The Masked Singer season 12 episode 11 recap: Final three compete for the spot in the finale

The Masked Singer kicked off season 12 on Fox on September 25, 2024. The eleventh episode, which aired on December 11, 2024, featured fierce competition among the final three contestants - the Wasp, Strawberry Shortcake, and the Buffalos. In the latest episode, contestants battled for two coveted spots in the semifinals the following week.

Strawberry Shortcake was eventually eliminated, and singer AJ Michalka was revealed as the celebrity behind the mask. Last week saw Goo getting unmasked, revealing Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner beneath the costume.

Following Vanessa Hudgens' triumph as Goldfish in the previous season, 15 new contestants joined the competition, vying for the top spot this season. The judges on this season include Ken Jeong, Rita Ora, Robin Thicke, and Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg. Meanwhile, Nick Cannon returned as the host.

---

What happened in The Masked Singer season 12 episode 11?

Strawberry Shortcake started The Masked Singer semifinals with a rendition of Selena Gomez's song Lose You to Love Me. The panel guessed the singer to be Renee Rapp, Lana del Rey, Rachel Ziegler, Chloe Fineman, or Hilary Duff. They also guessed that the singer could have been Ashley Tisdale, Kelsea Ballerini, Hailee Steinfeld, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Haylie Duff, and Danielle Haim.

Through her voiceover, Strawberry Shortcake acknowledged that the competition was challenging, and expressed pride at having endured the intense rivalry. However, she noted that the glamour of Hollywood is multifaceted, with its sparkle and excitement often overshadowed by pressure, rejection, and self-doubt.

These struggles had taken a toll on her, causing her to feel disenchanted with her dreams and prompting her to take a prolonged break from the spotlight.

"What no one tells you is like a good cake, Hollywood is layered. Sure, it sparkles. And is super fun. But there’s also so much pressure to make it big," said Strawberry Shortcake.

She said that becoming Strawberry Shortcake had been a transformative experience and reminded her of the joy and passion that drove her to pursue her dreams. The pressure to advance to the finale was palpable, but she was determined to savor every moment, as her experience on The Masked Singer was exhilarating.

The group Buffalos were the next to perform on the latest episode of The Masked Singer. They sang the song Africa by Toto and in their voiceover, they said that as they approached the finale, they were proud and felt accomplished.

Despite facing criticism and doubt, they remained true to themselves, setting a positive example for their children. They said that their kids' passion for singing invigorated them and gave them a new sense of purpose.

As devoted fathers, they made decisions keeping their children's well-being in mind. Their love and dedication to their children drove their actions, and they were determined to make them proud.

The panel had made several guesses as to who the group could be and guessed that they could have been B2K, Earth Wind and Fire, 98 Degrees, or Bell Biv DeVoe. The other guesses included 112, Boyz II Men, Big Time Rush, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Black Eyed Peas, Temptations, Tony! Toni! Toné!, and Blackstreet.

The final performance of The Masked Singer came from Wasp who performed Beautiful Things, by Benson Boone. In the voiceover, the contestant revealed that embodying the Wasp had unleashed a newfound sense of empowerment within him. He added that it tapped into a fiercely competitive streak he hadn't felt since childhood.

"I never felt so powerful. It’s brought out this supercompetitive edge in me that honestly, I haven’t felt since I was a kid," stated Wasp.

His mother had encouraged him to pursue a talent show opportunity, which led to a life-changing encounter with an industry mogul. As the Wasp, he felt a renewed sense of hunger and determination. Despite the competition, he was resolute in his pursuit of victory, driven by an unyielding ambition to claim the coveted golden mask.

The Masked Singer host Nick Cannon announced that Wasp had secured the first spot in the finale, following an extremely close live audience vote. He also revealed that the two remaining contestants would compete in the "Smack Royale."

The Buffalos and Strawberry Shortcake performed OneRepublic's song Counting Stars. Ultimately, the Buffalos emerged victorious and Strawberry Shortcake was eliminated. Strawberry Shortcake was revealed to be AJ Michalka.

---

Catch the finale of The Masked Singer on December 11 at 8 pm on Fox.