The unveiling of the final five masks has intensified the competition, as Group C begins the thrilling process of elimination to determine who will join Coral, Paparazzo, Boogie Woogie, and Pearl in the next exciting round next month. The stakes are high, and the talent is fierce as each contestant vies for their chance at glory.

Before anything else unfolds, Nessy, Yorkie, Stud Muffin, Cherry Blossom, and Mad Scientist Monster (left to right, above) must navigate the fierce competition among themselves — and for one contestant, the struggle came to an abrupt end almost as quickly as it began during tonight’s thrilling episode.

This episode showcased a vibrant array of contestants, from the tiny to the towering, featuring voices that ranged from shockingly beautiful to comically entertaining. Unfortunately, the Carnival celebration came to an end swiftly for one well-known face, leaving the panel stumped as none of them were able to guess this contestant correctly.

We’ve formulated our theories regarding all five of the new masks, and we feel quite confident in our guesses (though they may be as off-base as Ken Jeong’s predictions!). Who do you think is behind the masks? And which contestant was sent home tonight? As Nick Cannon would say, “You know the drill!”

Let’s dive right into this week’s masked performers. And don’t worry, before we get to the shocking unmasking(s), we’ll make you endure the terrible (and sometimes brilliant) guesses made by our illustrious panel of Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora first. We do this because we love … to torture you.

(“Sizzling to Go!” Chappel Roan) Yorkie may not possess the traditional dance skills or rhythmic finesse, yet she undeniably delivers entertainment value with her delightfully amateurish and charmingly absurd performance. Her energy radiates more of a drag queen vibe than that of a seasoned singer; however, she demonstrates a surprising ability to carry a tune, exceeding expectations based on the overall presentation she delivers. This performer fully embraces the campy aesthetic and knows how to turn it up to eleven, even if she doesn’t quite fit the mold of a traditional vocalist.

Clues & Guesses: Without revealing too much in her initial clue package, Yorkie hinted that she’s fashion-forward, sassy, and — yes — popular! Among the clues was an image of a mouse on what appeared to be a classic cardboard party hat, as she shared tales of going through various “crazy stuff” in her life.

“One minute you’re hot, the next it’s your time to go,” she remarked while holding an oversized diamond ring. Throughout her narrative, she mentioned how music has served as her salvation during her “darkest hours.” Additionally, we observed a stack of poker chips as she discussed her spirited nature, suggesting she has some bite to her, which has helped her catch rats.

When asked about the true identity of Yorkie, she responded, “Well, I was down and out, but then a beautiful woman in Beverly Hills adopted me, and now I’m wearing Chanel and eating caviar.” This playful remark certainly adds to the intrigue surrounding her character!

Jenny had to stand up for her Vegas girl guess, linking it to the poker chips; Yorkie’s humorous style and self-admitted brat-like behavior led her to guess Chelsea Handler. When Nick asked if she could perform while moving like that, Jenny quickly replied, “Throw some vodka in her and it’s a par-tay!”

Rita connected the diamond ring to the film Bling Ring, referencing the character who had her ring stolen, Paris Hilton … who also has a key to the city of Las Vegas. Ken dove into the Real Housewives pool, suggesting Kyle Richards as Yorkie humorously referenced the Men in Black, saying, “All right, bitches, let’s go!”

The first guess that emerged from the poker chips was a star who has gained notoriety in that realm, leading us to one of the hottest “it” girls of the ’90s and ’00s, Shannon Elizabeth. She mentioned how music has rescued her, and she’s actively involved in the animal rescue world. Additionally, she’s performed on camera, directed music videos, and danced on Dancing with the Stars.

Another strong possibility gaining traction could be Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne, who is much more closely tied to music as she has released songs. Moreover, she appeared on Lip Sync Battle and portrayed Roxie Hart in Chicago. Could that be the connection? Not to mention the reference to being adopted by that “beautiful girl in Beverly Hills”!

Vocally, this theory feels more accurate, especially with her line, “the value of poker has completely changed” regarding her complicated relationship with estranged husband PK. This could potentially tie to the poker chips, as does her recent documentary, Bet It All on Blonde.

(“Soar Round,” Home of Ache) Stud Muffin burst onto the stage with a hip-hop vibe, prioritizing entertainment over vocal prowess. The track choice was clearly a crowd-pleaser, and he maintained that energy from start to finish. The Carnival theme resonated throughout, as several performers joined him by the end of his performance. Was it vocally exceptional? Not quite. However, it was still a fun and engaging experience, and he executed the chosen song effectively.

Clues & Guesses: Stud Muffin is enthusiastic about his costume, proclaiming he’s “had a muffin top for most of his life.” He has always dreamed of being a mascot, as it allows one to energize the crowd while remaining anonymous. In his real life, however, he represents his team, helping them “sweep up the competition” while rising from the bottom to the top.

He shared that he started by sweeping floors, showcasing a jar of jam as a clue. Other visual hints included basketball shoes adorned with a basketball graphic, a weight room, and the hundred-dollar bills he waved around before tossing them into the air.

Jenny was already guessing a basketball star from the moment he stepped on stage, as he appears to be quite a large dude, perhaps even taller than Nick. When asked if this fulfilled his mascot dreams, Stud Muffin told Nick, “One of my teammates used to run with a mascot, and I thought it was so cool, but no. Love the idea, but Nick, love doesn’t cost a thing.”

Nick then confidently declared he knows who this is, prompting Rita to retort, “Why don’t you go first, Nick?” She dismissed all the obvious basketball player clues to focus on his vocals, recognizing a signature style reminiscent of Method Man in his delivery. Robin also picked up on these vocal nuances, so he was right alongside Rita.

Ken, however, leaped up as the resident NBA expert, pivoting back to sports and suggesting Shaquille O’Neal, which wasn’t as soundly dismissed by everyone else in the room as one might expect. However, based on his hip and shoulder positioning next to Nick, we’re uncertain if Stud Muffin is quite that tall. Jenny, meanwhile, received a less-than-enthusiastic response from Stud Muffin for her Michael Jordan guess.

Since he doesn’t tower over Nick, we found ourselves considering smaller — by NBA standards — stars who featured in the latest Space Jam film, like 6’2″ Damian Lillard. He signed a deal with Adidas, which could tie into the sneakers, and he performs as a hip-hop artist under the moniker Dame D.O.L.L.A., which aligns with the dollar bills.

He earned the Rookie of the Year title when he started with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2012, which eventually led to a decade of success and playoff appearances under his leadership. Additionally, he has expressed his admiration for the Golden State Warriors’ mascot, recalling his childhood experiences watching it.

(“Roxane,” The Police) Nessy possesses an incredible vocal range, with a purity in his voice that embodies raw, unfiltered talent. Additionally, he displayed exceptional control, range, and emotional depth in his performance, tackling a song that requires strategic execution to showcase vocal prowess — and he certainly did! This performance stands out as one of the strongest vocals in the entire competition, leaving the panel in awe.

Clues & Guesses: He hinted at being a star who lives in a place where celebrities don’t typically reside, where even his neighbors and mailman may not recognize him as the well-known figure he is. In his initial clue package, he described himself as a “gentle giant,” revealing a layer of mystery and intentional “reclusiveness” about his life on his sprawling property.

A radio adorned with a star suggests either a musical artist — which we can definitely hear — or perhaps a DJ with an incredible voice. He also polished a horseshoe on stage, displayed a red card with a white lip print, and his family emerged from the waters behind him, hinting at a spouse and three children.

Nessy expressed, “I took some time off to be with my family. However, being able to come back here and be invited back into the limelight feels incredibly good.” His return to the stage seems to resonate deeply with both him and the audience.

Rita speculated if the lips could refer to Gene Simmons from KISS (though he does not sing particularly well), suggesting that the makeup might cause people not to recognize him. However, KISS has remained in the spotlight, currently on a farewell tour.

Jenny, on the other hand, pondered if this could be Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds, tying the “Radioactive” song to the radio. Ken and Robin discussed the distinctiveness of his voice, with Ken mentioning a resemblance to Daryl Hall, both of whom share a signature vocal style. A “Private Plane” newspaper for “Private Eye,” and the lips referring to “Kiss on My List” provide further clues.

Interestingly, we don’t dismiss the Daryl guess. He indeed lives on 250 acres in a small community of fewer than 1,000 people in Millerton, New York, making it plausible that his neighbors and mailman might not recognize him as a celebrity. He even referenced his privacy — a nod to Hall & Oates’ Private Eyes?

(“Let’s Get Loud,” Jennifer Lopez) Cherry Blossom expressed that she was not a seasoned singer, but she certainly did not disappoint with her performance. She maintained a respectable pitch throughout, although she didn’t truly push her limits. As she shook off her nerves, her performance grew stronger. While she displays some rough edges, with dedication and practice, she could uncover a powerful singing voice within herself.

Clues & Guesses: Cherry Blossom became emotional during her clue package, sharing that she was participating in this show to honor a dear friend who had previously passed away, indicating she misses him dearly.

She also mentioned recognizing his voice from the first note, which significantly narrows down potential identities. Right off the bat, the most notable male personalities who are no longer with us and who competed on this show include Leslie Jordan, Jerry Springer, and Bob Saget.

According to her, this experience has enabled her to not take herself too seriously, viewing the show as a form of rebirth and a seasonal change. She described him as having one of the “loudest personalities,” as we spotted clues including a Christmas tree, a full moon, and a “Best Selling” book.

“This is the scariest thing I’ve ever done,” she admitted. “But I’m channeling my children’s confidence — one of them sings — but my legs are still noodles right now,” she shared with heartfelt honesty.

Ken noted that the clues had him leaning one way, but Cherry Blossom’s demeanor while speaking on stage reminded him of Tina Fey. Rita, however, speculated that the previous contestant connection might lead to Shark Tank’s Daymond John, possibly making this Lori Greiner.

Jenny, on the other hand, linked the Christmas tree to Christmas films, arriving at her guess of Jennie Garth. She also tied the full moon to Twilight star Peter Facinelli, who is connected to Brian Austin Green. However, all of these guesses seemed to overlook that Cherry Blossom became emotional while expressing how much she missed her friend who competed, suggesting it’s someone who has sadly passed.

This brings us back to the three men we discussed earlier, with our inclination leaning more towards Leslie or Bob as individuals who would have perhaps had a petite woman working with them over time, as she hinted.

Leslie could lead us to Will & Grace for Debra Messing or Megan Mullally, or his recent Call Me Kat for Mayim Bialik or Kyla Pratt. The most apparent Bob connection, of course, would be Full House, pointing toward Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber, or — and this isn’t the right guess — the Olsen twins.

Based on just the way she speaks, we might best hear Mayim, Candace, or Andrea, with a stronger lean toward the paternal connection the latter two might have had with Bob growing up. When considering them, we reflect on Jenny’s take regarding the Christmas tree, as Candace has starred in numerous Hallmark and GAC holiday movies.

(“Unwell,” Matchbox Twenty) Mad Scientist Monster showcases a genuine country twang and a soulful sound, which fit perfectly for this classic track. His voice immediately sounded familiar, leading us to believe that this is someone who undoubtedly earns a living from music and has spent years honing their craft. This debut performance was undeniably strong.

Clues & Guesses: Mad Scientist Monster — or MSM, as we’ll call him — nearly didn’t end up in his current profession, where he claims to have “changed the world.” Instead, he was on track to excel in a different field, having been scouted and nearly breaking into the mainstream.

However, everything fell apart as everyone was eager to recruit him, leaving him sidelined and costing him his chance at fame. Nevertheless, he responded to that setback with a pivot that revealed his true calling. Along the way, we saw “Fast” on a radar gun for tracking speed, and a fish tank, along with various experiments in his lab.

“You know what?” he stated on stage. “This is so important to me because it gives me a chance to reintroduce myself to fans in a way they’ve never seen before.” This moment signifies a powerful opportunity for him to showcase his artistry.

Jenny felt it could potentially be Luke Bryan, confidently asserting it’s a “legendary recording artist,” connecting it to his song, “Fast.” Ken speculated it might be Luke Combs, who did his iconic rendition of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.” Robin, however, pointed to the towering stature of the performer, suggesting Blake Shelton, which was the first voice we recognized when he began singing and talking. However, we doubt he was ever something else, like an athlete.

One towering country star who did begin with a promising athletic career is 6’6″ Brett Young. A baseball scholarship for pitching brought him to Ole Miss, where he was scouted and ultimately turned down two pre-draft opportunities with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Minnesota Twins. He was well on his way to a career in baseball before an elbow injury abruptly ended it all. The clue duck solidified our theory with “curve ball” and “pitch” wordplay about him.

This was a particularly intriguing lineup, as there weren’t nearly as many strong singers compared to previous groups. Nonetheless, we are almost prepared to award the group to Nessy and Mad Scientist Monster, as these two delivered the most polished and impressive performances of the evening.