Season 12 of *The Masked Singer* has unveiled its Group A contestants, amid ongoing criticism over Nicole Scherzinger’s absence from the judging panel. Returning to the show are host Nick Cannon and panelists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, with Rita Ora stepping in once again to fill Nicole’s spot. Rita previously substituted for Nicole in season 11 while Nicole was performing as Norma Desmond in London’s West End production of *Sunset Boulevard*.
The contestants in Group A for *The Masked Singer* season 12 include Buffalo, Leaf Sheep, Showbird, Woodpecker, and Ship.
Nicole will also not be part of *The Masked Singer* season 12 due to her commitments with transferring *Sunset Boulevard* to Broadway and her new role in the Netflix series *Building The Band*. With Rita’s return, the show introduces its new contestants. An Instagram post by *The Masked Singer* revealed photos of Group A, following an earlier post in August 2024 that teased fans with a crossword puzzle hinting at the characters’ identities. The Group A contestants are now unveiled as Buffalo, Leaf Sheep, Showbird, Woodpecker, and Ship.
Implications of the Group A Lineup for *The Masked Singer* Season 12
#### Costumes: Vibrant, Inventive, & Packed with Clues
*The Masked Singer* has declared that season 12 contains a record number of clues, cleverly concealed within the costumes. This means that the identities of Buffalo, Leaf Sheep, Showbird, Woodpecker, and Ship might be hidden in plain sight. The Group A lineup boasts some of the show’s most inventive costumes, such as the notably large Leaf Sheep, which could potentially contain multiple individuals, and the elaborate Ship.
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Ship’s inaugural performance has been shared by *The Masked Singer* on YouTube. She delivers an impressive, slowed-down rendition of “Pompeii” by Bastille, highlighting her remarkable vocal range. Fans have already started speculating about her identity, with guesses ranging from Annie Lennox to Paula Cole to Cher. Ship’s enchanting performance and impressive vocals have already set a high bar for the season.
Our Perspective on *The Masked Singer* Season 12 Group A Contestants
#### Exquisite Costumes in Group A
The costumes for Group A of *The Masked Singer* are truly stunning. From the vibrantly colored Showbird to the refined grace of Woodpecker, the costume designers have truly excelled. However, it’s not just about the costumes dazzling the audience; the talent inside them must shine as well. Ship is already favored to win, making it thrilling to see if the other contestants can match her.
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Season 12 of *The Masked Singer* is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. Themed nights have been announced, including Miley Cyrus, Barbie, *Footloose*, Sports, the ’60s, Thanksgiving, Soundtrack Of My Life, and Who Are You Fest Night, featuring music from iconic festival lineups. For the first time, the season will feature Masked Ambassadors, former contestants with special ties to the new participants. Group A contestants of *The Masked Singer* season 12 are set to launch the show, and fans are eager to guess their identities.
*The Masked Singer* season 12 premieres on Wednesday, September 25, at 8 p.m. EDT on FOX.
Sources: *The Masked Singer*/Instagram, *The Masked Singer*/YouTube
The Masked Singer
- Music
- Reality TV
- Game Show
The Masked Singer is the American version of the popular Masked Singer competition. Developed by Craig Plestis, the series sees an array of celebrities dress up in elaborate costumes and masks, and then sing against one another in a competition format to be the last one standing. The American version is hosted by Nick Cannon.