The pre-teen boyband TNT Boys stunned their native Filipino audience and shocked the entire internet when they made it to the grand finale of the TV talent show “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids” and performed a jaw-dropping routine in full drag.
Earlier in the season, the TNT Boys had dressed up as the Bee Gees, Destiny’s Child, and Boyz II Men to cover pop hits, which sent them all the way to the final. But when they impersonated the likes of Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj singing their hit collab single, “Bang Bang,” the TNT Boys didn’t just win the crown but sparked a wave of online controversy that’s still rippling to this day.
Amassing more than 3.3 million views to date, Music Man readers can check out the season-winning performance in the video above.
As the clip begins, we catch a glimpse of what the three singers, Keifer Sanchez, Mackie Empuerto, and Francis Concepcion, look like ‘in real life’ – three unassuming boys no older than fourteen, wearing shirts, blazer jackets, and grinning smiles on their faces.
However, when they hit the main stage, the transformation is unbelievable. Short skirts, long wigs, skin-tight bodysuits, full glam makeup, high heels, and claw-like nails amp up their mind-blowing impressions of Jessie, Ariana, and Nicki as they recreate the stars’ iconic “Bang Bang” performance at the 2014 American Music Awards. Not seen the original performance before? Just check it out in the video above!
From their spot-on choreography to their vocal styles, the boys pull off the ultimate tribute act to the pop legends. But, despite enchanting millions of fans online and on TV, there’s something undeniably odd about the set.
While mimicking the stars’ original performance, the boys inadvertently mimic the sexuality of the original AMAs performance – from Ariana Grande’s suggestive leg lift to the hip motions topped with provocative lyrics. We’re all for letting kids express their musicality and show-stopping talents, but surely there’s a line to be drawn when it comes to pre-teens recreating sexualized, adult-oriented performances before an internet packed with creeps…
Nevertheless, this 2018 clip is keeping fans stunned, with viewers amazed at the TNT Boys’ seamless switch between their Filipino interview and English lyrics, their vivid confidence, and Grammy Awards level of performance. Their season-winning set went so viral that James Corden even invited the real Ariana Grande along to The Late Late Show episode featuring the TNT boys, so they could meet their idol for the first time!