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5 Freddie Mercury transformations on “Your Face Sounds Familiar" that left us speechless

Article (news)

Kyla Dennise Magbanua

<p>Known as the lead vocalist and pianist of the legendary rock band Queen, Freddie Mercury has had a massive impact on the music industry. He used his voice like an endless instrument, mixing opera, gospel, and heavy metal, that could also command huge crowds during performances.</p><p>Freddie Mercury’s musical power also shone on the “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Your Face Sounds Familiar</strong></a>” stage, with five impersonations that vividly brought his classic hits—and his legendary charisma—to life. </p><div> </div><div><strong>Nyoy Volante (YFSF Season 1, 2015) - “Bohemian Rhapsody”</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NIK_u-frIT0" title="Your Face Sounds Familiar: Nyoy Volante as Freddie Mercury - &quot;Bohemian Rhapsody&quot;" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Giving his own flair to the legendary hit “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Nyoy rocked the studio as Freddie Mercury. Embodying the singer through his signature look and nuances, Nyoy delivered yet another unforgettable culmination.</p><p>Judge Jed Madela highlighted how Nyoy’s gaze toward the audience was very reminiscent of the icon. “He connects. It really worked for you, you have my vote this week,” he said. Judge Sharon Cuneta added simply that Nyoy nailed it.</p><p>For Judge Gary Valenciano, he noted how well Nyoy handled unexpected circumstances while singing, “Imbes na treating it like a mistake, ginawa mong part of the performance. Knowing that Freddie Mercury is a live performer, you really proved it with that mistake. You did okay,” he stated.</p><p>Nyoy placed 2nd at the end of the season.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Sam Shoaf (YFSF Kids Season 1, 2017) - “We Will Rock You”</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/exGnxhOkxd8" title="Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids Finale: Sam Shoaf as Freddie Mercury - We Will Rock You" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>The spotlight was all on Sam Shoaf as he brought his A-game to the finale of “YFSF Kids Season 1” while embodying Freddie Mercury to impress everyone with his version of “We Will Rock You.” For Sam, the goal was to deliver the best performance of his life—and true enough, he did.</p><p>“Grabe, Sam! We are so proud of you,” said Judge Ogie Alcasid, delighted by how Sam used everything he had learned from his past icons for the last blow. Looking back at Sam’s growth as a performer, Judge Sharon Cuneta expressed how happy she was with how much he had improved as an artist.</p><p>Judge Gary Valenciano remarked that Sam definitely rocked the house that night. “You took it on. Na-match mo ‘yung energy ng tao ngayong gabi. This is the way to open up a grand showdown.” He also hoped to see Sam flourish as a soloist someday.</p><p>Sam placed 6th at the end of the season.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Esang De Torres (YFSF Kids Season 2, 2018) - “I Want To Break Free”</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yTVBMRiH79M" title="Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids 2018: Esang De Torres as Freddie Mercury | I Want To Break Free" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Known for her love of theater and for consistently delivering theatrical shows in and out of “YFSF,” Esang showed a different side of herself this time as Freddie Mercury, belting out the hit “I Want To Break Free.” She kept everyone at the edge of their seats, as if they were watching a concert.</p><p>Having impersonated Freddie Mercury from his own “YFSF” season, Coach Nyoy recalled the details he had kept in mind to capture the singer. He congratulated Esang for matching the level of the iconic performer during her number, “Sobrang nagustuhan ko ‘yung stance, kuhang-kuha,” he conveyed.</p><p>Esang has always exceeded the judges’ expectations, according to Judge Sharon Cuneta. Doting on her production, Judge Ogie Alcasid praised Esang for her pure talent. “Etong talent na panggagaya, parang nama-master mo na eh. That was really wonderful,” he said.</p><p>Esang placed 3rd at the end of the season.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Esang De Torres and Nyoy Volante (YFSF Kids Season 2, 2018) - Queen Medley</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v2ahQrtEnZ4" title="Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids 2018: Esang De Torres &amp; Nyoy Volante as Queen | Queen Medley" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Following Esang’s transformation, she and Nyoy later shared the stage for the “YFSF All-Star Reunion Special” episode, both transforming into Freddie Mercury while adding their touch to Queen’s hits “I Want To Break Free,” “We Will Rock You,” and “We Are The Champions.” The two ka-Familiars hyped up the studio, with the audience cheering and even chime in with them.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Jarlo Base (YFSF Season 4, 2026) - “Bohemian Rhapsody”</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9nsdPxW511I" title="The Grand Showdown: Jarlo Base rocks the stage with a Freddie Mercury performance | YFSF 2026" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Jarlo kept surprising us with his “YFSF” performances, especially in the Grand Showdown as Freddie Mercury to lilt “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Everyone in the studio was completely immersed in his presentation. After singing, Jarlo expressed her delight with his transformation.</p><p>Judge Karla Estrada admitted that she was excited to see Jarlo, commending him for giving his full effort despite the intricacy of portraying Freddie Mercury. Judge Nyoy Volante also shared how proud he was of Jarlo, highlighting how he stepped out of his shell to perform things he doesn’t usually do as a singer. “Kuhang-kuha mo talaga. Lahat ng mga nuances lalo na sa boses,” he added.</p><p>“This is not the same Jarlo Base that I saw in the first episode,” were the first words from Judge Gary Valenciano. “Sa nakikita ko, ang dami mo nang natutunan. You’ve already become a winner to a certain degree,” he congratulated. Echoing the same sentiments, Judge Ogie Alcasid said, “Meron kang mastery sa ginagawa mo. Talagang pinag-aralan mo nang todo si Freddie Mercury.”</p><p>Catch more world-class performances and transformations on “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar"><strong>Your Face Sounds Familiar: The Grand Showdown</strong></a>” on April 11 and 12 on ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, and<a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong> iWant</strong></a>. </p>

<p>Freddie Mercury's musical power also reached the “Your Face Sounds Familiar” stage, with five acts that embodied him through his classic hits.</p>

Freddie Mercury's musical power also reached the “Your Face Sounds Familiar” stage, with five acts that embodied him through his classic hits.