WARNING! THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS POSSIBLE SPOILERS ABOUT THE MASKED SINGER SEASON 12!The Masked Singerseason 12 Group B contestant Wasp has been one of the frontrunners to win the whole competition, and there are several clues that all but prove his identity as R&B singer Mario. The Masked Singer season 12 welcomed back host Nick Cannon, along with panelists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora. Wasp was one of the 15 contestants this season, and has now made it all the way to the Final 3.
During The Masked Singer season 12 semi-finals, Wasp will compete against the Buffalos and Strawberry Shortcake for one of the two spots in the season finale. Throughout the season so far, the panelists have guessed many different singers for Wasp's identity, including Bruno Mars, Frank Ocean, and Maxwell (Jenny); Jason Derulo (Robin and Jenny); Craig David and Eric Benét (Robin); Daveed Diggs and Usher (Ken); and Taye Diggs, Miguel, and Mario (Rita). Here are eight clues that prove that Rita is most likely right, and Wasp is Mario.
1 Wasp's Masked Ambassador Was Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo Revealed His Connection To Wasp
During The Masked Singer season 12, the show introduced Masked Ambassadors for the first time in its history. The Masked Ambassadors were Masked Singer alums who had special connections to the newest contestants. Each competitor had a different Masked Ambassador who shared important clues about them, the most important of which was the Ambassador themselves.
The Masked Singer season 12 Group B contestant Wasp's Masked Ambassador was season 10 winner, singer Ne-Yo, who competed as Cow. He appeared on Sports Night, when Wasp made his debut. Ne-Yo revealed that he's known Wasp since he was fresh on the scene. He also shared that Wasp gained huge success by taking his words of wisdom. Ne-Yo also shared that he thought that Wasp had what it took to snag the Golden Mask Trophy, just like he did in season 10. This was the first clue that Wasp was Mario because Ne-Yo wrote Mario's hit 2004 song, "Let Me Love You."
2 Wasp's Music Was Referenced In His Clues
The Titles Of Many Of His Albums & Songs Were Mentioned
Throughout The Masked Singer season 12 so far, Wasp's clue packages have had many references to Mario's music in the form of visual clues. During Wasp's Sports Night clue package, Ne-Yo appeared in a comic book that had the word, "BOOM!," written in it. Mario had a single called, "Boom." In addition, the planet Mars was shown, which was a reference to Mario's 2020 EP titled Closer to Mars, which has a single called, "Mars."
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During Barbie Night, Wasp held a silver stethoscope, which most likely referred to Mario's song, "Crying Out for Me," which has the lyric, "I can hear your heart crying out for me." Wasp's quarterfinals clue package included him riding on a motorcycle on a highway. The motorcycle and road clues could be a reference to Mario's 2007 album, Go. As the semi-finals approach, Wasp's clue packages will surely have even more references to his songs and albums.
3 Wasp Is A Platinum-Selling Artist
Wasp Revealed That He's Hit A Million
During The Masked Singer season 12 '60s Night, an invention from the 1960s was a clue for each contestant after they performed. Wasp's was an ATM machine that spit out million-dollar bills with Robin's face on them. The panelists got a kick out of this funny clue and laughed about it. However, it was actually a really big hint about Wasp's true identity.
Wasp explained that, just like those bills, he's also hit a million. Mario's albums, D.N.A. and Turning Point, are both platinum-certified, which means that they sold at least a million copies. It was obvious that Wasp was most likely a superstar singer, but up to that point, it was unclear just how big he was. The million dollar clue confirmed that he was platinum-selling, which definitely adds to the list of things that prove that he's Mario.
4 Wasp's Hometown Was Referenced In A Clue Package
A Red Crab Represented Where He's From
During Barbie Night, Wasp revealed some details about his childhood, including the fact that he lived with over a dozen family members. He said that all of them were hustlers. Wasp shared that there was so much noise and love in his house, but the one thing that he was missing was his dad. He said that, without his father's guidance, he felt like didn't know his purpose, so when he went out into the world as a young wasp with big dreams, he had to learn to stand on his own.
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When Wasp finally made it big and came back home, his whole family was there, including, much to his surprise, his dad. When they spoke one-on-one, his father told him that he was proud of him, which made him feel as though he had limitless potential. Although this story is one that many people have experienced, the clue that solidified that it was Mario's story was when Wasp picked up a red crab. The crab represented Mario's hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. Mario's father is Derryl Barrett Sr., a singer in a gospel group called Reformation.
Wasp Lost His Mother Years Ago
During The Masked Singer season 12 '60s Night, Wasp shared the story of his beloved mother, who was his hero. He shared that she was creative and loved Halloween. Wasp said that his mother was his protector who'd fight off invisible monsters under his bed, and neighborhood kids who tried to steal his bike. However, as he got older, his mother faced what he called her darkest battle yet.
Wasp revealed that he tried everything that he could to save her, but no amount of money or love could do it. When she passed away, he thought he'd never recover. He shared that he still feels the sting of the loss of his mom, but he thinks about her all the time. Wasp concluded by saying that him being on The Masked Singerwould've brought her so much joy, and she'd be so proud of him.
This clue is a reference to Mario because, in 2007, MTV aired a special called, I Won't Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom, which was about his mother Shawntia Hardaway's heroin addiction, and how Mario tried to help her. She passed away in 2017.
6 Wasp's Cousin Revealed That He's a Versatile Performer
Wasp Is An Actor As Well As A Singer
Throughout The Masked Singer season 12, Wasp's clues have revealed that he's not only a singer, but an actor as well. During the quarterfinals, Wasp received a phone call from his best friend and cousin. His cousin said that Wasp never ceased to amaze him. He told him that he was capable of so many things that it was ridiculous. Wasp's cousin said that, from putting out hits, to live theater, to starring in one of the biggest shows of the decade, he was a true star.
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In addition to being a successful R&B singer, Mario is an actor who's starred in Rent: Live as Benny, which is what the live theater clue referred to. Mario also performed live on Dancing With The Stars season 6, with his partner, Karina Smirnoff. They placed fifth in the competition. Mario also starred as Devon in Empire, which was one of the biggest shows of the decade. He also had a recurring role in All the Queen's Men season 4. Mario is also a movie star who's appeared in Step Up and Freedom Writers.
7 Wasp Is Currently In A Relationship
Wasp Learned About Love
During The Masked Singer season 12 quarterfinals, Wasp revealed that, because he grew up without a consistent definition of what true love looked like, he was left to rely on the stories and the songs surrounding him, including rom-coms and happily-ever-afters. As he rode a motorcycle on a highway, he shared that he lived life in the fastlane, thinking that it would be his destination. However, Wasp acknowledged that love is different in real life.
Wasp shared that he failed at love more than a few times, and he used to think that he didn't even know if he'd see the signs if he did get stung by the love bug. However, in this moment, he has someone right alongside him, so he'll see what the future holds. Wasp thought that maybe he was on the right track. Mario is currently in a relationship, so this is another clue that Wasp is him.
8 Wasp Sounds Exactly Like Mario
Wasp Has A Phenomenal Vocal Range
Throughout The Masked Singer season 12 so far, Wasp has had some mind-blowing performances that prove that he's Mario. During Sports Night, he sang a spectacular version of "Rock Your Body" by Justin Timberlake. He followed that with his moving Barbie Night performance of "Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato. During the Group B finals on '60s Night, he sang a chill-inducing rendition of "Ain't No Way" by Aretha Franklin. During the Group B finals, Wasp and Goo competed in the Battle Royale, during which they both sang sensational versions of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye.
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Wasp won the Battle Royale, and advanced to the quarterfinals, while Goo was saved with the Ding Dong Keep It On Bell. During that round, he blew everyone away with his unbelievable version of "Standing Next to You" by Jungkook. Not only does Wasp sing impressively, but he includes dance moves in his performances. His falsetto and runs can only be done by a select few, and Mario is definitely one of the singers who's talented enough to perform that way.
The Masked Singer season 12 contestant Wasp has been one of the best who's ever competed on the show. All of his clues point in the direction of Mario, which would make Rita's guess correct. Wasp has been creating a lot of buzz for the show, and he'll most likely easily fly into the season finale, and maybe even take home the Golden Mask Trophy. If he does, it'll be yet another amazing accomplishment for Mario.
The Masked Singer
airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST on FOX.
The Masked Singer is a reality singing competition where celebrities perform in elaborate costumes concealing their identities, with panelists and viewers trying to guess who is behind the mask based on clues provided throughout the show.
Cast Nick Cannon , robin thicke , Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg , Ken Jeong , Nicole Scherzinger , Rita Ora , Joel McHale , Niecy Nash-Betts , Tori Kelly , Leslie Jordan , T-Pain , Brian Austin Green , Mickey Rourke , Bret Michaels , Chloe Kim , Elvis Francois , Bob Saget
Character(s) Host
Release Date January 2, 2019
Seasons 10
Creator(s) Craig Plestis
Production Company Endemol Shine North America, Fox Alternative Entertainment
English (US) ·