Buffalo or wasp named winner

Warning: This story contains spoilers from the season 12 finale The Masked Singer.

Christmas came early for one of them Masked singer finalists!

On Wednesday, December 18, the Buffalos and the Wasp battled it out for the Golden Mask trophy, with judges Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Rita Ora and Robin Thicke helping to decide who would be crowned the king – or kings – of Season 12.

First, Season 5 winner Nick Lachey (aka Piglet) opened the show with “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” as host Nick Cannon, dressed as Santa Claus, handed out gifts to the judges.

Each participant performed two choices, offered a sample of their real voice, and reflected on theirs Masked singer travel.

“This experience has felt like it was made for me, like I’m finally getting the recognition I’ve been longing for,” Wasp said in her final clue packet. “For a long time in this industry I felt undervalued. I started building my empire at a young age, dominating the Billboard charts and collaborating with the best in the business, including a bunch of Masked singer alumni: Lil Wayne, Vanessa Hudgens and of course my ambassador NE-YO, who I have been asking for advice all the time.”

Wasp appears on ‘The Masked Singer’ season 12.

Michael Becker/FOX


Still, Wasp said he felt the world hadn’t seen “how great my talent is.”

“I feel like I’m constantly overlooked at times and like people still see me as the cute little kid with that song,” the bug continued. “They don’t know the depth of my talent.”

Wasp hoped to honor his mother with one Masked singer win. “I feel my mother here with me tonight in spirit, and she gives me wings for the last two performances,” he said. “I hope she’s proud.”

For his first selection, Wasp covered “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars. The judges suggested the Wasp could be Mars, 39, Jason DeRulo, Daveed Diggs, Taye Diggs, Mario, Miguel, Frank Ocean, Anthony Ramos or Usher.

Next, Buffalos said it The Masked Singer helped them “rediscover ourselves and our bond”.

Buffalos appear on ‘The Masked Singer’ season 12.

Michael Becker/FOX


“We had to fight our way out of the hood, we had to overcome the passing of one of the most important people in our lives, and we even had to change our entire sound when we lost a member,” one of the buffalo said in their clue packet.

Another Buffalo said that their time on The Masked Singer “has been for our fans, for our kids, for everyone who stuck with us” over three decades.

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The Buffalos chose “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye for their first song.

“That reach was world class,” Thicke, 47, said.

The panel went through their wide range of guesses for Wasp, which included B2K, Bell Biv DeVoe, Blackstreet, Bone Thungs-N-Harmony, Boyz II Men, Earth, Wind & Fire, Jonas Brothers and Tony! Tony! Tone!

For his second song, Wasp tackled Whitney Houston’s “I’m Your Baby Tonight.” Afterwards, Wasp gave advice to her younger self. “Your wings are like your intuition, trust them,” Wasp said. “Trust your intuition, believe in yourself. When you feel like you don’t have the answers, trust your intuition, they are your wings.”

The Buffalos returned to the stage with Sam Smith’s “Too Good at Goodbyes”.

“The harmonies, they make you feel like you’re walking through the gates of heaven,” Thicke told Buffalos.

The answer made one of the buffalo cry. “This has made me feel like with these guys we can do anything,” he said.

Cannon, 45, called the Dec. 19 finale “probably the most legendary episode of all time.” The Masked Singer before announcing the winner: the Buffalos, the first group to ever win the show.

“Thank you very much,” said one of the buffaloes.

Before the winners could reveal, runner-up Wasp popped off her bug head to reveal “Let Me Love You” singer Mario, 38.

Mario as the Wasp in ‘The Masked Singer’ season 12.

Michael Becker/FOX; Noam Galai/Getty


When the Buffalos returned and took off their masks, Boyz II Men’s Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman appeared.

Boyz II Men as Buffalos on ‘The Masked Singer’ Season 12.

Michael Becker/FOX; Denise Truscello/Getty


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The Masked Singer Season 12 is now streaming on Hulu.