Matty Juniosa savors double-golden buzzer moment in ‘Britain’s Got Talent’
With a tingling feeling of what could’ve been, Filipino singer Matty Juniosa gave a TV talent-singing competition another shot, but this time, overseas.
He first rose to fame after competing in “Idol Philippines” in 2019, landing in the Top 12. He later joined the group iDolls with Lucas Garcia and Enzo Almario and competed in “Your Face Sounds Familiar” Season 3, ending their journey in fourth place overall.
With his new life in the United Kingdom, he feels that the job is not yet done. It has followed Matty’s journey to “Britain’s Got Talent,” his double-golden buzzer and now, what lies ahead for his final performance.
What initially brought the singer to the UK was the opportunity to pursue higher education. His decision to leave the country was also due to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the political climate.
“There’s a lot of things I considered, but it was genuinely the opportunity that landed itself to me, which was my school, and that’s mostly what led me there,” he told the STAR in an exclusive interview.
Matty finished his studies in July 2025 but didn’t let his dreams to pursue a career in music die and went to lots of auditions while being a waiter in the UK.
“I was doing a lot of auditions, and it just so happened na all of these things landed (on) me after like six months of hustling,” the singer said.
“I was up and down, Scotland ‘tas bababa akong London to audition. Surfing couches, staying in friends’ flats, staying in hostels. It was a lot of hard work before I got into where I am right now. It was a lot of hustlin’,” he added.
Matty was living the dream of performing in theater in the UK, but he felt that there’s a gap of people from the Philippines, especially his mom, not seeing him perform.
“As much as these opportunities are presenting (themselves) to me, hindi kasi nakikita ng mga nasa Philippines ‘yun. Hindi nakikita ng mom ko,” he said.
“Kahit na ang grand nung mga nakukuha kong like performing next to industry musical theater that pioneered the art form, pero walang nakakakita unless you’re here in the UK,” he added.
Determined to bring pride to the country, Matty attempted to join “BGT,” and it was the start of a rollercoaster experience for him.
“This is the gift that I wanted to give to the Philippines and especially sa family ko back home,” he said.
The moment
Joining singing competitions is not new for Matty, but he wanted to impress the judges with a classic: Purple Rain by Prince.
“Kinakanta siya ng mga Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo, Beyoncé, all these people have sung this song. Purple Rain is really one of my most favorite songs,” he said.
In his research, one of the judges, Simon Cowell, refers to Purple Rain as one of his favorite songs, making it a risk to sing the hit song, but it paid off.
“(I said) let’s just try and give it a shot kahit na risky, but I know the song by heart. I love the song to bits. So, buti na lang the risk paid off,” he added.
Much to his surprise, the person who pressed his first golden buzzer was Simon himself.
“It was honestly insane. I cannot believe that day was real. Even looking back to this day, iniisip ko parang totoo ba ‘yun?” the singer said. “Sobrang unbelievable, and it’s so surreal to me, everything’s happening in my life right now.”
It was a validating moment for him.
“Growing up sa Philippines di ba? Everyone who’s aspiring to become a singer, we watched the shows that he (Simon) produced. ‘American Idol,’ ‘X Factor,’ ‘BGT’ and all of these shows,” the contestant said.
“And you know, he’s the man to impress because he’s got the ears for it. He’s not always right, but a lot of times he’s really right,” he added.
When his audition aired, it was surreal to get the support from his Filipino fans.
“It’s overwhelming. You know, Filipinos will ride for Filipinos. And every chance I get to represent us, I take the chance. You know, the ear cuffs, the isms, the Rufa Mae yasses. I try to represent us,” Matty said.
“So, to get the support back, sobrang grateful ko kasi sino ba ako? I’m just the same person as all you guys are. It just so happened na nandito ako and I was given these opportunities for everyone to ride for me like that. Kaya sabi ko, win or lose, I know that people are backing me,” he added.
Double-golden buzzer
Coming straight to the semi-finals was no easy task for Matty as he was living in Scotland. He needed to rehearse in London. He also had Zoom sessions, but he felt that it was not enough.
“It was a lot of hard work making things work logistics-wise and travel-wise, all that. The preparation was a lot and even the most preparation I had to do was mental because I had so much pressure in my hands to come from being a golden buzzer ni Simon and then now going to the semi-finals’ first live show. It’s sad because there’s a lot riding on this and I don’t want to disappoint,” the contestant said.
“I want to have fun as well. As much as I don’t want to disappoint, but I know I’m carrying a standard. I’m representing the Filipino people and I’m creating the standard for what it would be for the future Filipino artists who come on this show or any shows in the UK or in the world,” he added.
It was also a challenge for him to perform Dream On by Aerosmith but Matty wanted to prove that Filipinos are more than just singers, they’re artists.
“Takot ako sa Dream On na kanta, ah, kasi mayroon siyang iconic na ginawa talaga si Steven Tyler doon, but when they handed me the arrangement that they made for me, I said, ‘Oh my God, busog na busog ‘yung arrangement na kahit wala ‘yung iconic part na ‘yun in a way that I can do it. Mabibigay ko pa rin ‘yung essence,” he said.
“So, I think one of the things I really wanted to do for the semi-finals is to establish that I’m an artist more than a singer because I think what people miss out on in these shows is that we’re trying to establish ourselves as artists. We’re not just singers,” he added.
“What I’m trying to do, specifically for me, is to establish what I’m about. So, I think what people misconstrue with what I’m trying to do is the originality part of it. So, I wanted to really give my own flavor to that song and the lyrics of that song.”
Then came the semi-finals, and Matty got his second golden buzzer from Amanda Holden: “My life has genuinely been flipping on itself. I came from Mandaluyong City, Philippines. Galing ako roon, diyan ako lumaki. I watched these shows and now, I’m here and now, I’m a double-golden buzzer.”
“The first one was a blessing, a miracle in itself. But then, getting a second, I just feel like whatever happens from now on, I’ve proven something and I’ve validated my artistry and I’ve shown the world what I can offer. And I think it just puts the stamp, especially to my heart, that no matter what happens, I’m not walking away from this show feeling like a loser,” he added.
While unexpected, the finals-bound Matty stressed that he worked hard to get that double-golden buzzer and his performances are testament that he is worthy of those recognitions.
“Honestly, it was just so overwhelming because Simon, I love him so much. And then you get Amanda. I love her so much. She’s so gorgeous. She’s so lovely. What a beautiful person. And she’s been so warm and kind to me. I’m blessed enough to have had Amanda press it for me. And I was the last for the night,” the singer said.
“So, there was so much pressure on me because as much as, fine, she didn’t give it all night. So, people are saying that it’s going to go to me. It doesn’t really guarantee me anything because I still have to be worthy of a golden buzzer. And I still have to give a performance that’s worthy of that. And to be given it, that just means that the hard work that I put in paid off,” he said.
The “Britain’s Got Talent” 2026 grand finale is expected to air on May 30 (May 31, Philippine time).
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