In a dramatic twist, Buffalos, Wasp, and Strawberry Shortcake triumphed over their rivals to emerge as Group Champions. Meanwhile, Goo proved to be a formidable contender, earning the Ding-Dong-Preserve-It-On Bell, making him both the Wild Card and the underdog entering this electrifying round. Will he rise to the occasion and claim victory in this fierce competition?

Before the quarter finalists could claim their victories, they faced off against a diverse array of artists ranging from Alessia Cara to Shania Twain, creating a night rich in musical variety. The evening was packed with surprises, heartfelt moments, and a plethora of clues that kept both contestants and viewers on the edge of their seats as they received touching messages from their loved ones.

Two contestants managed to secure their spots in the upcoming semi-finals unscathed, while the two with the lowest votes were forced into a fierce Smackdown! This moment is both cutthroat and exhilarating, as it also provides an opportunity for these contestants to showcase their vocal talents one last time before the audience. So, there’s a silver lining amidst the tension!

Tonight’s speculation included notable names like Usher, Katy Perry, and John Cena, igniting a fiery debate among the panelists! With some impressive guesses thrown into the mix, the question remains: did anyone truly anticipate tonight’s big reveal?

Let’s dive right into this week’s masked performances. And fear not, before unveiling any shocking unmaskings, we’ll recount the humorous (and occasionally spot-on) guesses made by our esteemed panel of Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora first. We do this because we enjoy … to keep you on your toes.

(“Standing Next to You,” Jungkook) Wasp electrified the audience with an exhilarating performance that showcased his professional singing prowess. He maintained perfect breath control and delivered a performance that was as physically engaging as it was vocally impressive. The vibe was reminiscent of classic ’90s R&B, featuring smooth falsetto and effortless dance moves, while his buttery voice delivered a silky smooth experience throughout.

Clues & Guesses: Sharing insights about his life challenges and family struggles, Wasp turned his attention to love during the quarter finals, revealing his own struggles in that realm. Riding a blue motorcycle as part of his performance, he expressed his uncertainty about love, likely stemming from a lack of real-world examples, which may explain why he’s been searching for that rom-com magic.

He candidly admitted to experiencing failures along the way, including a few U-turns that he felt should have been illegal. However, he remains hopeful and currently in love, excited about finally finding the right path. A touching on-stage clue came in the form of a call from a beloved cousin, who offered words of encouragement.

“Hey Wasp, it’s your best friend and cousin,” he said, visibly moved. “You never cease to amaze me. You’re capable of so many things it’s ridiculous, from delivering hits to live theater to starring in one of the biggest shows of the decade. I know you have what it takes to win this thing.”

In a poignant moment, Wasp paid tribute to his late mother, who faced her “darkest battle,” highlighting his feelings of helplessness during her struggle. He affectionately referred to her as his protector and hero, sharing memories of her love for Halloween and dress-up, adding that she would likely have loved to wear his wasp costume.

As he reflected on his journey, visual clues such as an old-fashioned map, a stethoscope, and a lava lamp alongside a DNA strand symbolized his diverse background. An invention from the ’60s made its appearance too, represented by an ATM, with a million-dollar withdrawal triggering a flurry of payments to fly everywhere. “That’s an interesting bill,” Wasp remarked, showcasing Robin’s face on a million-dollar bill. “Just like this bill, I’ve also hit one million,” he added confidently.

For his second performance, Wasp shared about his crowded upbringing, growing up with over a dozen relatives living under the same roof, all of whom he described as “hustlers.” The only thing seemingly missing from his life was his father.

As he finally made his mark in the industry, he returned home to a supportive family, including his father, who expressed immense pride in his achievements. Clues in his package included a folding ladder, a theater marquee bearing his name, and a pink crab, each representing significant moments in his life.

His on-stage toy was a Barbie stage complete with two dolls, each raising an arm, one elevated on a pedestal. “Every minute I’m out there, I elevate my live performances to new heights,” Wasp expressed passionately.

Wasp’s Masked Ambassador is Ne-Yo (a.k.a. Season 10 winner Cow), who stated, “I think it’s about time for my boy Wasp to enter this competition. I’ve known him since he was fresh on the scene, and he achieved massive success by following my words of wisdom. I believe he’s got what it takes to snag the Golden Mask trophy, just like I did in Season 10.”

Wasp then opened up about his challenging upbringing, stating there was no reason he should have made it out. “But I learned to dig deep and fight,” he declared, sporting a pair of boxing gloves. He then revealed how his career ballooned to the “biggest screens and stages in the world.” Ne-Yo mentioned he had the ladies swarming.

Other visual clues included a depiction of Mars and a lightbulb illuminating Ne-Yo’s head as he shared his words of wisdom. For Sports Night, the singers brought athletic shoes from home to represent their lives, with Wasp’s honeycomb-themed basketball shoes leading him to declare, “Fresh kicks help me stay on my game.”

Rita cleverly linked the live theater clue from Wasp’s cousin to Rent and made an accurate guess regarding Mario, a reference that has been on many viewers’ minds, especially with Mario recently going public with his new relationship with Kris Stephens.

Ken, however, speculated that these clues pointed to Usher, a guess that surprisingly garnered support from the audience. Even the panel and Nick had to concede that it wasn’t a terrible guess. Jenny looked to the earlier ladder and the New Heights clue to uncover the song “Ascension” by Maxwell as her guess.

(“Iris,” Goo Goo Dolls) Goo may not have had the strongest opening, but he quickly found the sweet spot where the sincerity of his vocals truly shone. He took a moment to exhibit his falsetto, which, while not typical of a professional performance, showcased his emotionally raw voice that resonated deeply with the audience. This heartfelt rendition left everyone feeling moved.

Clues & Guesses: The panel was taken aback when Goo revealed in his quarter finals clue package that he wasn’t a professional singer. Instead, he shared that he’s always pursued dual dreams, with the other passion being the one for which he’s known. It seems he’s hopeful about perhaps changing this narrative throughout his journey, proving to the naysayers that he can excel at both.

“Hello Goo, it’s your fiancée. I know you’re in there,” his on-stage phone call began. He expressed how much he cherished having her by his side during this journey. “You melt my heart, Goo, and from what I can hear, you’ve melted America’s hearts too. I haven’t been this proud of you since the day you received that call that changed your life forever. Good luck, I love you.”

Goo’s previous clues featured him giving himself a year to meet his goals, emphasizing perseverance. He mentioned that he’s only just beginning to believe in himself. Throughout his performances, he held gold coins, a conductor’s baton, and moved a rook chess piece, symbolizing his determination and aspirations.

We also saw sheet music on a music stand, a bag of gold coins, and cotton candy being tossed behind him, alongside a blue rotary phone that he answered when he discussed receiving that “rare call” which propelled him on the “rise.”