Who Are the Thirsty Celebrities on The Masked Singer?

When The Masked Singer’s latest season opens, it’s with a reminder that the show has already hosted “186 celebrities over 11 seasons.” That statistic raises the very real question of what now qualifies as “celebrity” status in the world of The Masked Singer, considering the typically C-to-D-list “stars” the show tends to attract these days. If we’re to believe the judges — and, really, no one should — it’s entirely possible that Cardi B, Tom Brady, or Kerry Washington could jump out of an absurd costume onto the show’s glossy stage at any given time. And while, with very few exceptions, no one with that level of fame ever has been unmasked, viewers soldier on, determined to see which who?s are revealed each week.

Since the season is broken into four groups of five celebs this time around, we’re getting a slower than usual rollout of characters and celebrity reveals. After several weeks of whittling down Group A to semifinalist Buffalo and Group B down to Wasp and Goo, we’re now moving on to Group C and a whole new set of costumes and clues to pore over week to week. Based on what we’ve seen so far, here’s our very scientific, constantly evolving, and mostly confident stab at who we think the sort of famous contestants are this season on The Masked Singer.

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Group C

Who is Royal Knight?

Here’s what we know about Royal Knight: Introduced by ambassador Savannah Chrisley as “the toughest woman” she knows, Royal Knight says she always thought she’d have a fairy-tale life but has instead been through “heartbreak and terror.” Clip-package clues include a cheerleading megaphone, a TV remote, and the phrase “The T,” and Rita Ora says her walk is so good she’s “giving model.”

Why it’s definitely Hayden Panettiere: This guess might still be a long shot, but it rang somewhat true when Robin Thicke made it. Panettiere was a great singer in Nashville, and, as Ken Jeong points out, she also played the cheerleader in Heroes. She’s also notably tough, having dealt with postpartum depression, the recent death of her younger brother, and an abusive partner in the past.

Why it might not be Hayden Panettiere: At just five feet tall, Panettiere is just a wisp of a thing, while the Royal Knight appears much taller. She also hasn’t been in a Christmas movie in 25 years, which could throw a wrench in the sleigh-crazy merch-booth clue. Looking at Chrisley’s Instagram, she does follow a number of reality stars, like Brielle Biermann, Kristen Doute, and Lala Kent, who all seem like valid possibilities, but can any of them really sing as well as Royal Knight?

Who is Sherlock Hound?

Here’s what we know about Sherlock Hound: This twangy-voiced tail-chaser has had jam sessions with ambassador Barry Zito and comes from a musical family. He says he’s played by campfires, in dive bars, and on tour buses, and visual clues in the clip package include a diamond record, which could either mean baseball or album sales.

Why it’s definitely Jake Owen: The country hitmaker is one of Zito’s friends on Instagram and does have the same kind of down-home voice we heard in his performance of “Under the Bridge.” He also seems popular enough to be on The Masked Singer but not as popular as he once was, meaning it could be a good time in his career for this move.

Why it might not be Jake Owen: He’s had No. 1 country albums in the U.S., but has Owen ever gone No. 1 in the world, like they say Sherlock Hound has? Additionally, the judging panel did put forward some good (and bad) ’90s-based guesses, including Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger and Incubus’s Brandon Boyd. We’re not sure if we buy the former, but the latter could be possible.

Who is Ice King?

Here’s what we know about Ice King: Introduced by Hanson, who say they helped him get his start, the Ice King once topped the charts globally and got the royal treatment before stepping away from the business for years. Now he’s ready to stand in the spotlight again, accompanied by his passport, a big speaker, and what’s either a sucker, a piece of chocolate, or a cake pop.

Why it’s definitely Skrillex: There’s something about Ice King’s snotty voice that makes us think about Skrillex’s time in hard-core band From First to Last. Ice King also looks short, which Skrillex certainly is. Skrillex was also just about everywhere a few years ago and then shied away from the business for a second, which could be what he’s alluding to in his intro.

Why it might not be Skrillex: Given that he just sold out Madison Square Garden last year, Skrillex is arguably too popular to be on The Masked Singer. It could be someone like Tyler Hilton, who once opened for Hanson, or Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley.

Who is Macaron?

Here’s what we know about Macaron: After being introduced by Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson, Macaron says her life changed in an instant “in an event rarer than being struck by lightning.” She said she fought hard, though, and restarted everything from scratch, holding up a picture of actor AnnaSophia Robb.

Why it’s definitely Bethany Hamilton: First up, Robb played one-armed surfer Bethany Hamilton in Soul Surfer, the movie about the shark attack that took her arm. (An incident that’s pretty darn rare!) The Macaron costume also has one arm that’s immobile, holding a plate of cookies, which could be a good way to trick us into not noticing only one of the singer’s arms is moving.

Why it might not be Bethany Hamilton: It is. She was unmasked in the Group C premiere.

Who is Strawberry Shortcake?

Here’s what we know about Strawberry Shortcake: A “festival favorite” who seems to adore Instagram, Strawberry Shortcake can really belt, giving us a season-best performance of Kacey Musgraves’s “Slow Burn” in the first Group C episode. She’s friends with Hayley Orrantia and she also seems to like cats, given the lingering shot they give us of a stuffed-animal version during the clip package. Her merch clue suggested she’s an actor, with Strawberry telling the crowd that her “breakthrough role showed the world” her potential.

Why it’s definitely Brandi Cyrus: We’re not 100 percent sure about this yet, but Brandi Cyrus feels right. She’s got the country pipes to deliver that “Slow Burn” cover, and while she’s been acting for years, her DJ career feels fairly new. She played Stagecoach and Lollapalooza this year, and her set time at the latter was fairly early on Friday, something that could play into the “opened an iconic festival” line she laid down in her clue package.

Why it might not be Brandi Cyrus: The judges seem to think it’s Reneé Rapp, Lana Del Rey, or Rachel Zegler, none of which are realistic guesses, but we’re not sure who else really fits at this point. Like the judges, we need more clues.

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Group B

Who is Wasp?

Here’s what we know about Wasp: A confident individual who definitely knows his way around some choreo, Wasp is introduced to the world by Ne-Yo, who says he’s known him for years. Wasp says he “grew up in a tough neighborhood,” and there’s “no reason” he should have made it out, a fact that’s then highlighted with a glimpse of a boxing glove. His career has been a “hive of activity,” and he’s graced “the biggest screens and stages in the world.” He also apparently loves a good honey-themed pair of basketball shoes.

Why it’s definitely Mario: Wasp’s clues all point to R&B singer Mario. Raised on the mean streets of Baltimore (hence the crab!) in a family environment that seems less than ideal, Mario found music as a kid but only really popped off commercially with “Let Me Love You,” a single that was actually written by Ne-Yo.

Why it might not be Mario: Does Mario have something to do with boxing? Questionable. Is he a basketball guy? Also unclear. The judges have thrown out Mario, but they also seem to think it could be Taye Diggs, Jason Derulo, Kirk Franklin, or Bruno Mars. (Which, no. The Masked Singer wishes it was Bruno Mars.) We’re just going to have to wait for some more clues on this one.

Who is Goo?

Here’s what we know about Goo: It might be his size or it might be his introduction from ambassador Keenan Allen, but Goo just seems to have big athlete energy. (The gooey football cleats don’t hurt, either.) There are references to tackling/tackle/tackle boxes in his intro video, as well as a train with disco-ball cargo. He says he was always musical as a kid, too, joining a cappella groups and winning awards for his skill.

Why it’s definitely Kobie Turner: If you’re talking about cool football players who love to sing, then you’ve got to think about “The Conductor,” Kobie Turner. A tackle for the L.A. Rams, Turner has made headlines for his performance both on and off the field. He’s also engaged to his (very funny) high-school sweetheart, whom he really bonded with on a class trip to Disney World. He’s the natural choice and a perfect fit.

Why it might not be Kobie Turner: It could be another musically talented NFL player, like perhaps a member of the NFL Players Choir.

Who is Bluebell?

Here’s what we know about Bluebell: Introduced by longtime friend and fellow tabloid darling Kelly Osbourne, Bluebell has long been in the public eye. She found “worldwide overnight success,” which led to her becoming fodder for the rumor mill, who linked her romantically with “rock stars, billionaires, and royals.” The Marmite-loving flower says she only found true love recently, though, with the intro video showing glimpses of some torn blue jeans and a phoenix sticker on a guitar. Her shoes are also a pair of Rollerblades meant to look like rocks, which she says mean that she “tries to roll with the situation, but [she] always rocks it out.”

Why it’s definitely Natalie Imbruglia: Natalie Imbruglia’s no stranger to the Masked Singer family — she actually won the third season of Masked Singer UK inside a panda costume, sounding very much the same as she does here. While we wouldn’t call her “rock and roll,” she’s certainly made a few headlines, including a fairly raucous one with Osbourne back in the early ’00s. The torn, not ripped, jeans in the clip package seem to hint at her hit song, as well, and the phoenix on the guitar could suggest Firebird, her most recent LP. The white lilies in the clip package during ‘60s Night nod to her album, White Lilies Island, and the sugar is something you might ask your neighbor for, a nod to her stint on Aussie soap Neighbours.

Why it might not be Natalie Imbruglia: It is. She was unmasked during ‘60s Night.

Who is Chess Piece?

Here’s what we know about Chess Piece: Introduced by Nikki Glaser, who calls the mystery singer her “most fashion-forward friend,” Chess Piece says they landed a “leading role that changed my game,” but also says they’ve “felt like a pawn” at times and has been doubted their whole life, including when it comes to singing, something they absolutely love doing.

Why it’s definitely Laverne Cox: As a red-carpet fixture and avowed Mugler stan, Cox certainly earns the “fashion forward” label, and it’s fair to say her role as Orange Is the New Black’s Sophia changed the game, leading to Cox becoming the first transgender person nominated for an acting Emmy and to be immortalized as a Barbie. She’s also posted about how she loves singing, even if it’s not her final calling.

Why it might not be Laverne Cox: It is. She was unmasked at the end of the “Barbie Week” episode.

Who is Dust Bunny?

Here’s what we know about Dust Bunny: It’s pretty clear from the get-go that Dust Bunny has lived a life. They’ve worked with Anne Hathaway, David Bowie, Marlon Brando, and ambassador Dick Van Dyke, and at some point they went from being a coffee boy to a stand-in to having a “face for TV.” They also have some connection to both earthquakes and ice skates.

Why it’s definitely Andy Richter: Admittedly, the three celebrities mentioned in the clue clip threw us for a loop, but once we figured out that the earthquake clip pointed to the Richter scale, everything fell into place. Richter was in both Blades Of Glory and Talladega Nights, which would explain the ice skate and checkered flag, and his sidekick work on the various Conan shows has placed him firmly in the path of all manner of celebrities. He was also briefly in Scary Movie 2 with Marlon Brando, though the Godfather actor dropped out because of health reasons and his scenes were reshot with James Woods.

Why is might not be Andy Richter: It is. He was unmasked at the end of “Sports Night.”

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Group A

Who is Buffalo?

Here’s what we know about Buffalo: While the show initially teases Buffalo as just one person, it’s quickly revealed that the “buffalo” is actually plural, indicating three members of a herd. When they’re introduced by “ambassador” and friend Nick Lachey, there’s talk of “roach-filled beds at night and practicing at bus stops,” pictures of both Betty and Vanna White, and a suggestion that they’ve been on “two of the biggest sitcoms of all time.” There are also nods to some sort of Walk of Fame, a slot-machine jackpot, and a crown. And, though this is no help at all, Lachey says that the Buffalo are “always the center of attention at my epic Super Bowl parties.” In the second episode, we learn that they “found each other along the way” and that some people think they’re corny, but also that they’re both rich and associated with the word “Motown.”

Why it’s definitely Boyz II Men: A sort of corny vocal group that’s rich and associated with Motown? That could only be Boyz II Men. They have a star on the Walk of Fame, they just wrapped a brief Vegas run (featuring Masked Singer judge Robin Thicke, who’s absolutely convinced it’s not them), they performed during the Super Bowl halftime show way back when, and member Wanya Morris was in a weird insurance-sponsored “supergroup” with Lachey last year. They’ve also appeared on a number of sitcoms, including The Fresh Prince, Moesha, and How I Met Your Mother.

Why it might not be Boyz II Men: Both Jenny McCarthy and Rita Ora seem to think it could be B2K, citing the possible presence of Omarion, a singer who’s already been on The Masked Singer and who absolutely hasn’t starred in any incredibly popular sitcoms, save a couple guest appearances on The Bernie Mac Show and Grown-ish. Rita Ora also suggests that it could be Earth, Wind & Fire, a notion so absurd we’re just going to reject it outright. Other guesses bandied around include 112 and Big Time Rush, both of which seem possible but also just don’t really fit the clues quite as well as Boyz II Men.

Who is Woodpecker?

Here’s what we know about Woodpecker: Introduced by ambassador Jenifer Lewis, who’s known Woodpecker “since her start,” this masked contestant is small and seemingly female and says she’s both a mogul and a “chic CEO” before dropping that she’s also friends with Beyoncé. She was a child actor and she’s on the show, she says, because she is “striving to be the youngest billionaire.”

Why it’s definitely Marsai Martin: At just 20 years old, Marsai Martin has already lived a very long and productive Hollywood life. She starred alongside Lewis on Black-ish, has received six NAACP Image and two SAG Award nominations, and has produced or executive-produced multiple projects. She has a first-look production deal with Universal, appeared in Good Burger 2, and once told BET that she’d “like to be the youngest billionaire or trillionaire.”

Why it might not be Marsai Martin: It is. She was unmasked midway through the “Soundtrack Of Our Lives” episode.

Who is Leaf Sheep?

Here’s what we know about Leaf Sheep: Introduced by former Denver Bronco Demarcus Ware (last season’s the Koala), Leaf Sheep is referred to as “the GOAT,” though he says “these days, I’m a little sluggish, but you should have seen me in my prime.” He’s “topped the charts” and “revived a franchise,” and he is somehow linked to both a cowboy-hat-wearing seahorse and a quarter. He’s also a pretty bad singer.

Why it’s definitely John Elway: Given that we’re looking for someone who’s older, played quarterback in an NFL team associated with either a cowboy or a horse, and who probably can’t sing a lick, our minds go right to former Denver Broncos QB John Elway. While you could argue that the 10-6 Broncos were doing okay before Elway’s arrival in 1983, they were sort of in the tank in the mid-to-late ’00s before Elway signed on as GM and brought Peyton Manning in as QB, a move that led to the team ultimately going to the Super Bowl.

Why it might not be John Elway: It is. His lackluster vocal performance landed him in the bottom in the season premiere, leading to his unmasking.

Who is Showbird?

Here’s what we know about Showbird: Introduced by good friend Joel McHale, who’s never actually been a Masked Singer contestant but who likes to give judge Ken Jeong a fair amount of shit, Showbird was a “tomboy growing up” and admits to being into nerdy stuff, like LEGO and Comic-Con. She says she’s been in some of the biggest blockbuster movies ever, and there’s a golden gavel in her intro video, suggesting she’s some sort of judge. In the second episode, she says she met the love of her life only recently, saying he encouraged her to follow her long-dormant passion for singing.

Why it’s definitely Yvette Nicole Brown: First of all: Just listen to her. That’s 100 percent Yvette Nicole Brown’s distinctive voice. Second, there’s the link to both McHale and Jeong, whom she starred alongside in Community. And third and fourthly, there are the Hollywood clues, since she notably played Judge Anita Harper on A Black Lady Sketch Show and had roles in Tropic Thunder, Avengers: Endgame, and (500) Days of Summer, among other projects. The recently engaged Lego superfan is also a Comic-Con regular who’s moderated more than one big Hall H panel.

Why it might not be Yvette Nicole Brown: It is. She was unmasked at the end of episode two.

Who is the Ship?

Here’s what we know about the Ship: Clad in a sort of steampunk schooner look, the Ship gets her props from Jewel, who has apparently been friends with her for years and years. (She’s connected to Melissa Etheridge somehow as well.) The Ship says she found singing after an injury forced her to the sidelines during high school, but that once she did, her “career set sail at a rapid clip.” Somewhere in the middle, though, she “lost control, became lost at sea, and felt forgotten.” She’s turned it around since and now has “the career [she’s] always wanted.” The Ship also seems to be a professional singer, given how well she tackles “Pompeii,” by Bastille, with an impressive bit of alto vibrato.

Why it’s definitely Paula Cole: The cowboy hat in the first episode got us thinking about the “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone” singer, and a quick Google proves that Cole was, like the Ship says, president of her high-school class, a cheerleader, and even prom queen. Cole is also a classically trained jazz singer, which could account for why the Ship delivers such a stellar vocal performance each and every week. Add to that the fact that Cole won the Best New Artist Grammy in 1998, as referenced in her time capsule, and we’re almost positive this guess is a winner.