The Shocking Reveal: 5 Biggest Clues That Proved Strawberry Shortcake Was AJ Michalka On The Masked Singer Season 12

The Masked Singer Season 12 delivered one of its most surprising and sweetest reveals when the adorable Strawberry Shortcake costume was finally lifted. Fans and panelists alike were left stunned—or perhaps deeply satisfied—to discover the celebrity behind the mask was none other than actress and musician AJ Michalka, best known for her work as one half of the pop-rock duo Aly & AJ and her long-running role on *The Goldbergs*. The reveal on the Semi-Finals episode, which aired in December 2024, confirmed weeks of intense fan speculation.

This season, which saw the introduction of new panelist Rita Ora, was packed with challenging clues, but Strawberry Shortcake’s journey was a masterclass in misdirection and subtle hints. She managed to charm her way to a third-place finish, showcasing a powerful vocal range that many only associated with her acting career.

AJ Michalka: Full Biography and Career Highlights

Amanda Joy Michalka, known professionally as AJ Michalka, is an American actress, singer, and songwriter. Her career spans over two decades, covering major milestones in music, film, and television.

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• Full Name: Amanda Joy Michalka
• Date of Birth: April 10, 1991
• Place of Birth: Torrance, California, U.S.
• Musical Duo: Aly & AJ (with older sister Alyson "Aly" Michalka)
• Music Career Highlights:
  • Released the Platinum-selling album *Into the Rush* (2005).
  • Achieved massive commercial success with the single "Potential Breakup Song" (2007).
  • Briefly rebranded as 78violet (2009).
  • Experienced a major career resurgence with the critically acclaimed album *A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun* (2021).
• Major Television Roles:
  • Lainey Lewis in the ABC sitcom *The Goldbergs* (2013–2023).
  • Lainey Lewis (lead role) in *The Goldbergs* spin-off series *Schooled* (2019–2020).
  • Catrina in the Disney Channel Original Movie *Cow Belles* (2006).
  • Voice of Stevonnie in the animated series *Steven Universe*.
• Film Roles: *The Lovely Bones* (2009), *Secretariat* (2010), and *Grace Unplugged* (2013).

The Sweetest Surprise: Why Strawberry Shortcake Was a Perfect Fit

The Strawberry Shortcake costume was one of Season 12’s most memorable and visually striking looks. Its bright, cheerful aesthetic and sweet demeanor perfectly masked the powerful, experienced voice underneath. The show’s producers often choose costumes that reflect a pivotal moment or a major aspect of the celebrity's career, and Strawberry Shortcake was no exception for AJ Michalka.

The costume’s inherent "sweetness" played into AJ’s early Disney Channel roots, where she and her sister Aly Michalka first gained fame. However, the energy and vocal prowess she displayed during performances like "Potential Breakup Song" (a nod to her own hit single) and "I Hate Myself for Loving You" by Joan Jett revealed the pop-rock edge of her Aly & AJ career. This duality made her a formidable competitor, ultimately earning her third place behind the Buffalos (Boyz II Men) and Wasp (Mario).

AJ Michalka’s participation was also nearly a duo performance. She revealed in post-show interviews that her sister, Aly, was initially supposed to join her, which would have made for an unprecedented duo costume reveal. The fact that she performed solo, however, allowed her to step into the spotlight and prove her incredible vocal talent independently.

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The 5 Definitive Clues That Cracked Strawberry Shortcake's Identity

While the panel—including veteran judges Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, and Ken Jeong—threw out guesses ranging from Joey King to Emily Osment, the hardcore fans quickly pieced together the puzzle. Here are the five most definitive clues that pointed directly to AJ Michalka.

1. The Masked Ambassador: Hayley Orrantia

This was arguably the most direct and crucial clue. The “Masked Ambassador” for Strawberry Shortcake was Hayley Orrantia, who is best known for playing Erica Goldberg on *The Goldbergs*. AJ Michalka co-starred with Orrantia for years as Lainey Lewis, Barry Goldberg's on-again, off-again girlfriend, on both *The Goldbergs* and its spin-off *Schooled*. The appearance of a direct co-star was a massive giveaway that only a few celebrities could match.

2. The Mouse Ears

During Peanuts Night, one of the visual clues presented was a pair of mouse ears. Strawberry Shortcake explained that “mouse ears were my first big break.” This is a clear reference to AJ Michalka's early career on the Disney Channel. The Michalka sisters starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie *Cow Belles* and were staples of the network's music and programming in the mid-2000s, solidifying the Disney connection.

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3. The Miley Cyrus Connection

In one clue package, Strawberry Shortcake stated: “Miley has always been in my corner. She was even by my side when I made my debut.” This refers to Miley Cyrus, another Disney Channel star of the same era. AJ and Aly Michalka were friends with Cyrus during their early Hollywood years, and the reference points to the tight-knit circle of young stars who debuted around the same time on the network.

4. The "Potential Breakup Song" Hint

While performing, Strawberry Shortcake sang "Potential Breakup Song," a track that is, in fact, the most famous and iconic hit single by Aly & AJ. This was a blatant, unmissable auditory clue that immediately narrowed the celebrity pool down to the two Michalka sisters. Since Aly had recently had a baby, the focus shifted entirely to AJ.

5. The "Spin-Off Star" Clue

Several clues alluded to a celebrity who "had a huge hit, then got their own spin-off." AJ Michalka’s character, Lainey Lewis, was a main cast member on *The Goldbergs* before getting her own dedicated spin-off series, *Schooled*, which she led for two seasons. This specific career trajectory is unique and perfectly matched AJ Michalka’s television resume.

AJ Michalka’s Impact and The Future of Aly & AJ

AJ Michalka's third-place finish on *The Masked Singer* Season 12 served as a powerful reminder of her vocal talent, which has sometimes been overshadowed by her successful acting career. Her performances were consistently praised by the judges, with many calling her one of the best voices of the season.

Her time on the show was a strategic move that brought renewed attention to the Aly & AJ duo, who have seen a massive resurgence in popularity in recent years, particularly with a new generation discovering their music through platforms like TikTok. The sisters continue to actively record and tour, solidifying their status as pop-rock icons.

For fans who followed the clues and guessed correctly, the reveal was a sweet victory. For those who were surprised, it was a delightful introduction to the multi-talented Amanda Joy Michalka, a true triple threat who can seamlessly transition from a beloved sitcom star to a Platinum-selling musician and a top-three finisher on one of television's most popular reality competitions.