In a performance that has gone viral across the globe, Filipina singer Kristel Herrera brought both the audience and judges to their feet during the April 5, 2026, broadcast of Britain’s Got Talent (Season 19).
The 32-year-old singer, originally from Sampaloc, Manila, and now based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, delivered a “goosebumps-inducing” rendition of Whitney Houston’s classic “Run to You.” Her audition earned her a unanimous four “yeses” and a standing ovation, marking another triumphant moment for Filipino talent on the international stage.
Kristel is no stranger to the spotlight. Long-time fans may remember her as an alumna of the 2005 singing competition Little Big Star, where she competed alongside fellow Filipino stars Jake Zyrus (then Charice Pempengco) and Sam Concepcion. More recently, she appeared on Tawag ng Tanghalan during the pandemic, a stint that famously included a live televised marriage proposal from her husband, Joshua Mumby.
Now a theater actress in England, Kristel admitted to the judges that her ultimate dream is to perform for King Charles III. “I feel like today is my big day,” she told the panel before her powerhouse vocals took over the auditorium.
The judging panel—consisting of KSI, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Stacey Solomon (filling in for Simon Cowell)—was visibly stunned by the contrast between Kristel’s shy demeanor and her “diva” stage presence.
- Alesha Dixon: “That was sensational. Absolutely outstanding. Your technique was 10 out of 10.”
- Amanda Holden: “I am blown away… what I find extraordinary is how sort of little and shrunk you are, and when you sang, you turned into a complete diva, baby!”
- KSI: “That was unbelievable. Your husband must be on the moon being able to hear that every day of his life.”
Kristel’s success follows closely on the heels of fellow Pinoy singer Matty Juniosa, who recently secured a Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell. The two are now set to represent the Philippines in the upcoming rounds, with the live semifinals scheduled to begin on April 26, 2026.
Taking to social media after the broadcast, Kristel expressed her disbelief: “I just used to see other people’s victories on Britain’s Got Talent and cry with them… and now I am crying on my own video?! This is absolutely insane!”
As clips of her performance rack up millions of views, Kristel Herrera stands as a testament to the enduring “Pinay power” that continues to captivate the world’s biggest stages.