A flash mob performance of Queen’s iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody” in Paris has taken the internet by storm, racking up over 500 million views on social media, but not without controversy.
Pianist and content creator Julien Cohen, who masterminded the event, has now broken his silence in response to accusations that the performance was prefabricated and overproduced, with some critics even claiming the crowd’s reactions appeared staged.
The flash mob, held at Place de la Contrescarpe in Paris’s 5th arrondissement, featured 30 musicians, including lead singer Mickey Callisto and young guitar prodigy Olly Pearson, age 11. Pearson, known for his record-setting appearances on Britain’s Got Talent, captivated audiences with his electric guitar solo. “Never in a million years would I have thought I would be coming in on a horse and carriage in Paris singing Bohemian Rhapsody,” Callisto remarked.
The performance was timed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Queen’s legendary 1975 release. Cohen explained the meticulous planning behind the stunt: “I’m both a pianist and a content creator, and all my work involves spontaneous public performances where people don’t know it’s coming. This was truly special for me. Bohemian Rhapsody is one of the few pop songs almost everyone knows, and performing it live in this way brought real joy to the crowd.”
In a behind-the-scenes video, viewers were treated to the elaborate setup: 20 opera singers positioned behind the windows of surrounding buildings, responding in call-and-response harmonies across opposing facades. The performance, Cohen says, was over a year in the making. “We first met Julien months before during a public performance, and when he said one day he wanted to tackle Bohemian Rhapsody, I knew it would be incredible,” recalled one collaborator.
Cohen shared the flash mob video on Instagram on September 8, writing, “The most INSANE Bohemian Rhapsody flashmob you will ever see! With 30 musicians and singers in the streets of Paris.” Within days, the video garnered over 10.6 million likes and 135,000 comments, prompting a follow-up “Part 2” video that also went viral. Cohen was careful to credit each performer involved, highlighting Pearson’s show-stealing guitar work.
Reactions online have been mixed. Admirers praised the performance, calling it “a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” “perfectly synchronized in an open uncontrolled setting,” and “exactly what the world needs—art and music in the streets for everyone.” Many noted the emotional impact of seeing so many people working together to create joy and connection.
Skeptics, however, questioned the authenticity of the performance. Some claimed the backup vocals sounded overly processed, the crowd appeared staged, and the video resembled a professionally directed production rather than a spontaneous street performance. Others argued that using post-production or careful coordination undermined the “flash mob” concept.
Despite the debate, Cohen and Callisto maintain that the magic of the moment came from combining artistry, careful planning, and spontaneous audience reactions. “We put so much work into making this video. Your love and comments mean a lot to me,” Cohen wrote on Instagram following the viral success. The official Queen account also weighed in, praising the performance: “We absolutely love this.”
From Parisian streets to social media feeds around the world, the “Bohemian Rhapsody” flash mob has sparked conversation, inspired awe, and—regardless of the critics—proved the enduring power of Queen’s music and the creativity of Julien Cohen’s vision.