At just 11 years old, Olly Pearson has already stirred debate, sparked admiration, and found himself at the heart of one of the most talked-about moments in both Britain’s Got Talent and viral street performance culture. What began as a controversial golden buzzer moment on ITV has now expanded into a Paris flashmob that has cemented his reputation as one of the most remarkable young guitarists of his generation.
The Britain’s Got Talent Controversy
Olly first caught the spotlight during his BGT audition in March, where Amanda Holden hit the golden buzzer for his performance. That honor alone would have secured him a place in the semi-finals. Yet, when he performed again in the live shows, Simon Cowell made an unprecedented move—slamming his golden buzzer before any judge had a chance to speak, sending Olly directly into the grand finale.
His medley of rock staples—AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer”—was nothing short of a spectacle. Elevated on a platform, guitar shooting flames, and flanked by dancers, Olly leaned fully into the role of a rock frontman despite his age.
But not everyone agreed with Cowell’s decision. Some viewers praised Olly’s prodigy-like skill, while others felt the golden buzzer was being “wasted” or “devalued” by overuse this season. One fan likened him to a young Mozart, while critics argued other acts were more deserving. Regardless of opinion, Olly became the first contestant in BGT history to earn two golden buzzers in a single season—a fact that has already made him part of the show’s lore.
The Paris Flashmob
If BGT showcased his talent to a TV audience, Paris gave him a global stage. On September 9, thirty musicians and singers staged a flashmob performance of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” at a busy city intersection. The production was carefully planned: a piano in the street, a drum kit, and singers stationed in nearby apartment windows to deliver the operatic sections.
At the center of it all was Olly Pearson. While pianist Julien Cohen guided the flow, it was Olly who took on Brian May’s legendary guitar parts. His confidence, technical precision, and stage presence gave the flashmob its spark, elevating it beyond novelty into a genuinely powerful tribute to Queen’s timeless classic.
The video, posted online, quickly went viral, surpassing half a million views in just one day. Unlike the divided reactions on BGT, the Paris performance drew mostly admiration. Viewers praised both the boldness of staging such a piece in public and Olly’s ability to command attention with an instrument many seasoned players struggle to master.
A Legendary Turn
In a way, the criticism once directed at Olly on BGT has only added to the legend of his Paris appearance. What some dismissed as overhyped showmanship on television has transformed into proof of his artistry in a real-world setting. With no judges to impress and no golden buzzer to debate, Olly let his guitar do the talking—and the crowd responded with awe.
For Olly Pearson, this may be just the beginning. From reality TV controversies to viral flashmob fame, his music has already proven unstoppable. The question now is not whether he deserved a golden buzzer, but how far his talent can take him in the years ahead.