There isn’t a Ding-Dong-Maintain-It-On Bell — as that was already used to save lots of Goo — so there was no time to be pleased about the actual fact they’d made all of it the best way to the Group C Finals. It was do or die — or at the least, do or get unmasked in entrance of all of America.

As within the earlier rounds, Season 12 has actually been delivering with the expertise. There aren’t any horrible singers left, so Royal Knight, Sherlock Hound, and Strawberry Shortcake had been actually going to want to dig deep and pull out two successful performances.

As with the earlier Group Finals, one masks was eradicated instantly after the primary spherical of competitors, with the remaining two tackling the identical tune in an epic Battle Royale to find out the ultimate winner.

Who did sufficient to face out, and which two well-known faces had been revealed? And did Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang encourage them to new heights, or go away any person (or somebodies) saying, “Good grief!”

Let’s leap proper in with this week’s masks. And don’t be concerned, earlier than we get to the stunning unmasking(s), we’ll make you energy by means of the horrible (and sometimes good) guesses made by our illustrious panel of Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong and Rita Ora first. We do that as a result of we love … to torture you.

(“You Make My Desires Come True,” Daryl Corridor & John Oates) Robin coming in to point out how a falsetto is finished, really sounding much more pure on these excessive notes than Rita in her pure register. All in all, although, they each sounded nice and had been clearly having enjoyable kicking off the evening. We’re unsure the connection between the tune and Thanksgiving (or Peanuts), however we’ll let it cross as a result of it left us smiling and feeling the love … and that is ok!

(“I Hope You Dance,” Lee Ann Womack) Strawberry Shortcake sang this tune to her mom, hoping to encourage her to take again up singing. The mission of her efficiency got here by means of because the emotion was palpable, with out fully overtaking her unimaginable vocal prowess and vary. From delicate strains to belting refrain, Strawberry Shortcake gave one of many season’s strongest performances … one which’s going to be onerous to beat!

Clues & Guesses: As hinted at above, her newest clue bundle was all about her connection along with her mom, sharing that they used to sing on the tops of their lungs for the vacations whereas baking. Now, although, stage fright has stolen her mom’s voice, and it is Strawberry Shortcake’s hope that this journey will encourage her mom to sing once more.

She additionally talked about having had a possibility to seem in a Thanksgiving parade, whereas we noticed a pen with musical notes on it, a cow in a ballet costume, and a stagecoach with horse. Her on-stage clue was novelty mouse ears, to which she defined, “Mouse ears had been instrumental in how I acquired my begin.” And naturally, you’ll be able to’t say “mouse ears” with out excited about Disney.

Final week’s bundle was all about her connections to Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus, together with that they shared the identical desires, attacked them the identical approach, grew up in entrance of the world, and even shared a stage at one level. She mentioned the duo even leaned on each other after hobnobbing with the identical brothers, and breaking their hearts.

Visually, we acquired an apple, a “Banana Montana” clapperboard after she threw a script within the air from a director’s chair, and a capturing star. Her on-stage clue was a pair of crimson boxing gloves, one with a blonde wig and the opposite a marijuana leaf. “Miley has all the time been in my nook. She was even by my aspect once I made my debut,” Strawberry Shortcake defined.

Season 7’s Ringmaster, Haley Orrantia, launched her good friend as Strawberry Shortcake’s Masked Ambassador, calling her “a competition favourite.” She shared they have been collectively by means of a few of Haley’s “largest milestones,” too.

Talking for herself, Strawberry Shortcake mentioned that she’d all the time dreamed of performing in an enormous music competition as a headliner, however needed to accept sitting on the sidelines. That’s, till she acquired the decision to open “some of the iconic ones.” She referred to as that day each candy and a “sluggish burn,” however definitely worth the wait.

Visible clues all through included sunny sun shades, a kitten, rainbows, hearts, Instagram photos, mushrooms, and an ice cream cone. On stage, her t-shirt learn “Break a Leg,” to which she added, “My breakthrough position confirmed the world my potential.”

Robin was laughing at his personal dad pun-nery when he considered the cow in a ballerina costume and tutu by guessing Kelsea Ballerini. Rita Ora thought-about that she’s in all probability younger, throwing out Hailee Steinfeld, whereas Ken supplied up an excellent worse guess in in Selena Gomez.

The web’s favourite guess, although, additionally suits these clues extraordinarily properly. Actually, you’ll be able to tie each the mouse ears and the cow to the Disney Channel unique movie Cow Belles, which was the debut for Aly & AJ Michalka.

Earlier clues additionally match, with the kitten suggesting each her Catra position on She-Ra and her position with sister Aly on Hellcats. Plus, AJ completely dated one of many JoBros (Joe, the truth is), in order that vibe additionally is sensible. Oh, and that Hannah Montana connection may very well be that she has mentioned sister Aly was supplied that position earlier than Miley landed it, whereas she was supplied the position of Lilly Truscott.

(“Vacation,” Madonna) Royal Knight did not actually problem herself with this tune, and the supply was simply so-so due to that. She seemed like somebody who kills it at karaoke, however did not actually show any of the artistry we have seen in earlier outings. This was not what she wanted to do if she needs to emerge victorious in these finals.

Clues & Guesses: Her Thanksgiving clues targeted on her three youngsters, together with her latest who can be having fun with his first. She talked about being judged and ridiculed her complete life amid all of the struggles she’s endured, however now she’s lastly dwelling her fortunately ever after along with her children.

Visible photos included a wine bottle with a mic (podcast?), a boomerang, and an “It is a Boy” child onesie. Her on-stage clue was a “Greatest Promoting Writer” e book. “I act, I sing, I stay my life to the fullest, and I even wrote a bestselling e book all about it,” mentioned Royal Knight.

The most recent clue bundle was all about Royal Knight struggling by means of the darkness of unhealthy relationships — and blaming herself alongside the best way — till her personal knight in shining armor helped convey her out of that darkness. She by no means gave up on love and now has discovered her north star, who sarcastically (contemplating the costume) calls her his “warrior.”

Visible clues included a slashed purple banner of a flaming coronary heart, a fall bouquet, sundown seashore, gumball machine, and a set of crimson scrubs. Her on-stage clue was a freeway signal for Nashville, which she defined, “Effectively, identical to ‘Get together within the USA,’ Miley and I might each favor a Nashville occasion.”

In her first week, Royal Knight was tied to Season 11’s Afghan Hound, Savannah Chrisley, as her Masked Ambassador. Savannah referred to as her the “hardest girl I do know” and “one of many fiercest associates that I’ve.”

Royal Knight then opened up about her her desires of a fairy story life turned as a substitute into “heartbreak and terror” round each nook. She mentioned she needed to study to place layers of armor on to guard herself, and he or she additionally needed to break freed from “you and I” and study to be okay with simply “me.”

She mentioned that she’s now over “castles or kings,” as long as she’s giving “important character power.” Visible clues within the bundle included a crimson dragon (to “sleigh), butterflies, a glass slipper, storybooks, inexperienced bushes, a TV distant, and a gold megaphone emblazoned with “The T.”

On stage, her t-shirt learn “Able to Sleigh.” Royal Knight defined, “Regardless of the season, I’m all the time able to ‘sleigh’ the competitors.”

Rita thought-about the podcast-looking mic and the e book and the fortunately ever after to guess the recently-remarried Anna Faris. Robin learn the clues to Busy Philipps, however it was Jenny McCarthy who out of the blue discovered herself excited about the web’s favourite guess, Jana Kramer.

The One Tree Hill alum has been a well-liked guess on-line, and definitely can declare the title of multi-hyphenate with seven charted singles on the Sizzling Nation Songs charts. She gave beginning to her third youngster in November 2023, making him nearly the correct age to be having fun with his first Thanksgiving tastes.

Becoming in with discuss of a tumultuous life journey, Jana’s actually been by means of so much on the romance aspect, with conditions involving home abuse and infidelity throughout three earlier marriages, earlier than discovering her present husband, Allan Russell. Oh and he or she unpacked all of this with Savannah Chrisley on the latter’s podcast and her bestselling e book The Subsequent Chapter.

(“Ho Hey,” The Lumineers) Sherlock Hound sounded so cool and assured on this observe and we appreciated how he combined up the standard melody a bit so as to add some private touches and make it extra his personal. He has such a wealthy tone to his voice, it goes down the ear canals so easily. This wasn’t a groundbreaking or highly effective efficiency, however a really robust one nonetheless. Sufficient to win the evening? Not by itself, we would wager!

Clues & Guesses: For Peanuts Evening, Sherlock Hound talked about a lifetime of new beginnings, of which he is had just a few each skilled and personally. He talked about his first profession having a built-in expiration date, which actually suits {most professional} athletes. He held up an “On Strike!” signal throughout this declaration, which may very well be a baseball trace, and even check with the basketball strike of 1994-95 that canceled the World Sequence.

He went on to speak about how he realized new tips, displaying an Ace of Diamonds card with a globe on it, and the way he by no means actually had a house till he discovered his new “gal,” as house is now wherever she is. Different visible clues included oven mitts and crimson pearls.

But once more, Sherlock Hound was giving all of the baseball star clues, with discuss of breaking a century-long clue this week in his new bundle. He tied to to his wilder and youthful days when he was identified for being “free-spirited and enjoyable.” Actually, of that curse, he says he “single-handedly” broke it, earlier than reinventing himself later. Athlete turned musician?

On the visible aspect, we acquired a glass of candy tea with an unlimited, overflowing container of sugar cubes subsequent to it, paw prints going up crimson slide, and a bull. We then acquired a Miley Cyrus clue within the type of an extended, blonde wig. “Hannah Montana’s not the one one with beautiful lengthy hair,” he defined.

Another excuse we suspect a famous person athlete is as a result of Rhino (AKA Barry Zito) is Sherlock Hound’s Masked Ambassador, which is a fairly large trace issues may go that approach. There have been additionally plenty of baseball hints all through.

Barry mentioned they’d shared “among the finest jam classes ever,” whereas Sherlock Hound shared that he was surrounded by music rising up, suggesting he realized cello, however would have slightly been exterior taking part in. His grandmother taught music whereas his father performed piano.

He mentioned it was rock music that “unleashed a ardour” he then pursued. All through, visible clues included a crimson guitar, an eye fixed patch, and a diamond file, whereas on stage we noticed “#1 Hit” on his competition t-shirt. “I do know what it’s prefer to be primary on this planet,” he instructed, which may check with a sports activities championship as a lot as any musical achievement.

Robin thought-about a rock-and-roll star, however could not resist the pull of all these sports activities and baseball hints. Aside from the voice, there’s actually nothing tying him to that traditional rocker vibe, however there are many issues tying him to America’s Pastime, baseball. Even Ken was feeling it!

Rita admitted figuring out nothing about baseball, which may very well be why she ignored all these clues to guess Pink Sizzling Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis. Jenny, too, stayed within the rocker lane with Creed’s Scott Stapp. However Robin and Ken had been undoubtedly heading in the right direction.

Sherlock Hound virtually gave it away final week when he informed Jenny her husband, Donnie Wahlberg, loves him, because the Boston native in fact loves his Pink Sox and their iconic superstars.

Stars like Bronson Arroyo, who helped them break the Curse of the Bambino by beating the St. Louis Cardinals within the 2004 World Sequence. He then went on to even larger success with the Cincinatti Reds, together with his first All-Star Sport and Gold Glove.

A baseball profession has an apparent expiration date, which is why in 2005, Bronson launched his debut album, Protecting the Bases. He is been the web’s favourite guess since his first look, and we’re feeling it increasingly with every passing clue!

With Strawberry Shortcake completely making it to the Battle Royale, we discovered ourselves taking a look at Royal Knight and Sherlock Hound for this primary elimination. In the end, Sherlock Hound has been giving us extra all through the previous few weeks, and even injected a few of his personal inventive imaginative and prescient into tonight’s efficiency.

Royal Knight did not try this, so she was our decide to go first … as a result of we suspected he’d be proper behind her. The viewers agreed with at the least the primary half of our prediction, sending Royal Knight to the primary unmasking of the evening.

• Robin Thicke: Busy Philipps
• Jenny McCarthy: Jana Kramer
• Ken Jeong: Kelly Ripa
• Rita Ora: Anna Faris

Ken’s guess got here out of left area, and undoubtedly would not match with the clue about having a brand new child celebrating their first Thanksgiving this yr. However, we will respect that he put some additional thought in it and tried a brand new guess … even when it was simply as horrible as his earlier efforts.

Jenny was in step with what we have been considering, as so lots of the clues match and Jenny could be very in tune with that popular culture world. So it was no actual shock when it was certainly Jana Kramer underneath that masks, culminating a troublesome interval in her life with the enjoyment of participating in a present constructed on positivity, and pleasure.

(“Shivers,” Ed Sheeran) Sherlock Hound introduced just a little growl and a whole lot of soul to his take, getting the viewers revved up instantly. He undoubtedly felt relaxed on the observe and within the vary, providing little variance to the way it was initially recorded. However that silky voice is simply so clean and cozy, we discovered ourselves nodding alongside.

Strawberry Shortcake was in a distinct realm from what she’s carried out for with a male singer-songwriter vibe, however it did not even sluggish her down. She twisted the tune up, making it her personal from the primary observe. She took benefit of a larger vary to actually punch among the lyrics and confirmed nice variance and vary. The place was that in her first efficiency?

The distinction is a gifted craftsman and an artist. Strawberry Shortcake is engaged on one other degree to Sherlock Hound. This can be his first pivot after one other profession (in all probability in baseball), however that is clearly the place her coronary heart and keenness lies, and has lived most of her life.

It wasn’t even shut in our eyes — so no Ding-Dong-Maintain-It-On Bell regrets, as it is not accessible anymore. There is just one proper reply after tonight and that’s to have fun a Strawberry Shortcake victory. The panel reached the identical conclusion, sending Sherlock Hound residence.

• Robin Thicke: Bronson Arroyo
• Jenny McCarthy: Scott Stapp
• Ken Jeong: Bronson Arroyo
• Rita Ora: Hozier

Baseball followers who pay any consideration to what their favourite athletes do after they retire from the diamond had been already listening to his distinctive voice, however props to Robin and Ken for additionally getting it proper as Bronson Arroyo was revealed.

If the Cincinatti Reds Corridor of Famer’s objective was to come back out and show to trendy audiences that this chapter of his life was each bit as significant and highly effective as his first chapter, then he did a fairly good job. His tone would sit very, very properly on trendy nation music radio stations, and even in that singer-songwriter vibe.

The Masked Singer heads into the Quarterfinals and strikes again to its common evening subsequent Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.