SPOILER ALERT: Details from Season 12, Episode 11 of "The Masked Singer"

In an electrifying twist, AJ Michalka, known for her musical duo Aly & AJ, took to the stage as Strawberry Shortcake after her sister Aly, who recently welcomed her first child, was unable to join her. Michalka embraced this solo challenge, ultimately revealing herself in a stunning performance in the penultimate episode of the season.

"Initially, we were supposed to do it together, and we thought it would be a blast," Michalka confessed to Variety. "But with Aly's schedule, it became tricky. She was incredibly supportive of me going solo."

This experience marked a significant milestone for Michalka, who had never performed without her sister before. "I wanted to push my boundaries as a solo artist and see how far I could go. I had an amazing time! I, honestly, didn’t expect it to be so challenging to sing while wearing a heavy mask," she shared.

For her final number, Michalka delivered an emotionally charged rendition of “Lose You to Love Me” by Selena Gomez. Earlier in the season, she showcased her versatility with performances of “Slow Burn” by Kacey Musgraves, “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus, and more. While some songs, including Billie Eilish's “What Was I Made For” and Liz Phair’s “Why Can’t I,” were prepped but never performed, Michalka expressed joy in selecting her own tracks: "Choosing songs I felt comfortable with really made me happy."

Among her performances, her favorite was “I Hope You Dance,” a heartfelt dedication to her mother, who stopped singing due to self-doubt. Michalka revealed, "That was my way of encouraging her to reclaim her confidence and share her voice again."

Despite her impressive performances, none of the judges guessed correctly who Strawberry Shortcake really was. Panelists Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Robin Thicke, and Ken Jeong all made their own guesses, but were misled by the clever disguises.

The episode saw Wasp secure the most votes and advance to the finals, leading to a dramatic showdown between Buffalos and Strawberry Shortcake, both performing “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic. Ultimately, it was Buffalos who won the battle, sending Strawberry Shortcake home.

With AJ Michalka’s reveal, the competition narrows down to two final competitors: Buffalos and Wasp. These thrilling semi-final performances showcased the essence of "The Masked Singer," where creativity meets the challenge of anonymity.

As Season 12 of “The Masked Singer” progresses, themes range from celebrating iconic pop culture, like Mattel’s Barbie's anniversary, to tributes to music legends. New elements have been introduced, including clues embedded within song choices and costumes, ensuring the excitement continues to build toward the finale.

This season features an impressive lineup of 15 celebrity contestants, each donning imaginative costumes, including: “Ship,” “Leaf Sheep,” “Woodpecker,” “Chess Piece,” “Bluebell,” and more. The competition remains fierce as viewers eagerly anticipate who will claim the ultimate title this year.

Stay tuned for the final showdown, where only the most talented will reveal the mask and take home the coveted crown on “The Masked Singer!” Who do you think will win?