The streets of Paris turned into a rock opera earlier this week when pianist Julien Cohen, singer Mickey Callisto, and 11-year-old guitar prodigy Olly Pearson led an epic flash mob performance of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

What began as a surprise for bystanders has now become a global phenomenon, drawing nearly 200 million views across platforms in just days and amassing more than 11 million likes on Instagram alone.

The performance, staged to mark the 50th anniversary of Queen’s iconic 1975 anthem, saw Cohen directing from the piano as singers filled the surrounding windows with operatic harmonies. Callisto delivered the powerhouse lead vocals, while Pearson—already known from Britain’s Got Talent—shredded through Brian May’s guitar solos with uncanny precision. Together, the trio turned one of rock’s most ambitious songs into a once-in-a-lifetime street spectacle.

Among the millions who were moved by the viral moment was Queen’s own torchbearer, Adam Lambert, who has fronted the band since 2011. Lambert shared his admiration for the performance, saying he was deeply touched watching the flash mob bring Bohemian Rhapsody to life on such a grand, unexpected scale.

He also singled out Callisto’s vocals, praising the singer’s ability to honor Freddie Mercury’s spirit while adding his own artistry: “Mickey’s voice was just incredible—it gave me chills. The way they celebrated Queen’s music in the middle of Paris was so powerful and so full of love.”

For Callisto, the viral spotlight marks a career milestone. The 27-year-old performer from Sunderland, who once worked in an O2 shop before pursuing music full-time, has been striving to break into the industry for years. He has performed as a Freddie Mercury tribute act, even competing on Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year, where judge Bruno Tonioli—who worked closely with Mercury in the 1980s—urged him to embrace his own identity as an artist.

“Performing is all I’ve ever known,” Callisto has said. “Entertaining people is my purpose. My dream is to headline Glastonbury or play Wembley, like my idol Freddie.”

With this viral moment, Callisto may finally be stepping into that spotlight. The Bohemian Rhapsody flash mob not only showcased his extraordinary voice but also his ability to capture the emotional force of Queen’s music—something Lambert himself acknowledged.

As coverage continues to grow and replay numbers climb by the millions, one thing is clear: Mickey Callisto, Julien Cohen, and Olly Pearson didn’t just perform a Queen classic—they created a cultural moment that even the band’s modern frontman couldn’t ignore.