Unmasking the mystery: Season 12 of “The Masked Singer” begins with a bang

A surprising start to the season

Season 12 of “The Masked Singer” kicked off with a thrilling premiere on September 25, featuring a mix of unexpected reveals and captivating performances. The first celebrity to be unmasked was none other than football legend John Elway, who performed under the guise of the Leaf Sheep. Elway, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos, surprised everyone with his rendition of Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It.”

Panelists’ guesses and the big reveal

The panelists had a tough time guessing the identity of the Leaf Sheep. Ken Jeong correctly identified Elway, while Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg guessed Tom Brady, Robin Thicke thought it was Troy Aikman, and Rita Ora speculated it was Billy Bob Thornton. Elway’s performance and the subsequent reveal set a high bar for the rest of the season.

A star-studded introduction

The season premiere was introduced by William Shatner, who reminisced about the 186 celebrities who have graced the stage over the past 11 seasons. Rita Ora then performed a remixed version of Men At Work’s “Who Can It Be Now?” to set the tone for the evening. Returning to the panel were Nick Cannon as host, alongside Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke, and Rita Ora, who filled in for Nicole Scherzinger for the second consecutive season.

Exciting themes and new twists

This season promises a variety of themed episodes, including tributes to Mattel’s Barbie for its 65th anniversary, the 40th anniversary of the film “Footloose,” and an episode dedicated to Miley Cyrus’s music catalog. Other themes include “Who Are You Fest,” featuring music from memorable festival lineups, “Sports Night,” and “60’s Night.” Returning themes include “Soundtrack of My Life” and “Thanksgiving Night.”

Innovative clues and celebrity ambassadors

New this season, clues are strategically embedded in costumes, song choices, and on-stage moments. Each of the 15 celebrity contestants is endorsed by a “celebrity Masked Ambassador,” a group of previous participants including Dick Van Dyke, Jewel, Ne-Yo, and DeMarcus Ware. This adds an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to the guessing game.

Meet the contestants

The premiere episode featured performances from several contestants, each bringing their unique flair to the stage.

Buffalo

Song: “(I Just) Died In Your Arms” by Cutting Crew
Panel guesses: B2K, Earth Wind and Fire, 98 Degrees
Ambassador: Nick Lachey (Piglet, Season 5)
Gift Clue: Crown

Woodpecker

Song: “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
Panel guesses: Willow Smith, Cardi B, Halle Bailey, Keke Palmer
Ambassador: Jenifer Lewis (Miss Cleocatra, Season 11)
Gift Clue: “World Record”

Leaf Sheep

Song: “I Like It, I Love It” by Tim McGraw
Panel guesses: Tom Brady, John Elway, Troy Aikman
Ambassador: DeMarcus Ware (Koala, Season 11)
Gift Clue: “Hall of Fame” trophy

Showbird

Song: “Just Fine” by Mary J. Blige
Panel guesses: Jennifer Hudson, Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington
Ambassador: Joel McHale (Previous guest panelist)
Gift Clue: Popcorn

The Ship

Song: “Pompeii” by Bastille
Panel guesses: Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osbourne, Enya, Sarah McLachlan
Ambassador: Jewel (Queen of Hearts, Season 6)
Gift Clue: Sparkly cowboy hat

Looking back at last season

Last season saw Vanessa Hudgens take the crown as Goldfish, beating out Scott Porter, who performed as Gumball. Other notable performers included Thelma Houston, Chrissy Metz, Corey Feldman, and Clay Aiken/Ruben Studdard. The diverse lineup showcased the wide range of talent that “The Masked Singer” attracts.

Behind the scenes

“The Masked Singer” is produced by Fox Alternative Entertainment, with Rosie Seitchik, Craig Plestis, and Nick Cannon serving as executive producers. The series is based on a South Korean format created by Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp.

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