AJ Michalka’s Journey After The Masked Singer Season 12: What Happened to the Strawberry Shortcake Star?

AJ Michalka Shines in Season 12 of The Masked Singer
In the twelfth season of The Masked Singer, AJ Michalka, who wowed audiences as Strawberry Shortcake, finished in third place. A prominent figure in both music and acting, AJ is one half of the iconic duo Aly & AJ, celebrated for their chart-topping hit “Potential Breakup Song.”Alongside her sister Aly, AJ has not only captivated music fans but also made her mark in the acting world, starring in popular series like The Goldbergs and its spin-off, Schooled. Michalka’s run on the show saw her compete against notable contestants, including the runner-up Mario (Wasp) and the ultimate champions, Boyz II Men (Buffalos).

Memorable Performances on The Masked Singer

Throughout the season, AJ Michalka delivered some of the most memorable performances in the show’s history, prompting admiration from the judging panel comprised of Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora. Her stunning repertoire featured songs like “Slow Burn”by Kacey Musgraves, Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball,”Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance,””Closer”by Tegan and Sara, and Selena Gomez’s “Lose You to Love Me.”Michalka’s final performance—a rousing rendition of “Potential Breakup Song”—had the audience on their feet, singing and dancing along.

Aly & AJ Set to Release a New Album

AJ’s Enthusiasm for Silver Deliverer

Following her spectacular stint on The Masked Singer, AJ has been hard at work on a new project with Aly—an album titled Silver Deliverer. The duo finalized the recording just before AJ joined the competition. After her unmasking, AJ disclosed that they had paused their musical endeavors since 2017, but are now poised for a significant comeback. This upcoming album is set to join their highly regarded discography, which includes five previous studio albums: Into the Rush (2005), Acoustic Hearts of Winter (2006), Insomniatic (2007), A Touch of the Beat… (2021), and With Love From (2023). Presently, Silver Deliverer is in post-production.

In a candid conversation with People, AJ expressed her excitement: “I am so excited. We finished recording right before I went on to do Masked Singer, so I felt very vocally warmed up.”She shared that they had completed 15 songs and were eager to enter post-production, which includes mixing and mastering their collection. While an official release date for Silver Deliverer has yet to be announced, the anticipation surrounding the album is palpable.

Exciting Tour Plans for Fall 2025

Aly & AJ’s Fall 2025 Tour

In addition to their album launch, Aly & AJ are gearing up for an extensive tour in 2025, coinciding with the release of Silver Deliverer. AJ noted, “We haven’t set a release date yet, but we’re definitely going to tour a lot next fall. It’s going to be a really big year for the band. I couldn’t be more proud of this record. It is my favorite thing we’ve ever made, hands down.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of this record. It is my favorite thing we’ve ever made, hands down.”

AJ’s journey on The Masked Singer as Strawberry Shortcake has solidified her status as one of the show’s standout performers. A particularly striking moment was during her performance in the Smack Royale, where she showcased her vocal prowess by harmonizing to “Counting Stars”with the legendary Boyz II Men. Her inspiring performances have left an indelible mark on fans and critics alike, making her a memorable contestant in the series’ history.

Fans should also mark their calendars, as The Masked Singer season 13 is set to premiere on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 8 p.m. EST on FOX.

Sources: The Masked Singer/YouTube, People, The Masked Singer/Instagram

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