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A friend of Beyoncé enters the stage

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the premiere of the 12th season of The masked singer.

William Shatner, who starred as Knight in Season 8, kicked off a season that seems out of this world. The Masked Singer on Wednesday, September 25th.

Nick Cannon returned for season 12 as host along with judges Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Rita Ora and Robin Thicke.

Ora, 33, opened the show with her version of “Who Can it Be Now?” by Men at Work.

Cannon, 43, said that every undercover celebrity has a Masked Singer Ambassador, a former contestant who has been in contact with the newcomer and could provide some clues about the mysterious singer.

First, Nick Lachey – Piglet, winner of season 5 – introduced Buffalo.

“The buffalo that grew up in the permeable grasslands had a tough time: They slept in beds filled with cockroaches at night and practiced at bus stops during the day,” Lachey, 50, said in Buffalo's clue package.

Buffalo appears in season 12 of “The Masked Singer.”

Michael Becker/FOX


Buffalo said they got their “big break in a mass casting” and starred in “two of the greatest sitcoms of all time.”

The package also featured Betty White and Vanna White, as well as a football player and a movie role.

Buffalo took on “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” by Cutting Room and surprised the audience when two more Buffaloes came on stage during the performance.

After each performance, each participant received a gift from his Masked Ambassador, which served as an additional clue: Buffalo received a crown.

The judges of “The Masked Singer” (from left) Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong and Rita Ora.

Michael Becker/FOX


“We are experiencing something great,” Ora said.

The jury picked B2K, Earth, Wind & Fire and the rest of 98 Degrees for Buffalo.

This was followed by “Woodpecker” with an introduction by Miss Cleocatra, aka Jenifer Lewis, from season 11.

“She was called a mogul, a fancy CEO, and then she became friends with Beyoncé,” Lewis, 67, said in Woodpecker's clue package. “That bird is a villain!”

Woodpecker appears in season 12 of “The Masked Singer”.

Michael Becker/FOX


Woodpecker said she was “trying to become the youngest billionaire” and showed a sign that read “Family,” “SAT,” and “Next.”

The bird belted out “Flowers” ​​by Miley Cyrus and received a world record tip.

The judges thought Woodpecker could be Cardi B, Keke Palmer or Willow Smith.

Next, Leaf Sheep took the stage and revealed a connection to Koala from Season 11, former NFL player DeMarcus Ware.

“Since you move in the same circles, I think your glory days are still ahead of you,” Ware, 42, told Leaf Sheep.

Leaf Sheep appears in season 12 of “The Masked Singer”.

Michael Becker/FOX


The bushy-haired sheep said in his clue package, which included a seahorse in a cowboy hat, a quarter and a No. 1, that he had “reinvented a franchise.”

“I’m a little sluggish at the moment, but you should have seen me in my prime,” Leaf Sheep added.

Leaf Sheep put his own spin on Tim McGraw's “I Like It, I Love It.”

His additional reference to a Hall of Fame trophy led the jury to believe that Leaf Sheep could be Troy Aikman, Tom Brady or John Elway.

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Showbird kept the show going with some help from Masked Ambassador Joel McHale.

The Dodo described herself in her clue package as “a total tomboy and a total nerd” and said she had bared her soul in “some of the biggest blockbusters of all time.” The package also included a gavel and a book called “Advanced Singing 401.”

Showbird appears in season 12 of “The Masked Singer”.

Michael Becker/FOX


Showbird belted out “Just Fine” by Mary J. Blige and picked up some popcorn for good measure.

Possible identities for Showbird included Taraji P. Henson, Jennifer Hudson and Kerry Washington.

The ship was the last to arrive and boasted a connection to season six winner Jewel, also known as the Queen of Hearts.

“I know how quickly the tide can turn from anger to calm,” Ship said in her clue package, adding: “My career was taking off. I had huge hits, I was making history, but I lost control. I was lost at sea.”

Now Ship said she has “finally had the career I always wanted.”

The package also included a wanted sign and crossed antennas.

Ship covered “Pompeii” by Bastille and received a silver cowboy hat as the last clue of the evening.

The panel suggested that Ship could be Enya, Cyndi Lauper or Sarah McLachlan.

After the judges and the studio audience voted for their favorite performance of the evening, Cannon announced that Leaf Sheep had received the fewest votes and would therefore give up his masquerade.

As Leaf Sheep came out of the bushes, former Denver Broncos player John Elway appeared.

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The Masked Singer airs Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox.