“Pinoy pride” has never looked this bright, hopeful, and golden. There are many instances in which Filipinos have raised our flag on the global stage. One of which is 27-year-old Matty Juniosa and his phenomenal audition on the latest season of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT), which was a dream come true in every aspect.
On March 29, 2026, Matty swept the show’s judges and crowd off their feet with a soulful and show-stopping rendition of the late Prince’s hit song, “Purple Rain.”
Photo: Matty Juniosa/Instagram
His world-class vocals touched everyone’s hearts most powerfully. He even earned a much-deserved standing ovation, and most notably, a Golden Buzzer from none other than Simon Cowell, which has given Matty a secure spot in the competition’s live semi-finals.
If there’s anything that Matty’s BGT audition has proven, it’s that he has all the makings of a superstar. As early as now, we can’t help but cheer on our kababayan (and his “Filipino throat chakra”) and his upcoming performances in the competition.
Let’s get to know Matty more through his utterly “golden” moment, which we’ll definitely look back on with pride in the years to come.
Unparalleled Energy and Positive Vibes
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Filipinos are known to carry their bright smiles wherever they go, and Matty is no exception. He graced the stage beaming with confidence and contagious energy despite the “surreal” experience.
“This is crazy, I can’t believe you guys are real people!” he told the judges candidly. He could hardly believe that Simon Cowell was sitting right in front of him.
Matty grew up in the Philippines, but now lives in Glasgow, Scotland. When BGT judge Alesha Dixon asked if he had a day job, he answered, “I do! I work as a part-time waiter.” BGT is his opportunity to finally work towards his winning moment as a singer, which he fell short of in previous competitions. Beyond the show, he also aspires to “conquer the world,” perform, and make music for large audiences every day.
Matty’s presence in BGT alone is already a major win for Filipinos, especially members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The resounding praise for his cover of “Purple Rain” makes the moment all the more precious and unforgettable for anyone with dreams as big as his.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Audition
Matty’s BGT audition was nothing short of exceptional, and we couldn’t be prouder of him for representing the Philippines in such an uplifting way. The judges, who taught the same, couldn’t get enough of his crystal clear vocals and high notes.
Alesha commended Matty’s range, likening his performance to “discovering a new restaurant and needing to return for more.” Alesha’s fellow judge, Amanda Holden, agreed, saying, “It was an amazing audition. I can see how badly you want this. I can see how much passion you have, so well done.”
For YouTube star and BGT judge KSI, Matty’s “outstanding personality” was also worth noting. He said, “As soon as you took that microphone off the stand, you became a superstar. You absolutely crushed it!”
Then came Simon Cowell, who couldn’t help but rave over Matty’s artistry. He told him, “If others put eight spoons of sugar in their tea, you put about 10,000. This might be the biggest reaction we’ve had for anyone [on BGT]!” The audience cheered in agreement, prompting Simon to press his Golden Buzzer for Matty.
Simon then revealed that “Purple Rain” is one of his favorite songs, thanking Matty for his heartfelt cover.
As Matty prepares for the competition’s next rounds, it’s safe to say that he’ll remember the judges’ meaningful words for the rest of his life.
No Stranger to Singing Competitions
Matty is now making headlines as one of BGT’s most recent Golden Buzzer auditionees. But did you know that he joined the first season of Idol Philippines seven years prior?
In 2019, he auditioned for the local competition and shared his struggles growing up queer. It took him a long time to embrace his fully realized self, but he eventually did so through singing. Vice Ganda and the rest of the Idol Philippines judges immediately took a liking to his “colorful personality,” which shone more in his audition song, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin.
Though Matty got eliminated in the Idol Philippines live shows, that didn’t stop him from chasing his dreams. There’s no telling what’ll happen next in his Britain’s Got Talent journey, but we’re certain that Filipinos around the world have his back no matter what.
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Congratulations, Matty! What do you think of his show-stopping audition? Let us know in the comments below!
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