A surprise flash mob in Paris has taken the internet by storm, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Queen’s legendary hit Bohemian Rhapsody. Orchestrated in less than a week, the performance wowed bystanders and quickly went viral worldwide, even pushing the 50-year-old classic back onto the UK charts.
A Spectacular Street Performance
On September 8, pianist and event organizer Julien Cohen gathered 30 musicians and singers for the unforgettable performance, featuring Britain’s Got Talent star Mickey Callisto and 11-year-old guitar prodigy Olly Pearson. Social media exploded with videos:
- Facebook: 191 million views, 1.8 million shares, 181,000 comments
- Instagram: 189 million views, 12.2 million likes, 151,000 comments
- YouTube: Over 7 million views in under a week
Cohen called it “the most insane Bohemian Rhapsody flash mob you will ever see,” and fans agreed. Instagram clips alone surpassed 70 million views within 24 hours, with reactions describing the performance as “chills-inducing” and “once-in-a-lifetime.”
“Never in a million years would I have thought I would be coming in on a horse and carriage in Paris singing Bohemian Rhapsody,” Callisto said, reflecting on the surreal experience.
Celebrating 50 Years of Queen
The flash mob marked the half-century anniversary of Queen’s iconic 1975 release. Callisto explained: “It was done to celebrate 50 years of arguably the greatest song of all time.” Queen’s timeless anthems—from We Will Rock You to Who Wants to Live Forever—have left an enduring mark on music history, and this performance reaffirmed their continued relevance.
Cohen teased fans on Instagram: “The most INSANE Bohemian Rhapsody flash mob you will ever see! With 30 musicians and singers in the streets of Paris. Make sure to follow my account to see PART 2 in a few days!” When Part 2 premiered on September 9, it quickly went viral as well.
Spotlight on the Performers
Mickey Callisto, known for his Freddie Mercury-inspired performances, and young guitar prodigy Olly Pearson stole the show. Pearson, just 11, previously made headlines on Britain’s Got Talent as the first performer to receive two golden buzzers in a single season. Callisto has also reignited interest in Queen’s catalog with his covers, pushing songs like Who Wants to Live Forever back onto the UK charts.
Simon Cowell praised Pearson’s talent: “He was bloody brilliant, seriously, and he’s so small and talented, and carries magic.” Fans agree—the Paris flash mob only amplified admiration for these young performers.
Viral Impact and Cultural Resonance
The flash mob’s success goes beyond numbers. Beyond social media records, it helped push Bohemian Rhapsody back into the Top 3 on iTunes UK, proving that classic music can still capture new audiences when given the right platform.
From Paris streets to global screens, Cohen’s vision, Callisto’s powerful vocals, and Pearson’s youthful energy combined to create a performance destined to be remembered for years. Queen’s music continues to shine, proving that true classics never fade—they just find new ways to inspire.