Spoilers for season 12 of “The Masked Singer”: Who are the celebrities?

Photo Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Michael Becker/FOX

This post has been updated with new notes, theories, and eliminations.

When The Masked SingerThe latest season of 2019 begins with a reminder that the show has hosted “186 celebrities over 11 seasons.” This statistic raises the very real question of what counts as “celebrity” status in the world today The Masked Singer, Considering the typical C- to D-list “stars,” the show tends to draw traction these days. If we’re to believe the judges – and nobody really 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 time. And even though, with a few exceptions, no one of this level of fame has ever been exposed, viewers press on, desperate to see who it is WHO?s are revealed every week.

With that in mind – and with the acknowledgment that we have not yet met Season 12 contestants Dust Bunny, Goo, Wasp, Bluebell, Chess Piece, Sherlock Hound, Royal Knight, Macaron, Ice King and Strawberry Shortcake – is Here’s our very scholarly and mostly confident look at who we think the kind of famous contestants will be competing this season The Masked Singer.

Photo: Michael Becker/FOX

Here’s what we know about Buffalo: While the series initially touts Buffalo as just one person, it quickly turns out that “buffalo” is actually plural and indicates three members of a herd. When they are introduced by “ambassador” and friend Nick Lachey, there is talk of “roach-filled beds at night and practicing at bus stops,” pictures of Betty and Vanna White, and the implication that they were at “two” one of the biggest Sitcoms of all time.” There are also allusions to a kind of walk of fame, a jackpot on the slot machine and a crown. And while that’s by no means helpful, Lachey says 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 on the road” and that some people think they’re tacky, but also that they’re both rich and associated with the word “Motown.”

Why it’s definitely Boyz II Men: Some kind of corny singing group that’s rich and associated with Motown? It could only be Boyz II Men. They have a star on the Walk of Fame, they just completed a brief appearance in Las Vegas (with Masked Singer judge Robin Thicke absolutely convinced it’s not them), and member Wanya Morris was most recently with Lachey in a strange insurance-sponsored “supergroup.” Year. They also appeared in a number of sitcoms including The Fresh Prince, MoeshaAnd 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, pointing to the possible presence of Omarion, a singer who was already there The Masked Singer and if you absolutely haven’t starred in any incredibly popular sitcoms, you can save yourself a few guest appearances The Bernie Mac Show And Adult. Rita Ora also suggests that it could be earth, wind and fire, a notion so absurd that we will simply reject it out of hand. Other guesses floating around include “112” and “Big Time Rush,” both of which seem possible, but also don’t fit the clues quite as well as “Boyz II Men.”

Photo: Michael Becker/FOX

This is what we know about the woodpecker: Introduced by Ambassador Jenifer Lewis, who has known Woodpecker “from the beginning,” this masked contestant is short and seemingly female and says she is both a mogul and a “fancy CEO” before revealing that she is also with Beyoncé is friends. She was a child actress and she’s on the show, she says, because she “aspires to be the youngest billionaire.”

Why it’s definitely Marsai Martin: At just 20 years old, Marsai Martin has already had a very long and productive Hollywood life. She played alongside Lewis Blackhas received six NAACP Image and two SAG Award nominations and has produced or executive produced several projects. She has a first-look production deal with Universal and once told BET that she would “love to be the youngest billionaire or trillionaire.”

Why it might not be Marsai Martin: It could be Chloe or Halle Bailey, both of whom are particularly friends with Beyoncé and could qualify here. Then again, they’re probably way too popular for this show, so we’ll stick with Ms. Martin.

Photo: Michael Becker/FOX

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

Why it’s definitely John Elway: Given that we’re looking for someone who is older, has played quarterback on an NFL team, is associated with either a cowboy or a horse, and who probably can’t sing a lick, we immediately think of the former quarterback of the Denver Broncos, John Elway. While one could argue that the 10-6 Broncos were doing well before Elway’s arrival in 1983, they were in the tank, so to speak, in the mid-to-late 2000s before Elway hired as GM and brought in Peyton Manning as QB. That move ultimately led to results helped the team reach the Super Bowl.

Why it might not be John Elway: It is. His lackluster singing performance put him on the back foot in the season premiere, which led to his unmasking.

Photo: Michael Becker/FOX

Here’s what we know about Showbird: Introduced by Joel McHale, a good friend who never actually was one Masked singer Showbird is a contestant, but he likes to give judge Ken Jeong a lot of shit. He was a “tomboy growing up” and admits to being interested in nerdy things like LEGO and Comic-Con. She says she has appeared in some of the biggest blockbuster films of all time, and a golden gavel can be seen in her introductory video, suggesting that she is some sort of judge. In the second episode, she explains that she recently met the love of her life and that he encouraged her to pursue her long-dormant passion for singing.

Why it’s definitely Yvette Nicole Brown: First of all, just listen to her. This is 100 percent Yvette Nicole Brown’s unmistakable voice. Secondly, there is the connection to McHale and Jeong, in which she starred Community. And third and fourth, there are the Hollywood references, as she notably played judge Anita Harper A Black Lady sketch show and had roles in Tropical thunder, Avengers: EndgameAnd (500) summer daysamong other projects. The recently engaged Lego superfan is also a regular at Comic-Con and has moderated more than one large panel in Hall H.

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

Photo: Michael Becker/FOX

Here’s what we know about the ship: The ship, dressed in a kind of steampunk schooner look, receives its props from Jewel, with whom it has apparently been friends for many years. (Somehow she also has a connection to Melissa Etheridge.) The Ship says she found singing after an injury forced her to the sidelines during high school, but when she did, her “career took off.” “Rapidly out to sea.” However, somewhere in the middle she “lost control, got lost at sea and felt forgotten.” She has since turned things around and now has “the career she always wanted.” The Ship also seems to be a professional singer, considering how well she tackles “Pompeii” by Bastille with impressive alto vibrato.

Why it’s definitely Paula Cole: The cowboy hat in the first episode made us think of the “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone” singer, and a quick look at Google proves that Cole was, as the ship says, president of her high school class, a cheerleader, and even a prom queen . Cole is also a classically trained jazz singer, which might explain why the ship puts on such an outstanding vocal performance every week.

Why it might not be Paula Cole: There is a whole list of singers from the ’80s and ’90s that you could name as possible options, including Joan Osborne, Meredith Brooks, Sarah McLachlan, Tracy Bonham, Suzanne Vega, Lisa Loeb and Shawn Colvin. The cowboy hat could even indicate someone like the infamous shit-starter Tanya Tucker.