Throughout the season, Buffalos, Strawberry Shortcake, and Wasp have delivered stunning performances that have captivated audiences with heartwarming vulnerability and exhilarating energy. Each contestant brought their unique flair to the stage, showcasing their vocal skills and artistic expressions. The emotional depth of their performances has resonated with fans, leaving them eager for the outcomes of this competitive showdown.

In a thrilling turn of events, all three finalists saved their most spectacular performances for the semi-finals. The atmosphere was electric, setting the stage for an unforgettable finale. While Rita Ora was absent due to illness, her return is highly anticipated for the grand finale, adding to the excitement of the competition.

In a shocking revelation, the voting margin for this semi-finals was the closest in the show’s history, with Nick Cannon announcing a difference of less than one percentage point. This nail-biting scenario left fans on the edge of their seats, as one contestant faced elimination just before the highly anticipated finale.

Which contestant gave their all only to be sent home one week shy of the finale? Did our esteemed panel of experts manage to make the right call? There’s only one way to find out as we dive deeper into the performances and the ensuing drama!

Let’s jump right into this week’s reveal. And don’t worry, before we reach the shocking unmasking(s), we’ll put you through the wringer with the wild (and sometimes spot-on) guesses made by our esteemed panel of Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, and Ken Jeong first. We do this because we love … to keep you on your toes.

(“Some Nights,” Fun.) The evening commenced with a lively group performance featuring the remaining singers. With five of them on stage, the sound was rich and full. Strawberry Shortcake stood out as the only female in a sea of male voices, while Wasp showcased his prowess as a capable solo male artist. Buffalos are already a powerhouse ensemble, known for their killer harmonies, but we witnessed a standout solo moment from one of them. Collectively, their talent set the stage for an evening filled with fierce competition and one heartbreaking reveal.

(“Lose You to Love Me,” Selena Gomez) Strawberry Shortcake may have had a slightly tilted mask tonight, but her performance was pure heart. The intensity and emotion were palpable from the very first note. Her heartfelt delivery resonated deeply, making it clear that she was fully invested in the song. Covering such a powerful track is no easy feat, as it requires vulnerability and vocal precision, but Strawberry Shortcake stepped up with confidence and elegance, showcasing her undeniable talent.

Clues & Guesses: Sometimes stepping away from your dreams helps you rediscover them, a theme echoed in Strawberry Shortcake’s semi-finals clue package. She opened up about her struggles with pressure, rejection, and self-doubt, experiences that were triggered by her early fame, leading to an extended hiatus. Now, she has rekindled her passion for music and is determined to have fun once again.

When reflecting on her journey, she shared, “I’ve learned that I’m resilient, strong, and so incredibly happy to be back on stage.” She expressed gratitude to the panel for their kind words, stating that this experience has reaffirmed her belief that “this is where I’m meant to be.”

Her on-stage Friendship Bracelet hinted at a connection with Ken, showcasing the message “Press Tour.” She elaborated, “One of the highlights of my career was the press tour we did together. You made me laugh all day, and it truly meant a lot to me.”

In the quarterfinals, Strawberry Shortcake made it clear that she typically doesn’t take these risks alone. She took pride in dedicating time for herself, motivated by her family and friends pursuing their own paths. This journey marked a thrilling and new experience for her, as she has always been part of a “package deal” throughout her life.

“Hey sis, you are absolutely crushing it, I’m so proud of you,” came her phone call clue. “It’s 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. My nephew and I are rooting for you.”

Last week’s clue package was centered on her relationship with her mother, reminiscing about their tradition of singing at the top of their lungs during the holidays while baking together. Now, however, stage fright has silenced her mother’s voice, and Strawberry Shortcake hopes her journey on this show will inspire her mom to sing again.

She also mentioned an opportunity to perform in a Thanksgiving parade, accompanied by visual clues such as 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 by saying, “Mouse ears have been instrumental in how I got my start.” Naturally, mentioning “mouse ears” evokes thoughts of Disney’s enchanting world.

Last week, clues highlighted her connections to Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus, emphasizing their shared dreams and parallel paths. She spoke about how both grew up in front of the world and even shared a stage at one point. The duo leaned on each other after navigating the challenges of fame, including heartbreaks with the same brothers.

Visually, the clues included an apple, a “Banana Montana” clapperboard she tossed into the air from a director’s chair, and a shooting star. Her on-stage clue was a set of red boxing gloves—one adorned with a blonde wig and the other with a marijuana leaf. “Miley has always had my back. She was even by my side when I made my debut,” Strawberry Shortcake explained.

Season 7’s Ringmaster, Haley Orrantia, introduced her friend as Strawberry Shortcake’s Masked Ambassador, referring to her as “a fan favorite.” She shared that they’ve been through many of Haley’s “greatest milestones” together, creating a strong bond between them.

Speaking on her own behalf, Strawberry Shortcake revealed that she always dreamed of headlining a major music festival but had to settle for being a spectator. That was until she got the call to open “one of the most iconic ones.” She described that day as both sweet and a “slow burn,” but ultimately worth the wait.

Throughout the performance, visual clues included sunny sunglasses, a kitten, rainbows, hearts, Instagram photos, mushrooms, and an ice cream cone. On stage, her 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 during the press tour may have been linked to a Hangover movie promotion where he met Joey King. However, Jenny considered Sarah Hyland, who has showcased her singing abilities previously. Robin guessed Lucy Hale, which also connected to promotional tours for Ken’s Dr. Ken show.

However, none of those guesses align perfectly with all of the clues. You can connect both the mouse ears and the cow to the Disney Channel original movie Cow Belles, which was the debut for Aly and her sister — and our favorite guess — AJ Michalka.

The kitten suggests both her Catra role on She-Ra and her role alongside Aly on Hellcats. Plus, AJ dated one of the JoBros (Joe, in fact), which adds to that vibe. Additionally, the Hannah Montana connection might stem from her mentioning that sister Aly was offered that role before Miley landed it while she was offered the role of Lilly Truscott.

Moreover, we still have last week’s clue about her being an aunt, so it’s worth noting that Aly gave birth to her son on April 21 of this year, making AJ Michalka a brand new aunt!

(“Africa,” Toto) Buffalos capitalized on their collective strength, adding ad-libs and runs during the chorus to elevate their performance. Always a fan favorite, they stayed true to the spirit of the original while infusing it with their remarkable harmonies and powerful vocals. Their performance was cleverly constructed to showcase their talents and build to a thrilling crescendo, leaving the audience both satisfied and yearning for more.