The Masked Singer 12 Week 7: Who Was Unmasked on Who Are You Fest?
The Masked Singer Season 12 continued into Week 7 with Nick Cannon returning as host and the panel made up of Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong and Rita Ora. This episode marked the Group C premiere, introducing the final set of masked performers: Sherlock Hound, Strawberry Shortcake, Royal Knight, Ice King and Macaron. These five competed for a place in the next round, and by the end of the night one celebrity was unmasked.
A notable production twist—the Ding Dong Keep It On Bell—made a return, but it offered no safety net for the Group C contestants. Unlike a prior week when the panel could use the bell to save a singer, none of the performers in this group were eligible to be spared. The episode’s loose theme felt festival-oriented, with costumes and staging evoking a DJ club or music festival atmosphere, and contestants presenting themselves as if they were on a big outdoor lineup.
Royal Knight
Clues: Royal Knight revealed a connection to a previous contestant by naming a new “Masked Ambassador,” Savannah Chrisley, who appeared last season. The clues suggested Royal Knight had gone on a personal “quest” with obstacles along the way. Props included a TV remote and a Cinderella-style shoe, both hinting at a background in television or performance.
Performance: Royal Knight sang “You and I” by Lady Gaga. Vocally, the Knight stayed largely on key and delivered the song with a slight Southern drawl. The onstage props included a merch wall displaying a T-shirt that read “Ready to Sleigh,” reinforcing the competitive, showman-like persona. Panel guesses varied: Jenny McCarthy suggested Ashley Tisdale, Rita Ora guessed Lily James, and Robin Thicke offered Hayden Panettiere.
Sherlock Hound
Clues: Sherlock Hound’s ambassador was identified as Barry Zito from season 3, and clues referenced a musical family background before a turn toward rock and roll. The hints implied a performer who embraced touring and band life.
Performance: Sherlock Hound tackled “Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, delivering a convincing 1990s-style rock vocal. The tone and phrasing strongly suggested a seasoned rock singer. An onstage clue that read “No. 1 Hit” and a line about knowing what it’s like to be “No. 1 in the world” pointed to someone with chart success. Panelists floated several rock-oriented guesses: Rita offered multiple rock singer possibilities, Ken Jeong suggested Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, and Robin guessed Brandon Boyd from Incubus.
Ice King
Clues: Ice King named Hanson as his ambassador, and clues included speakers and a passport, hinting at travel and a return to music after stepping away from Hollywood. The package suggested someone easing back into the spotlight with help from musical collaborators.
Performance: Ice King performed “Tonight Tonight” by Hot Chelle Rae, giving a delivery reminiscent of an early-2000s pop or boy-band vocalist. The vocal quality suggested a performer who had once been part of a mainstream pop act. Onstage, a clue read “Drop the fire beat,” and the Ice King spoke about traveling the world and lighting up crowds. Panel guesses included Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy (Robin), Joe Jonas (Ken), and a surprising fan guess of streamer MrBeast from Jenny McCarthy, though that last suggestion didn’t align clearly with the clues.
Macaron
Clues: Macaron’s clue package included Willie Robertson from Duck Dynasty as an ambassador and mentioned a striking personal event—being struck by lightning—among other hints. The character’s name and styling played on confectionery imagery, mixing sweetness with showbiz bravado. Clues suggested resilience and a theme of blooming or renewal.
Performance: Macaron sang “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen, delivering a performance that struggled with pitch and musical range. The onstage clue “Unstoppable blooming all year long” and the artist’s remarks about overcoming adversity framed Macaron as someone who had faced serious challenges and persisted. Panelist guesses included Gypsy Rose Blanchard (Ken), Monica Lewinsky (Jenny), and Ariana Maddux (Robin), illustrating the wide variety of theories the clues produced.
Strawberry Shortcake
Clues: Strawberry Shortcake’s ambassador was Hayley Orrantia, who described the character as a festival favorite who had waited years for a chance to shine. The clues implied a performer with both musical and acting credentials, someone who had transitioned between roles.
Performance: Strawberry Shortcake closed the night with “Slow Burn” by Kacey Musgraves, delivering a poised, stylistic performance that emphasized tone and interpretation over wide-ranging vocal gymnastics. The onstage clue “Break a Leg” hinted at a breakthrough acting role that revealed the performer’s potential. Panel guesses included Reneé Rapp (Rita), Lana Del Rey (Jenny), and Rachel Zegler (Robin), reflecting the idea of a crossover singer-actor.
A Singer is UNMASKED
The first contestant eliminated from Group C and unmasked that night was Macaron. The judges’ final guesses before the reveal were varied: Robin Thicke guessed Ariana Maddux, Ken Jeong guessed Gypsy Rose Blanchard, and both Rita Ora and Jenny McCarthy guessed Bethany Hamilton. When the mask came off, Macaron was revealed to be Bethany Hamilton.
Bethany Hamilton is widely known as a professional surfer who survived a shark attack that resulted in the loss of one arm. Her appearance on The Masked Singer as Macaron showcased a performer who, despite limited vocal polish in this performance, brought a recognizable identity and a personal story that resonated with the panel and viewers. The unmasking concluded Group C’s premiere night and set the stage for the competition’s next round.