Paris recently witnessed one of the most unforgettable street performances of the year — a massive flashmob built around Queen’s legendary “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The spectacle was led by singer Mickey Callisto and 11-year-old guitar prodigy Olly Pearson, with pianist Julien Cohen masterminding the entire event. What started in the heart of Place de la Contrescarpe soon turned into a living, breathing concert hall, stunning bystanders before exploding across social media platforms. Within hours, clips of the performance were dominating Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit, racking up tens of millions of views and sparking global excitement.
Cohen, celebrated for his knack for transforming public spaces into unexpected stages, described the Paris event as “the wildest Bohemian Rhapsody flashmob you’ll ever see.” True to his words, more than 30 singers and musicians filled the square — with voices even echoing “Galileo” from nearby apartment windows — creating an immersive reimagining of Queen’s six-minute masterpiece. Callisto leaned into the drama of Freddie Mercury’s role, making a grand entrance in a horse-drawn carriage, while young Pearson stunned the crowd with a pitch-perfect take on Brian May’s iconic solo.
The song selection carried special weight. This year marks five decades since Queen first released “Bohemian Rhapsody” in 1975, and the flashmob served as both tribute and celebration of Mercury’s lasting influence. Fans online echoed that sentiment. One comment on Reddit captured the magic: “Bohemian Rhapsody is already overwhelming, but hearing it ripple through Paris with 30 voices must have felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The internet agreed. Cohen’s first Instagram post of the performance shot past 70 million views in under a day, gathering over 10.6 million likes and 135,000 comments. A follow-up post also went viral, with Cohen thanking fans for their overwhelming support and sharing how much work went into making the project possible.
Yet it was Pearson — affectionately known as “Guitar Olly” — who captured much of the spotlight. Already recognized from Britain’s Got Talent, where he made history by earning two Golden Buzzers in one season, the young guitarist showed the world exactly why he’s considered a rising star. Onstage in Paris, he played with precision, confidence, and pure joy — qualities that quickly endeared him to both the crowd and millions watching online.
Reflecting on the night, Callisto admitted it felt surreal: “Never in my life did I think I’d be riding into Paris on a carriage to sing Bohemian Rhapsody.”
For many, though, the flashmob was about more than a viral video. It became a symbol of how music can bridge generations, bring strangers together, and turn an ordinary city square into something extraordinary. With Cohen’s vision, Callisto’s theatrics, and Pearson’s jaw-dropping performance, Paris proved once again that music’s power to unite and inspire is timeless.
