Filipino singer Matty Juniosa recently captured the world’s attention when he stepped onto Britain’s Got Talent and delivered a powerful performance that left both judges and audience in awe. Singing his own rendition of “Purple Rain” by Prince, Matty earned a golden buzzer from Simon Cowell and prompted a standing ovation from the judges and the crowd.

As he takes on the international stage and impresses people around the globe, people can’t help but wonder about the Filipino talent behind the spotlight. Beyond the applause and cheers, who is Matty Juniosa?

Personal life and growing up true to himself 

Matty, now 27, grew up in Mandaluyong City where he discovered his love for music early on. As an avid fan of One Direction during his adolescence, music became constant in his life, something he held on to for years.

From a young age, Matty said he knew he was different. Now openly part of the LGBTQIA+ community, Matty described during his auditions in ABS-CBN’s Idol Philippines in 2019 how he faced pressure from society and even from his family to fit in when he was younger. According to Matty, he had often told himself that he was a straight man and not gay, describing it as the most painful words he had ever said, simply to meet others’ expectations. Acceptance, especially from his father, was not easy, and Matty had to find a way to embrace who he was while navigating the doubts of those around him.

Growing up, Matty slowly learned to embrace his identity, not only through his love for music but also through his creativity in design. Beyond singing, he found another outlet in drawing gowns and dresses, allowing him to express himself in a different but equally personal way.

In 2010, his parents separated, marking a turning point in his adolescence. Rather than letting it weigh him down, Matty used the experience to grow stronger. He became determined to support his mother and honor the sacrifices she had made for their family with music. It became a refuge, a purpose, and a way to express himself freely and pursue the dreams that had taken root in his heart. These early experiences shaped the singer who would later captivate audiences in the Philippines and beyond.

Journey to stardom with Idol Philippines Season 1  

Matty auditioned for The Voice of the Philippines Season 2 but did not make the cut. Determined, he auditioned to another show one more time and became a contestant in Idol Philippines Season 1 when he was just 20 years old.

For his first performance, he chose Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman,” a song that had inspired him for years. From the moment he began singing, judges Moira dela Torre, Regine Velasquez, Vice Ganda, and James Reid were impressed by his voice and stage presence. All four judges gave him a standing ovation and a resounding yes, signaling the start of his journey into the spotlight.

Throughout the competition, Matty continued to shine with performances of hits like “I’ll Make Love To You,” “I Have Nothing,” and “Proud Mary,” showing off his vocal range, emotion, and personality. He advanced as one of the Top 12 Hopefuls, performing “Nais Ko” by Basil Valdez. Despite his strong performances, he was among the first to be eliminated in the show’s live rounds due to lesser votes from both the public and the judges.

After being eliminated, Matty shared a touching moment with Regine where she reassured him that “this is just the start” of his long journey. Matty then reflected on the joy of performing in front of Regine, saying that it was his “biggest dream come true”, seeing it as a milestone that would fuel his dreams.

Life after Idol Philippines and pursuing music abroad 

Elimination from Idol Philippines did not slow Matty down. He became part of iDolls, an all-male vocal trio formed by ABS-CBN along with fellow Idol Philippines contenders Lucas Garcia and Enzo Almario. The group released original songs, including “Kapangyarihan,” which reflected the experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals and encouraged listeners to embrace themselves, no matter what society dictates.

Matty, together with iDolls, competed in Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 3, winning Week 7 with an impressive transformation into Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, and Sting performing “All for Love.” For three years, the group gained experience, honed their craft, and shared their talent with audiences across the Philippines.

In 2022, Matty made the bold decision to move to the United Kingdom to pursue a second degree in Musical Theater at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, supported by a partial scholarship. At the time, iDolls needed to disband following his departure. Matty has shared that he is both excited and anxious with the move but firmly believes that it has been “one of the best decisions” he has ever made.

Matty has been living in Glasgow for three years now, where he balances part-time work as a waiter and continues to pursue his passion for music. He recently made his debut as a professional theater actor having played Sonja in Oscar At The Crown in 2025. He also portrayed Lola in Kinky Boots and Clopin in The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2024. Just last January, he took on the role of Muzha in the musical play, Ne Zha.  

Outside the stage, he also shares cover songs and glimpses of his life abroad online, steadily building a following of over 61 thousand on TikTok with fans who continue to cheer him on.

Britain’s Got Talent and the golden buzzer moment 

All of Matty’s dedication, hard work, and perseverance culminated in his golden moment on Britain’s Got Talent. When he performed Prince’s “Purple Rain,” his voice filled the room with emotion and power, captivating judges and audience alike. Every note carried his journey – the struggles, the victories, and the dreams he had chased for years.

During his audition, Matty shared his hopes and the significance of performing on the global stage.  “I want to sing for this amount of people and to sing every day, and to make music and to conquer the world.”

“I have been waiting for this chance to finally put an end to this long thing that I’ve been thinking about myself that I will always be a singing competition loser,” he added.

After his performance, the audience erupted in applause, calling for Simon Cowell to hit the golden buzzer, which he did, sending Matty straight to the semi-finals.

Simon later said, “To everyone in this audience, I’m gonna say this is your golden buzzer as well, genuinely.”

Following his golden buzzer moment, friends and former colleagues from the Philippines, including Gary Valenciano, CJ Navato, and fellow iDolls former member Enzo, among others, celebrated his success, making the moment even more special.

Apart from Matty, Filipino American singer Jessica Sanchez also received a golden buzzer from the franchise of the show and was later hailed as the winner of America’s Got Talent Season 20.