Exciting Showdown: Buffalos, Strawberry Shortcake, and Wasp Compete in The Masked Singer Semi-Finals!
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour may have concluded, but the spirit of camaraderie was alive during the The Masked Singer semi-finals. The panelists discovered surprising connections with the three finalists, enhancing the emotional stakes of the competition as they celebrated shared experiences and fond memories, creating a vibrant atmosphere of friendship.
Throughout the season, Buffalos, Strawberry Shortcake, and Wasp have captivated audiences with breathtaking performances that showcase their immense talent. Each contestant has delivered moments filled with emotional vulnerability, coupled with powerful vocals that resonated with viewers. Their journey has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, making the semi-finals a culmination of their hard work and dedication.
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In a thrilling display of talent, the finalists saved their most impressive performances for the semi-finals. With the stakes higher than ever, they delivered stunning renditions that had the audience on the edge of their seats. Although Rita Ora was unable to attend due to illness, she is eagerly anticipated for the grand finale where all the excitement will culminate!
In a stunning turn of events, the results revealed the closest voting margins in the history of the show, with Nick Cannon indicating a difference of less than one percentage point. This nail-biting suspense left everyone wondering which contestant would face elimination from the competition.
Who gave their all only to be sent home just before the finale? And did our esteemed panel of experts manage to guess correctly? The only way to find out is to keep watching and see how this thrilling saga unfolds!
Let’s dive straight into this week’s performances! But before we get to the shocking unmasking(s), let’s revisit some of the hilarious (and occasionally insightful) guesses made by our beloved panelists: Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, and Ken Jeong. We do this because we love to keep you on your toes!

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Top Highlights: The Best of the Season
(“Some Nights,” Fun.) The evening kicked off with an electrifying performance from the remaining contestants. With five voices blending together, the sound was fuller than ever. Strawberry Shortcake showcased her strength as the only female performer amidst a sea of male voices, while Wasp demonstrated his prowess as a solo male artist. The Buffalos, already a powerhouse group known for their incredible harmonies, delivered an unforgettable solo moment that further elevated the competition, setting the stage for an evening filled with fierce rivalry and emotional reveals.
ROUND 1: The Semi-Final Performances
Strawberry Shortcake Takes Center Stage
(“Lose You to Love Me,” Selena Gomez) Strawberry Shortcake may have had a slight tilt to her mask tonight, but her performance was a heartfelt journey. Every note conveyed deep emotion, captivating the audience from the very first sound. This song is particularly challenging because it requires raw vulnerability, yet Strawberry Shortcake owned it with confidence, grace, and stunning vocal clarity.
Clues & Guesses: In her semi-finals clue package, Strawberry Shortcake reflected on her journey, noting that sometimes one must step back to rediscover their dreams, as she faced pressures and self-doubt early in her career. After taking a significant break, she has rediscovered her passion for music and is ready to shine once more.
When asked about her journey, she expressed, “I’ve discovered that I’m resilient and strong, and I’m just so happy to be on this stage.” She acknowledged the panel for their supportive words, emphasizing that this experience has reaffirmed her belief that the spotlight is exactly where she is meant to be.
Her on-stage Friendship Bracelet revealed a special connection to Ken with the message “Press Tour.” She shared, “One of the highlights of my career was the press tour we did together. You made me laugh all day long.”
In the quarterfinals, Strawberry Shortcake made it known that she usually doesn’t undertake such challenges alone. She is proud of herself for taking time for personal growth, even when her busy family and friends served as a motivation. She emphasized that she had always been part of a “package deal,” which made this solo endeavor thrilling and transformative.

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“Hey sis, you are absolutely crushing it, and I’m so proud of you,” was a heartfelt clue from her phone call. “It has been incredible to witness your growth over time, and remember, I’m always with you, no matter what. Show the world what you’re capable of, because I know you can do it. Your nephew and I are rooting for you!”
Last week’s clue package focused on her bond with her mother, reminiscing about their holiday singing sessions while baking. Now, however, stage fright has silenced her mother’s voice, and Strawberry Shortcake hopes this journey will inspire her mother to sing again.
She also mentioned her opportunity to perform in a Thanksgiving parade, along with visual clues like a pen featuring musical notes, a cow in a ballet costume, and a stagecoach with horses. Her on-stage clue was a pair of novelty mouse ears, which she explained as instrumental in her journey to success, reminding everyone of the iconic Disney legacy.
Last week’s package highlighted her connections to Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus, emphasizing how they shared similar dreams and faced similar challenges as they grew up under the public eye. She noted how both of them leaned on each other during their personal journeys through heartbreak.
Visually, the clues included an apple, a “Banana Montana” clapperboard that she tossed into the air from a director’s chair, and a shooting star. Her on-stage clue was a pair of red boxing gloves, one adorned with a blonde wig and the other with a marijuana leaf, indicating her inspirations and friendships in the industry.

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Season 7’s Ringmaster, Haley Orrantia, introduced her friend as Strawberry Shortcake’s Masked Ambassador, calling her “a pageant favorite.” She shared how they were together through some of Haley’s biggest milestones, showcasing the bond of friendship.
Speaking on her own behalf, Strawberry Shortcake revealed that she has always dreamed of headlining a major music festival but often found herself sidelined. However, she finally received the call to open “one of the most iconic festivals.” She described that day as both sweet and a “slow burn,” but ultimately worth the wait.
Throughout the show, visual clues included bright sunglasses, a playful kitten, rainbows, hearts, Instagram photos, mushrooms, and an ice cream cone. On stage, her t-shirt read “Break a Leg,” which she remarked, “My breakthrough role showcased my potential to the world.”
With a new friendship bracelet, Ken speculated that his connection with Strawberry Shortcake may have been from a Hangover movie promotion tour where he met Joey King. Meanwhile, Jenny considered Sarah Hyland, who has previously demonstrated her singing abilities. Robin guessed Lucy Hale, linking back to promotional tours for Ken’s Dr. Ken show.
However, none of these guesses align perfectly with all of the clues. The mouse ears and cow imagery connect to the Disney Channel original movie Cow Belles, which marked the debut for Aly and her sister — our favorite guess being AJ Michalka.
The kitten suggests her role as Catra in She-Ra and her collaboration with Aly on Hellcats. Additionally, AJ dated one of the JoBros (Joe, in fact), further supporting this theory. Not to mention, the Hannah Montana connection, where it’s noted that Aly was offered that role prior to Miley securing it while AJ was offered the role of Lilly Truscott.
Moreover, we cannot overlook last week’s clues highlighting that she’s now an aunt. Aly recently welcomed her son on April 21 of this year, making AJ Michalka a proud new aunt!

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Buffalos Bring Their A-Game
(“Africa,” Toto) Buffalos capitalized on their harmonies to create a memorable performance, incorporating ad-libs and flourishes throughout the chorus. Always a fan favorite, they stayed true to the original’s spirit while infusing their performance with powerful vocals and impressive harmonies. Their intelligent arrangement highlighted their talents and built to a thrilling crescendo, leaving the audience both satisfied and craving more.
Clues & Guesses: During the semi-finals, Buffalos paid tribute to their children, proudly stating that they sing even better than they do. They pondered whether their kids perform together, reflecting on their early career challenges and how staying true to themselves has allowed them to serve as role models for the next generation.
Having previously discussed their deep bond, Nick asked what they would say to one another. One Buffalo responded, “First, I’d say, never in a










