First contestant eliminated on The Masked Singer season 12

The first contestant eliminated from the latest season of 'The Masked Singer' was Leaf Sheep, who performed Tim McGraw's hit 'I Like It, I Love It.' The elimination took place on a Wednesday night, marking the beginning of the competition's journey for the season. The celebrity behind the mask was revealed to be John Elway, a former NFL quarterback who had not been in the public eye since his role with the Broncos ended in April 2023. Elway expressed that participating in the show was a significant step outside his comfort zone, as he had never been comfortable singing in front of an audience. Despite his self-acknowledged lack of singing talent, he felt a sense of accomplishment for having taken part in the competition. He was motivated by the desire to entertain his ten grandchildren, hoping they would enjoy seeing their 'poppy' on the show. During the episode, the panelists made various guesses about Leaf Sheep's identity, with Robin Thicke suggesting Troy Aikman, Rita Ora guessing Billy Bob Thornton, and Jenny McCarthy thinking it might be Tom Brady. Elway's participation was a personal challenge, and he reflected on the experience positively, despite being eliminated early. He encouraged others who might be approached to join the show to embrace the opportunity, emphasizing the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone. Elway's experience serves as a reminder that taking risks can lead to personal growth and memorable moments, even if the outcome isn't what one initially hoped for.