Jana Kramer, the actress from One Tree Hill and country music artist with multiple Billboard hits, was revealed as Royal Knight on The Masked Singer Season 12's November 28, 2024 episode. Her unmasking came during Group C finals on Peanuts Night after performing Madonna's "Holiday."
The 40-year-old Michigan native, who started her entertainment career with roles in All My Children before gaining fame as Alex Dupre, faced elimination alongside Sherlock Hound. Kramer's participation followed her July 2024 marriage to Allan Russell at Scotland's Carnell Estate and the birth of their son Roman in November 2023.
Jenny McCarthy identified her through a podcast connection, while fellow panelists Ken Jeong, Rita Ora, and Robin Thicke suggested Kelly Ripa, Anna Faris, and Busy Phillips, respectively.
The Masked Singer unmasks Jana Kramer as Royal Knight during Peanuts Night
Royal Knight's final moments on The Masked Singer Season 12 brought a striking rendition of Madonna's "Holiday." Judge Robin Thicke appreciated her smooth, sultry vocals during the performance.
The show's format required a studio audience vote, which resulted in her departure alongside Sherlock Hound, later revealed as former baseball player Bronson Arroyo. The competition structure placed her in Group C, where Strawberry Shortcake moved forward to continue in the competition.
Kramer's introduction to The Masked Singer Season 12 started through regular viewing sessions with her family. When she received the participation offer, her husband, Allan Russell, showed initial uncertainty about the masked singing concept. During a couch conversation about joining the cast, Russell asked, "The what?" as Kramer shared her enthusiasm.
The experience connected deeply with her role as a mother, as she watches the show with daughter Jolie and sons Jace and Roman. Her music career, starting after her acting success on One Tree Hill, prepared her for the singing challenge.
The record label originally pushed her to focus solely on music, making her leave the final season of the TV series for a radio tour. She later managed both acting and music careers, leading to multiple successful singles and continued TV appearances. Her personal life saw significant changes in 2024, with her marriage to Russell bringing new happiness after previous relationships.
Competition context
The Group C finals marked a critical point in Season 12's progression. Strawberry Shortcake secured advancement by performing "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack and "Shivers" by Ed Sheeran in the Battle Royale.
The Masked Singer Season 12 Episode 9 structure followed the show's established format, with judges Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora providing feedback after each performance. The Peanuts Night theme added festive elements to the competition, with panelists Rita Ora and Robin Thicke performing "You Make My Dreams Come True."
Notable performances
Among her memorable moments, Kramer performed "When I Look At You" on Miley Cyrus Night, dedicating the song to her husband. She admitted unfamiliarity with the song before the show.
The performance required adjustments, with producers lowering the key to match her vocal range. Through this experience, Kramer gained new respect for Cyrus's vocal abilities. Her time on stage showed her musical growth since her country music beginnings in 2012 with her self-titled debut album.
Upcoming schedule
The Masked Singer Season 12 star maintains an active entertainment career following her Masked Singer appearance. She confirmed multiple movie projects scheduled for 2025, though specific titles remain under wraps. Her music career continues with an upcoming release, "Heart Shift," a collaboration with established country artists Lee Brice, Sarah Brice, and Jerrod Niemann.
The song adds to her musical catalog, which includes previous hits like "Why Ya Wanna" from 2012 and "I Got the Boy" from her second album, "Thirty One," released in 2015. Her entertainment career spans acting roles in various TV shows, including Friday Night Lights, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Dancing with the Stars.
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The Masked Singer continues to air new Season 12 episodes on Fox. The next episode is all set to air on December 4, 2024.
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