performs "I'm Just Ken" by Ryan Gosling
Week 6 (November 6) - "Group B Finals: '60s Night"
Group performance: "Fun, Fun, Fun" by The Beach Boys
Week 8 (November 20) - "Miley Cyrus Night"
Group performance: "Party in the U.S.A."
Week 9 (November 28) - "Group C Finals: A Peanuts Thanksgiving"
Guest performance: Panelists Rita Ora and Robin Thicke perform "You Make My Dreams" by Hall & Oates
Week 11 (December 11) - "Semi-Finals: The Final Three"
Group performance: "Some Nights" by Fun
After being unmasked, Michalka performed her signature song "Potential Breakup Song" as her encore performance.
Week 12 (December 18) - "Finale: A Champion Is Crowned"
Guest performance: Nick Lachey performs "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Andy Williams
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".