SPOILER ALERT: Key details about Season 12, Episode 12 of “The Masked Singer,” titled “Finale: Champion Is Topped,” which aired on Wednesday, December 18 on Fox.

As we reach the end of this thrilling journey, we can’t help but feel nostalgic. On this unforgettable finale, Motownphilly’s finest are back: Boyz II Men, performing as the Buffalo, triumphed in Season 12 of Fox’s “The Masked Singer.” While it’s tough to bid farewell to yesterday, their victory marks a historic moment, making Boyz II Men the very first group ever to take home the coveted masked trophy. Their win shines brightly in the show’s legacy.

In a fierce competition, Boyz II Men emerged victorious over Mario, who performed as the Wasp, securing the runner-up position this season. The panelists unanimously agreed that the Buffalo was indeed Boyz II Men, confirming their identity with remarkable precision. Meanwhile, panelists Rita Ora and Robin Thicke correctly identified Mario as the Wasp, while Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg guessed Jason Derulo, and Ken Jeong speculated that it could be Usher. The excitement and guesses added to the suspense of the finale.

Wanyá Morris of Boyz II Men shared with Variety that the group had been approached multiple times to participate in “The Masked Singer.” However, due to scheduling conflicts, it was challenging for them to commit until now. The allure of the competition was too strong to resist, and they finally decided to take the plunge and showcase their talents on this unique platform.

Morris recounted a significant moment when he contracted COVID, which added to their challenges. “We realized they weren’t going to stop asking us to join,” he explained. “So we made the decision to participate.” This determination reflects their commitment to their fans and the desire to entertain despite the hurdles they faced along the way.

Initially, the group planned to disguise their voices to be eliminated early, allowing them to enjoy some time off without the pressure of performing. However, once they arrived and experienced the caliber of talent in the competition, they were captivated by the vibrant atmosphere. The energy and excitement led them to consider staying in the competition longer than they had initially anticipated, leading to their eventual victory.

Despite the excitement, Nathan Morris pointed out the challenges posed by the heavy costumes. “They’re cumbersome and hot, making it tough to breathe,” he noted. “Visibility is limited to what’s directly in front of you, and even that can be distant. The hardest part for us was managing the microphone, which sits atop the mascot suit, making it tricky to control our vocal inflections.” This experience presented a steep learning curve for the talented group.

For their final performances, Boyz II Men delivered powerful renditions of “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye and “Too Good At Goodbyes” by Sam Smith. Throughout the season, they showcased an impressive range of songs, including “(I Just) Died In Your Arms” by Cutting Crew, “Waiting For a Girl Like You” by Foreigner, “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve, “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain, and “Africa” by Toto, highlighting their versatility as artists.

The group expressed interest in incorporating some of these songs into their future performance repertoire. “Each song allowed us to demonstrate that we are more than just R&B singers, which is a perception we’ve always wanted to change,” Shawn Stockman stated. “It gave us a chance to explore different genres without fear of being seen as uncool. We listen to R&B, pop, rock, and various other styles in our personal time. This experience has been a rare opportunity to showcase that diversity throughout our careers.”

The finals kicked off with a captivating performance from Season 5 winner Nick Lachey, who sang “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams, setting a festive tone for the grand finale. The excitement in the air was palpable as fans anticipated the evening’s events.

Boyz II Men as the Buffalo and Mario as the Wasp joined an impressive lineup of contestants this season, including AJ Michalka as Strawberry Shortcake, Kobie Turner as Goo, Jana Kramer as Royal Knight, Bronson Arroyo as Sherlock Hound, Drake Bell as Ice King, Bethany Hamilton as Macaron, Natalie Imbruglia as Bluebell, Laverne Cox as Chess Piece, Andy Richter as Dusty Bunny, Paula Cole as Ship, Marsai Martin as Woodpecker, Yvette Nicole Brown as Showbird, and John Elway as Leaf Sheep. Each celebrity added their unique flair to “The Masked Singer” Season 12.

Returning for Season 12 were host Nick Cannon and panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Robin Thicke. Rita Ora also returned to the panel for her second consecutive season, stepping in for Nicole Scherzinger, enhancing the dynamic of the show with her insights and commentary.

This season of “The Masked Singer” featured themed episodes that celebrated significant milestones, including tributes to Mattel’s Barbie for its 65th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of the film “Footloose.” Miley Cyrus was honored with a dedicated episode featuring her music catalog. New themes such as “Who Are You Fest,” highlighting memorable festival lineups, along with “Sports Night” and “60’s Night,” added fresh excitement to the season. Returning favorites included “Soundtrack of My Life” and “Thanksgiving Night.”

This season introduced new clues that were strategically embedded in costumes, song choices, and on-stage moments, enhancing the mystery and engagement for viewers. The fifteen celebrity contestants were supported by a “celebrity Masked Ambassador” made up of previous participants, including Dick Van Dyke (Season 9’s Gnome), Jewel (Season 6 winner as the Queen of Hearts), Ne-Yo (Season 10 winner as the Cow), and DeMarcus Ware (Season 11’s Koala). The returning “Ding Dong Keep It On” bell allowed for a thrilling twist, enabling one singer during the group finals to be saved.

Season 12 showcased an exciting array of 15 contestants with new costumes, including “Ship,” “Leaf Sheep,” “Woodpecker,” “Chess Piece,” “Bluebell,” “Buffalo,” “Showbird,” “Dust Bunny,” “Goo,” “Strawberry Shortcake,” “Wasp,” “Sherlock Hound,” “Royal Knight,” “Ice King,” and “Macaron.” These creative costumes brought added flair and intrigue to every performance, captivating the audience.

Here are the performances from Wednesday’s Episode 12, “Finale: Champion Is Topped”:

WINNER: Buffalo – Boyz II Men

Performance Tracks: “Somebody That I Used to Know,” by Gotye; “Too Good At Goodbyes,” by Sam Smith

Panel Speculations: Boyz II Men, Bell Biv DeVoe, Tony! Toni! Toné!

Emotional Release as Buffalo: “It’s incredibly liberating. I’m in tears right now, and I don’t even fully understand why. This experience has shown me that with my team, we can achieve anything together.”

Buffalo’s Voiceover Reflection: “Making it to the finale has been an emotional journey for us. It has given us a chance to rediscover our identity and strengthen our bond in ways we never expected. Throughout our careers, we have faced numerous challenges, including the loss of a key member and the need to adapt our sound. This journey is for our fans, our children, and everyone who has supported us along the way. Thank you, Nick Lachey, for believing in us as our ambassador. We hope to follow in your footsteps tonight. We will always be the somebodies you used to know, and we aim to be relevant for the next three decades.”

Previous Performances: “(I Just) Died In Your Arms,” by Cutting Crew; “Waiting For a Girl Like You,” by Foreigner; “Bittersweet Symphony,” by The Verve; “You’re Still the One,” by Shania Twain; “Africa,” by Toto.

Previous Panel Guesses: B2K, Earth Wind and Fire, 98 Degrees, Bell Biv DeVoe, 112, Boyz II Men, Big Time Rush, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Black Eyed Peas, The Temptations, Tony! Toni! Toné!, Blackstreet, Color Me Badd, After 7.

Runner-Up: Wasp – Mario

Performance Tracks: “When I Was Your Man,” by Bruno Mars; “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” by Whitney Houston

Panel Speculations: Daveed Diggs, Usher, Bruno Mars, Frank Ocean, Jason Derulo, Taye Diggs, Miguel, Mario, Anthony Ramos.

Message to Young Wasp: “Your wings represent your instincts. Trust in them and believe in yourself.”

Wasp’s Voiceover Reflection: “Reaching the finale signifies more to me than words can express. This journey feels tailor-made for me, providing the recognition I’ve longed for. For years, I’ve felt underrated in this industry. I started building my empire at a young age, achieving success on the Billboard charts and collaborating with some of the best in the business, including several Masked Singer alumni. Though I still feel overlooked at times, this experience has allowed me to be celebrated anonymously, which feels incredibly genuine. As the Wasp, I’ve showcased my power and vulnerability, and the acknowledgment I’ve received has inspired me to soar. I can feel my mother’s spirit with me tonight, and I hope she is proud. Winning this trophy would mean the world to show that her child can achieve greatness.”

Previous Performances: “Rock Your Body,” by Justin Timberlake; “Skyscraper,” by Demi Lovato; “Ain’t No Way,” by Aretha Franklin; “Standing Next to You,” by Jungkook; “Beautiful Things,” by Benson Boone.

Previous Panel Guesses: Taye Diggs, Bruno Mars, Jason Derulo, Miguel, Frank Ocean, Daveed Diggs, Mario, Craig David, Eric Benét, Usher, Maxwell, Anthony Ramos.

Last season’s performers included Vanessa Hudgens, who claimed the Season 11 crown as Goldfish, outperforming Scott Porter as Gumball. Other notable performers included Thelma Houston (Clock), Chrissy Metz (Poodle Moth), Corey Feldman (Seal), Clay Aiken/Ruben Studdard (Beets), Jenifer Lewis (Miss Cleocatra), Kate Flannery (Starfish), Charlie Wilson (Ugly Sweater), DeMarcus Ware (Koala), Colton Underwood (Love Bird), Sisqó (Lizard), Billy Bush (Sir Lion), Joe Bastianich (Spaghetti & Meatballs), Savannah Chrisley (Afghan Hound), and Kevin Hart (Book).

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