With a portfolio of show-stopping performances, Sunderland-born singer Mickey Callisto has once again proven why he is one of the most exciting young vocal talents in the UK.
His a cappella cover of Queen’s “Somebody to Love”, performed at home and later in front of audiences on Britain’s Got Talent (BGT), showcased naturally powerful vocals that seemed to transform his voice into a living instrument. One fan summed up the reaction perfectly: “Jaw dropped at Mickey.”
For his BGT audition, Callisto delivered the iconic Queen hit Somebody to Love, immediately winning over the audience with near-perfect tone and commanding stage presence. His likeness to Freddie Mercury was striking, as he paid tribute to the legendary singer while infusing the performance with his own style.
However, the act sparked controversy online, with some viewers accusing him of “miming” and questioning whether he was truly singing live. One wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “This guy looks like he’s miming!” Another added, “‘We’ll record you singing, then you come on and mime to the recording.’” Yet many others were awestruck by his talent: “Wow! Mickey is sensational! What a voice and great stage presence too… He deserves a gold buzzer. He could be in a musical or movie about Freddy.”
Callisto’s talents have not been confined to the BGT stage. In July 2025, he participated in a flash mob cover of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody in Paris, organized by musician and YouTuber Julien Cohen. Filmed in the Place de la Contrescarpe, the performance featured 30 musicians surprising locals as Callisto and fellow BGT contestant, guitarist Olly Pearson, delivered the iconic anthem live. The video has since gone viral, garnering over 500 million views across social media platforms.
“The video dropped last week, and I’ve got hundreds of messages to respond to,” Callisto said in a recent interview. “It felt like scoring a goal at the Stadium of Light for Sunderland. Julien saw my BGT audition and asked me to get involved. It was nerve-racking, as there were so many musicians and no time to rehearse.”