Music has always been one of the most powerful ways Filipinos make themselves heard on the global stage, not just as performers, but as storytellers shaped by resilience, where every note echoes years of persistence and an unwavering belief that no dream is ever too far, no matter how long it takes to arrive.
Lately, Matty Juniosa’s name has been popping up on our newsfeeds for that very reason. The Filipino singer and theater actor, who began his music journey through Kapamilya singing competitions, and has been based in Glasgow since 2022, is taking his dreams to a whole new level after earning back-to-back Golden Buzzers on the world-famous talent show "Britain’s Got Talent (BGT)"
Back in March, Matty auditioned for "BGT" with an intense yet soulful rendition of Prince's “Purple Rain” that earned him his first Golden Buzzer courtesy of judge Simon Cowell. With that, he secured a direct ticket to the semi-finals.
He came back in the semi-finals more prepared and raised the bar even higher with a soaring performance of Aerosmith's “Dream On,” pulling the audience in until the entire studio erupted in cheers. The overwhelming reaction prompted judge Amanda Holden to press the Golden Buzzer, which sealed his spot in the upcoming finals.
And as we wait to see how he takes on the "Britain's Got Talent" finale stage, let's rewind to where his journey started—back home as a Kapamilya.
Matty first tried his luck on "The Voice of the Philippines" Season 2 (2014) but failed to make it past the auditions phase. Not one to give up on his passion, he later found another opportunity on "Idol Philippines" Season 1 in 2019, where he officially entered the competition with a breathtaking audition performance of Aretha Franklin’s self-love anthem “Natural Woman.” He impressed judges Vice Ganda, Moira dela Torre, James Reid, and Regine Velasquez with his exceptional vocals and undeniable stage presence, and earned a standing ovation from all four.
It turned out, the song reflected his personal story. During the auditions, he shared that his father lacked acceptance of his identity as gay, and that he carried the pain of seeing his mother go through abandonment. Channeling his emotions into his voice, his biggest mission then was to make his mother proud. “I was the first man, even though I’m a woman in my heart, who was manly enough to stay with her and to prove to her na may nagmamahal sa kanyang lalaki,” said Matty, whose parents separated in 2010, when he was around 12 years old.
As the next rounds went on, Matty consistently proved he had both the talent and the personality to stand out, taking on songs like “I’ll Make Love To You,” “I Have Nothing,” and “Proud Mary," until he secured a spot among the Top 12 hopefuls.
For the first Live Round, he went with “Nais Ko,” written by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. However, he bowed out early in the competition as one of the first two contestants eliminated after falling short in the combined scores from the judges and the public votes.
Rather than letting the loss define him, Matty chose to move forward to a new chapter. Following the conclusion of the first "Idol Philippines" season, he became part of iDolls, an incredibly talented vocal trio formed by ABS-CBN with fellow "Idol Philippines" alums Lucas Garcia and Enzo Almario. The group appeared regularly on ABS-CBN programs like "ASAP" and released original songs, including “Kapangyarihan,” which carried a message of empowerment for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Among the trio’s notable projects was their participation in "Your Face Sounds Familiar" Season 3, where they further demonstrated their versatility as performers. One of their most iconic moments in the show was their Week 7 win, pulling off a full transformation into Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, and Sting for “All for Love.” In the Grand Showdown, they picked The Three Tenors as their icons and ended their run in fourth place overall.
Beyond music, Matty also stepped into acting. He traded microphones for script in the ABS-CBN teleserye "Huwag Kang Mangamba" (2021) as Bobby, one of the barbershop staff in the fictional town of Hermoso, which served as the story’s central setting. He also brought to life Kimba, a gregarious and vibrant gay character, in the KDLex digital series "Run to Me" (2022).
In 2022, Matty made a big move and relocated to the United Kingdom to pursue a second degree in Musical Theater at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. It was a major step forward—but it also meant closing a chapter, as iDolls disbanded after he left.
Now based in Glasgow for the past three years, Matty has been juggling part-time work as a waiter while still going all in on his passion for music and performing. Along the way, his journey expanded into theater, with roles including Lola in "Kinky Boots" and Clopin in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2024, as well as Sonja in "Oscar at the Crown" in 2025. Most recently, he took on the role of Muzha in the musical "Ne Zha."
As he steps onto the "Britain’s Got Talent" finale (expected to happen in late May), Matty stands as an inspiration for following one’s passion with perseverance and faith—no matter where in the world it leads. Kapamilyas across the globe are rooting for him!
*Photos credit to Matty Juniosa IG