“The Masked Singer” Season 12 Sees a Beyoncé Pal and 'Baddie' Take the Stage — and 1 All-Star Unmasks

The Fox competition show returned on Wednesday, Sept. 25, with Buffalo, Leaf Sheep, Ship, Showbird and Woodpecker entering the race for the Golden Mask trophy

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the season 12 premiere of The Masked Singer.

William Shatner, who competed as Knight on season 8, kicked off what seems like it will be an out-of-this-world season of The Masked Singer on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

Nick Cannon returned as host for season 12 alongside 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.

Related: Every Winner of 'The Masked Singer': See Which Celebrities Took the Trophy

Cannon, 43, shared that each undercover celebrity would have a Masked Singer Ambassador, a previous contestant connected to the newcomer who would offer up some clues about the mystery singer.

First up, Nick Lachey — season 5 winner Piglet — introduced Buffalo.

“Raised in the porous grasslands, the Buffalo had it tough: sleeping in roach-filled beds at night and practicing at bus stops by day,” Lachey, 50, said in Buffalo’s clue package.

Buffalo said they got a “big break at a cattle call” and starred in “two of the biggest sitcoms of all time.”

The package also showed Betty White and Vanna White, as well as a football player and a roll of film.

Buffalo tackled “(I Just) Died in Your Arms" by Cutting Room and surprised the audience when two more Buffaloes came out during the performance.

After every performance, each contestant received a gift from their Masked Ambassador that served as an extra clue; Buffalo received a crown.

“We’re in the presence of greatness,” Ora said.

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

Woodpecker followed up with an intro from season 11’s Miss Cleocatra, a.k.a. Jenifer Lewis.

“She’s been called a mogul, a chic CEO and she then became friends with Beyoncé,” Lewis, 67, said in Woodpecker’s clue package. “This bird is a baddie!”

Woodpecker shared that she’s “trying to be the youngest billionaire” and showed a sign with family, S.A.T. and “next.”

The bird belted “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus and received a world record clue.

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

Leaf Sheep piled up on the stage next and revealed a connection to season 11’s Koala, former NFL player DeMarcus Ware.

“Based off running in the same circles, I think your glory days are still ahead,” Ware, 42, told Leaf Sheep.

The bushy sheep said in his clue package that featured a seahorse with a cowboy hat, a quarter and a No. 1 that he “reinvented a franchise.”

“These days I’m a little sluggish, but you should’ve seen me in my prime,” Leaf Sheep added.

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

His additional clue of a Hall of Fame trophy made the judges think 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 bird called herself “a total tomboy growing up, and a total nerd” in her clue package and said she bared her soul in “some of the biggest blockbuster movies ever.” The package additionally showed a gavel and an Advanced Singing 401 book.

Showbird belted Mary J. Blige’s “Just Fine” and picked up some popcorn as an extra clue.

Taraji P. Henson, Jennifer Hudson and Kerry Washington arose as possibilities for Showbird’s identity.

Ship sailed up last and boasted a connection to season 6 winner Jewel, aka Queen of Hearts.

“I know how quickly the tides can change from angry to serene on a dime,” Ship said in her clue package, adding, “my career set sailed at a rapid clip. I had massive hits, made history, but I lost control. I became lost at sea.”

Now, Ship said she “finally got the career I’ve always wanted.”

The package also included a wanted sign and crossed antennas.

Ship covered “Pompeii” by Bastille and received a silver cowboy hat as her final clue of the night.

Related: How 'The Masked Singer' Works: All About Fox's Celebrity Singing Competition

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

After the judges and the studio audience voted for their favorite performance of the night, Cannon announced that Leaf Sheep received the fewest votes and would be unmasking.

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

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

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