Throughout the season, Buffalos, Strawberry Shortcake, and Wasp have captivated audiences with their stunning performances, demonstrating a breathtaking blend of heartfelt vulnerability and explosive power. Each act has left viewers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating what these talented performers will deliver next.

In a surprising twist, all three finalists managed to deliver their most exceptional performances yet for this thrilling semi-finals showdown. Regardless of the outcomes, the atmosphere was electric, setting the stage for an epic finale. Although Rita Ora missed this round due to illness, she is anticipated to return for the grand finale, adding even more excitement to the competition!

In what has become a historic moment for the show, the voting margin was tighter than ever, with Nick Cannon announcing a nail-biting difference of less than one percent. This meant that one talented performer faced the heartbreaking reality of being eliminated just shy of the finale.

Which contestant gave it their all, only to be sent home one week before the grand finale? And did our esteemed panel of experts make the correct predictions? There’s only one way to find out as the excitement unfolds!

Let’s dive right into this week’s thrilling masked performances. And don’t worry, before we reveal the shocking unmasking(s), we’ll take you through the wild (and sometimes spot-on) guesses made by our illustrious panel, including Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, and Ken Jeong. We enjoy keeping you on your toes!

(“Some Nights,” Fun.) The evening commenced with a vibrant opening number featuring the remaining singers. With five voices harmonizing together, the sound was nothing short of spectacular. Strawberry Shortcake stood out as the sole female performer among a field of male contestants, while Wasp showcased his incredible solo talents. Buffalos, already a formidable group with their powerful harmonies, also presented a stunning solo moment, setting the stage for a night filled with fierce competition and emotional reveals.

(“Lose You to Love Me,” Selena Gomez) Despite having a slightly tilted mask tonight, Strawberry Shortcake delivered an emotionally charged performance that struck a chord with everyone in the audience. Her heartfelt delivery resonated deeply from the very first note, and we could feel her emotions pouring through every perfectly pitched line. Covering such a personal song is a challenge, but Strawberry Shortcake embraced the moment with pride and grace, showcasing her vocal prowess.

Clues & Guesses: In her semi-finals clue package, Strawberry Shortcake reflected on her journey, expressing how stepping away from fame helped her rediscover her passion for music. She opened up about the struggles with pressure, rejection, and self-doubt that she faced early on, leading her to take a long break. Now, she’s back and embracing the joy of performing, finding fun in the process once again.

When asked about her journey, she shared, “I’ve learned that I’m resilient and strong, and I’m so grateful to be on this stage.” She expressed her gratitude to the panel for their support, revealing that this experience has reaffirmed her belief that she belongs in the spotlight.

Her on-stage Friendship Bracelet featured a message connecting her to Ken, saying “Press Tour.” She reminisced, “One of the highlights of my career was the press tour we did together. You made me laugh all day long.”

In her earlier appearance, Strawberry Shortcake made it clear that she typically does not perform solo. She expressed pride in taking time for herself, even if it meant stepping out of her comfort zone while her family and friends were busy. This was her chance to break free from her usual collaborations and explore her individual talent.

“Hey sis, you are absolutely crushing it, I’m so proud of you,” came a heartfelt phone call clue. “It has been amazing to see you grow over time and just get better and better every day. And remember, I’m always with you, no matter what, so go out there and show the world what you can do, because I know you can. Your nephew and I are rooting for you.”

Last week’s clue package highlighted her connection with her mother, sharing memories of singing together at the top of their lungs during the holidays while baking. Now, however, stage fright has muted her mother’s voice, and Strawberry Shortcake hopes this journey will inspire her mother to find her singing voice again.

She also mentioned an opportunity to perform in a Thanksgiving parade, showcasing a pen with 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, “Mouse ears have been instrumental in how I got my start.” Naturally, when you think of “mouse ears,” Disney comes to mind.

Last week’s package emphasized her connections to Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus, revealing their shared dreams and experiences growing up in the public eye. She noted that the duo leaned on each other after their respective heartbreaks.

Visually, the clues included an apple, a “Banana Montana” clapperboard, 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. “Miley has always been in my corner. She was there when I made my debut,” Strawberry Shortcake explained.

Season 7’s Ringmaster, Haley Orrantia, introduced her friend as Strawberry Shortcake’s Masked Ambassador, describing her as “a pageant favorite.” She shared that they have been through many of Haley’s greatest milestones together.

Speaking for herself, Strawberry Shortcake revealed her lifelong dream of headlining a major music festival, even though she often had to settle for the sidelines. However, she finally received the opportunity to open one of the most iconic festivals, describing that day as both sweet and a “slow burn,” but ultimately worth the wait.

Visual clues throughout included sunny sunglasses, a kitten, rainbows, hearts, Instagram photos, mushrooms, and an ice cream cone. On stage, her t-shirt read “Break a Leg,” to which she added, “My breakthrough role showed the world my potential.”

With a new friendship bracelet, Ken speculated that his connection to Strawberry Shortcake might have occurred during a Hangover movie promotion tour where he met Joey King. Jenny, however, considered Sarah Hyland, who has showcased her singing talents before. Robin guessed Lucy Hale, which also related to promotional tours for Ken’s Dr. Ken show.

However, none of those guesses align perfectly with all the clues. The mouse ears and the cow can both 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 hints at her role as Catra in She-Ra and her collaboration with Aly in Hellcats. Plus, AJ dated one of the JoBros (Joe, specifically), so that connection makes sense. The Hannah Montana reference might be tied to Aly, who was offered that role before Miley landed it, while she was offered the role of Lilly Truscott.

Additionally, we can’t forget about last week’s hint about her being an aunt now, as Aly welcomed her son on April 21 of this year, making AJ Michalka a new aunt!

(“Africa,” Toto) Buffalos utilized their group dynamic to create an unforgettable rendition, enhancing the original with their harmonies and impressive vocal runs. Consistently a crowd favorite, they maintained the essence of the original while infusing it with their unique flair. Their arrangement showcased their vocal talents and culminated in a powerful crescendo, leaving the audience both satisfied and craving more.

Clues & Guesses: For the semi-finals, Buffalos honored their children, sharing that they sing even better than the group. They discussed overcoming early career skepticism, emphasizing how staying true to their authentic selves inspired their success and allows them to serve as role models for their children and the next generation.

Nick inquired about their bond as brothers. One Buffalo responded, “First, I’d say, never in a million years would I think I’d be in a Buffalo mask. But