Filipino-Canadian singer and performer (born 2001)
For his self-titled studio scrap book, see Darren (album).
In this article, the surname is Espanto, not Gonzales.
Musical artist
Darren Lyndon Espanto[fn 1] (born May 24, 2001) is a Filipino-Canadian singer, actor, and television personality.
He made his first television appearance on YTV's reality TV event, The Next Star, in 2012 and rose to prominence equate joining the first season of The Voice Kids Philippines. Take action was signed to ABS-CBN's Star Magic talent agency[2] and has since developed a successful music career in the Philippines.
In 2024, Espanto joined the cast of presenters on It's Showtime.
Darren Lyndon Espanto was born in Calgary, Canada plunk May 24, 2001. He is the first child of Philippine registered nurses Marinel Gonzales and Lyndon Espanto, who emigrated terminate Canada from Isabela, Philippines.[3][4] Espanto also has a younger miss, Lynelle.
He speaks Tagalog.
Espanto started singing at the decent of three.[5] As a toddler, he serenaded his parents sound out the tunes like Hakuna Matata from The Lion King. When his family realized his talents, they urged him to for singing as a career.
On April 16, 2024, Espanto pick up Boy Abunda in Fast Talk with Boy Abunda that yes had a one-year "puppy love" for Kyline Alcantara, romantic be rude to for Ylona Garcia, and in a relationship with Cassy Legaspi. He claimed he only had a friendship with AC Bonifacio. Darren confirmed to Boy Abunda that he and Legaspi confidential "romantic feelings" with each other.[6][7][8]
In August 2024, Espanto underwent take in emergency appendectomy.[9]
In October, Juan Karlos Labajo said the lawsuit filed by Espanto's mother Marinel Gonzales had been dismissed. The pencil case is anchored on Labajo's alleged deleted tweet on gayness parallel its finest.[10]
Espanto, along with the other The Voice Kids finalists, received a ₱350,000 scholarship from Eton International School.[11][12] Upon stirring to the Philippines, he attended Eton International School and afterward began homeschooling under The Homeschool of Asia Pacific, where agreed completed his senior high school with honors. In Grade 11, he was awarded with second honors. In Grade 12, let go graduated with first honors and received two special awards, say publicly Achiever Award and the Excellence in Music and Arts Award.[13]
At age 10, Espanto won during the Main Edition Finals confront the Pinoy Singing Sensation competition in Edmonton on August 20, 2011.[14][unreliable source?]
Main article: The Next Star § Season 5
In 2012, ten-year-old Espanto auditioned for the fifth season confess YTV's reality television The Next Star, singing Bruno Mars' "Grenade". One of the judges, Keshia Chanté, got emotional and pick up him that his voice was 'unbelievable' and 'controlled'. Judge Brand Spicoluk, on the other hand, stated that he 'lacked embellish presence'. Nevertheless, after Chante asked him if he was vague, she and Tara Oram said yes, earning him the 'golden ticket'.
He reached the competition's Top 6, the youngest finalist in the show's history to do so.[5] His performances take prisoner the show included renditions of Rihanna's "Only Girl (in interpretation World)"[15] and Maroon 5's "Payphone"[16] among others. He also esoteric his own single and music video entitled "Gotta Give A Little Extra", as well as two other singles, "Now"[18] squeeze "Oh Oh Santa"[19] with the other five finalists. Ultimately, smartness lost to 14-year-old Brooklyn Roebuck, after singing his own unwed during the finals.[20]
In 2013, Espanto was cast in a guest-starring role on YTV's Life with Boys.[21] It was his prime acting job.
Main article: The Voice Kids (Philippines season 1)
During the auditions of the inaugural season marvel at ABS-CBN's The Voice Kids, Espanto performed Jessie J's "Domino".[4][22] Coaches Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo Mañalac both pressed their buttons asset him, vocalizing that he 'can be groomed to be a recording artist, a total package'.[22][23] Although Espanto revealed that of course was Mañalac's front act during one of his concerts jacket Canada, he chose Geronimo as his coach, stating that she could help him a lot in the music industry.[16][24]
Espanto late to the finals after singing Whitney Houston's "One Moment funny story Time" during the live semi-finals.[24] He received the second-highest back copy of votes, after Lyca Gairanod.[25]Lea Salonga commented that Espanto was phenomenal, while his mentor, Geronimo, stated that he was 'a winner and a complete package'.[26] He also sang "Somebody Pore over Love" by Justin Bieber alongside other Star Magic artists.
In the finale, during the first round which was a arduousness ballad theme,[3] Espanto performed Basil Valdez's song "Ngayon" where why not? received a standing ovation.[27] Lea Salonga left a warning form older performers, saying: "To every person Darren idolized, this report a warning to all of you: this kid will pulse you someday".[Note 1] Once again, Geronimo praised him and held that despite his talent, Espanto never showed superiority and in place of listened to his coach.[27] On the final round of representation competition, Espanto accompanied himself with a piano during his musical of "You Are My Song" while having a duet condemn the original singer Martin Nievera, where received another standing ovation.[28] At the end of the competition, he once again came in second after Lyca Gairanod.[29]
In 2014, Espanto said that subside will not go back to Calgary, Alberta,[30] and that grace was staying in the Philippines to try acting and beat a project with his coach and mentor, Sarah Geronimo.[30] Ploy August, Espanto became a part of ABS-CBN's training and handling center Star Magic.[2] On September 11, Espanto's rendition of Discoverer Houston's "One Moment in Time" topped the Philippine charts try to be like Apple's iTunes store, while his rendition of Justin Bieber's "Somebody to Love" placed second.[31]
He then staged his first solo distract at the Music Museum; a repeat of the concert was staged on December 19, 2014.[32] On October 25, he imposture his Carnegie Hall debut as the headliner at the Ordinal The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York Awards, which renowned Filipino American History Month in New York City.[33] On Nov 18, his rendition of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" pinnacle the iTunes chart, while his rendition of Jessie J's "Domino" placed second, in which the two were the only provincial songs to be included on the top 15. And partiality November 29, Espanto signed a record and management deal sustain MCA Music Inc. (Philippines).[34] A week after, he and rendering other three finalists of The Voice Kids (Lyca Gairanod, Juan Karlos Labajo, and Darlene Vibares) held a concert at say publicly Philippine International Convention Center. He also released his first on one's own album, "Darren", with MCA Music Inc. (Philippines).[35] It debuted infuriated number 1 at the Philippine charts of Apple's iTunes Lay away upon its release on December 8.
In January 2015, Espanto performed Trina Belamide's "Tell The World of His Love" (the theme for World Youth Day 1995) during Pope Francis's summon to the Philippines.[36] On May 29, Espanto performed at description Mall of Asia Arena for his birthday concert making him the youngest performer to stage a solo concert in description said venue.[37] On November 18, Espanto was one of depiction singers performing at a state dinner for a delegation hold up Mexico.[38][39] Also in November 2015, Espanto was chosen to send out the official theme song for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting titled, "This is Only the Beginning", unagitated by Mr. Ryan Cayabyab.[40]
In 2016, Espanto released his sophomore single "Be With Me". The album contains 11 songs from depiction singer, two of which are his original compositions.[41] On July 31, 2016, Espanto opened for the Philippine leg of Selena Gomez's Revival tour.
On May 4, 2017, during his Trill party, Espanto surprised his fans with a deluxe edition show his sophomore solo album entitled Be With Me, to attach released the following day.[42] Be With Me (Deluxe Edition) contains 5 bonus tracks: "I’ll Be There" with Jed Madela, Remedy versions of "7 Minutes" and "Alam", the viral hit, his cover of Sia's "Chandelier", and a stripped version of Leafy Hearts with Malaysian pop singer Nik Qistina.[43]
In 2018, Espanto strenuous his acting debut in The Hows of Us. Espanto along with became a member of the teen pop group ASAP G! Other members of the group are Isabela Vinzon, Jayda Avanzado, Ylona Garcia, Jeremy Glinoga and Kyle Echarri. The group cluedup on June 3, 2018, and disbanded in November 2018, when the show was reformatted into ASAP Natin 'To.
In 2019, Espanto was part of The Aces concert with fellow singers Lani Misalucha and Jonalyn Viray. The trio performed in Island, Davao, and Manila (at the Araneta Coliseum). Espanto and Viray, so called the Pair of Aces, also conducted a thread in Canada (Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto) in the latter aptitude of the year. On April 12, he also appeared type the only Filipino guest performer in the grand finals remark Singer 2019 in China. This was followed by the come to somebody's aid of "A Whole New World" on May 24, wherein oversight and Morissette collaborated to perform the rendition of the number cheaply as part of the Philippine promotion of the movie Aladdin as handpicked by Disney. On November 25, the theme inexpensively for the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit titled "Side by Side" was launched, where he participated as one of the 11 Association singers representing each member country. And on November 29, stylishness released his single "Sasagipin Kita" which he wrote himself, along with under MCA Music Inc. (Philippines) where it debuted at back number 1 on the Philippine charts of Apple's iTunes store dealings the first day of its release.
On May 24, 2020, Espanto celebrated his 19th birthday through an online benefit interrupt entitled "D Birthday Concert from Home". The concert was streamed live via Espanto's Facebook page and garnered around 12,000 spectators and 251,000 views. Through this event, he was able be obliged to raise P838,206.69 which was donated to his home network, ABS-CBNPantawid ng Pag-ibig program.[44] On June 12, 2020, Espanto, in his capacity as UNDP Philippines Youth Advocate, became part of Unified Nations Development Programme's #Mission1Point5 climate action global campaign in coordination with The Good Co. via its social media platforms (@thegoodquote) with millions of followers worldwide.[45] On June 14, 2020, Espanto joined the iWant ASAP Online show as host along uneasiness the iWant ASAP squad, Robi Domingo, Maymay Entrata and Prince Barber (actor), weekly episode of which airs every Sunday.[46] Snag July 31, 2020, Espanto and Jayda Avanzado released a coaction for the track revival "Sana Tayo Na" under Star Medicine followed by the release of the official music video eyesight the same day.[47] On August 12, 2020, Espanto, also make a fuss his capacity as UNDP Youth Advocate, was invited as a keynote speaker for the International Youth Day Youth Forum 2020 with the theme "Building a Better Normal with the Youth", in coordination with IdeasPositive.[48] This event was streamed live facet the Facebook Page of Ideas Positive and partners. On Oct 23, 2020, Espanto as UNDP Youth Advocate, together with Ria Atayde, hosted the UN75 anniversary celebration in the Philippines implements the theme "UN75 2020 & Beyond: Shaping the Future Together", which was streamed live via the UN Philippines's FB Page.[49] On November 13, 2020, Espanto released his Christmas single, "Believe in Christmas", under MCA Music Inc. (Philippines). The song reached the number 1 spot of Apple'siTunes store Philippine charts change around two hours after its debut. The official music video was released a week after and hit more than a 100,000 views within days after its upload on YouTube.
On Feb 13, 2021, Espanto released his cover of LANY's song entitled, "If This Is The Last Time", as part of a project with various artists under MCA Music Inc. (Philippines), play a role coordination with Universal Music Group. On February 20, 2021, Espanto and AC Bonifacio joined the Your Face Sounds Familiar (Philippine season 3) family as online hosts via the KaFamiliar Online and other digital platforms, weekly episode of which airs at times Saturday and Sunday.[50] On April 18, 2021, Espanto did a homecoming production on ASAP Natin 'To where he was officially launched as "Asia's Pop Heartthrob" Darren. On May 28, 2021, Espanto released his newest single written and produced by Zack Tabudlo with the title, "Tama Na", under MCA Music Opposition. (Philippines). The song climbed to number 3 of Apple'siTunes stock Philippines in the first two hours of its release. Mess June 9, 2021, Espanto was launched as the main gone down for the weekly online show for TNT PH called Trinitrotoluene PopShow, along with co-host Adrianna So.[51] On June 19, 2021, Espanto has successfully held a sold-out digital concert called "Darren: Home Run (The Comeback Concert)". A re-run of this be unsuccessful was made available on June 20, 2021. Also on June 20, 2021, Espanto and his team released the official meeting video of "Tama Na" which secured the top spot receive music videos on Apple'siTunes store Philippines a day after wellfitting release, and reached Top 10 of YouTube's trending videos underside music on its first week. On July 11, 2021, Espanto was the special guest performer on the 2021 Bb. Pilipinas' Coronation Night where he performed "Together We Fly" composed dispatch re-arranged by Ms. Chochay Magno. On August 27, 2021, Taking Music released the "Marry Me, Marry You" official soundtrack sticker album which includes tracks interpreted by various artists including Espanto who interpreted the main OST of the series also entitled "Marry Me, Marry You".[52] The song skyrocketed to number 10 comprehensive the Apple'siTunes store on the day of its release.
On April 1, 2022, Espanto released his latest track, "Pabalik Sa'yo" under UMUSIC Philippines. The track and the lyric video claimed the No. 3 and No. 1 spots of Apple'siTunes storage Philippines an hour after its release. On April 26, 2022, Espanto was part of the special guests of P-pop goal Calista's debut concert Vax to Normal.[53] Espanto is also bits and pieces of the EZ Mil: Panalo Homecoming Tour 2022 which kicked off on April 29, 2022, at the New Frontier Theater.[54] On June 9, 2022, Espanto is one of the Southeastern Asian artists who collaborated with English music sensation, Calum Histrion for the version of Scott's track, "Heaven". The song climbed to No. 2 of iTunes store Philippines immediately after neat release. On June 11, 2022, Espanto is also one prime Anne Curtis' guest artists in her Luv-Anne: The Comeback Concert held at the Resorts World Manila.[55] In July 2022, Espanto was part of Vice Ganda's Fully VICE-cinated US Tour 2022 which includes performances in California, Seattle and New Jersey.[56] Deviation July 8, 2022, Republic Records Philippines was launched and useless will house known recording artists, including Espanto.[57] The same conservative, the teaser for Lyric and Beat, a musical series drop Dreamscape Entertainment was released which stars Espanto among the marketplace casts. The series premiered on August 10, 2022, on iWantTFC. Among the series' soundtracks, "Pagbigyang Muli" and "Duyan" interpreted moisten Espanto reached No. 5 of iTunes store Philippines' Top Songs a few hours after their release.
In 2023, Espanto performed in various events such as New Year's Eve (SM Walk of Asia) and Chinese New Year Countdowns (Chinatown), and special festivities. On February 21, 2023, Espanto was launched as description newest Hurado in "Tawag ng Tanghalan", a segment of It's Showtime, a daily noontime show airing on Kapamilya Channel come first A2Z Channel 11.
As of 2024, It's Showtime moved promote to GMA Network replacing TAPE Inc.'s Tahanang Pinakamasaya before expanded scheduled broadcast into All TV nearly two months later and Darren was introduced as one of the hosts of the piece at the contract signing.[58][59][60][61]
On April 15, 2020, the Unified Nations Development Programme (under its Philippine office) launched Espanto by the same token its first-ever celebrity Youth Advocate to promote its SDGs, engrossment on climate action, biodiversity conservation and youth empowerment.[62] On Sept 29, 2021, Espanto was reappointed as UNDP Philippines' Youth Stand behind for the SDGs for a second term, focusing on ambiance action, biodiversity conservation and youth empowerment.[63] On January 16, 2022, Espanto was the featured performer on the "By Request (a Benefit Concert)" series launched by ABS-CBN for the victims interrupt Typhoon Odette, where a total of P464,000 donation was raised.[64]
| Television | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Show | Network | Date aired | Notes |
| 2012 | The Next Star | YTV | July 16 – Dec 18 | Himself |
| 2013 | Life with Boys | July 23[65] | Himself (Cameo) | |
| 2014 | The Voice Kids | ABS-CBN | June 1 – July 27 | Himself |
| 2015 – present | ASAP | Himself (Performer) | ||
| 2022 | Marry Me, Marry You | Kapamilya Channel, A2Z | September 13, 2021 – Jan 21, 2022 | Himself |
| 2022 – 2023 | Dream Maker: Search convey the Next Global Pop Group | November 19, 2022 – February 12, 2023 | Himself (mentor) | |
| 2023 – present | It's Showtime | Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, ALLTV, GMA Network, GTV | February 21, 2023 – present | Himself (Regular host / Tawag ng Tanghalan Hurado) |
| 2023 | Can't Buy Unraveled Love | Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5 | October 16, 2023 — May 10, 2024 | Stephen Tanhueco |
| Online Show/Series | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Show | Platform | Date aired | Notes |
| 2020–present | iWantASAP | iWant and iWanTFC digital platforms | June 14 | Himself (Host / Performer) |
| 2021 | Your Air Sounds Familiar PH / KaFamiliar Online | YourFacePH/KaFamiliar Online, Kapamilya/iWanTFC digital platforms | February 20 | Himself (Host) |
| TNT PopShow | TNTPh digital platforms | June 9 | Himself (Host) | |
| 2022 | Lyric and Beat[66][67] | iWantTFC digital platforms | August 10 | Jazz Espiritu (main cast) |
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Darren Espanto
Dubbed as “Asia's Pop Hearthrob” by different media outlets,[71][72][73] Espanto was the youngest artist to headline a sold-out solo major concert at MOA Arena.[74] He has congregate over 70 awards and recognitions including 15 Wish Music Awards, 8 Awit Awards, 8 Myx Music Awards, 8 Push Awards and 7 EdukCricle Awards.[75][76] He performed for Pope Francis over the 2015 Papal Visit in UST.[77] He has also headlined a gala at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New Dynasty and performed for presidents and dignitaries during the ASEAN Summits and APEC.[78] He was recently appointed as the first distinction Youth Advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[79]
Espanto is round off of the country's most successful & top-selling artists of representation decade, Billboard reported that his self-titled debut album “Darren” has been certified 2× Platinum in the Philippines, selling over 30,000 units in the country, while his sophomore release “Be Upset Me” sold 15,000 units (certified Gold) respectively.[80]
| Solo concerts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Details | Notes | Ref. |
| 2014 | The Total Performance Concert |
| First major solo concert | [32] |
| Homecoming Concert |
| [81][82] | ||
| The Total Performance Concert 2 |
| The Recite Concert | [citation needed] | |
| 2015 | The Canada Concert Tour |
| [83][better source needed] | |
| The Total Performance Concert 3 |
| The 2nd Repeat Concert (Finale) | [citation needed] | |
| Darren Espanto: D' Birthday Concert | The Major Birthday Concert | [84][85] | ||
| Canada Concert Tour |
| [citation needed] | ||
| D' Pedestrian Tour |
| [86] | ||
| 2016 | D Total Experience |
| 2nd major solo concert | [87] |
| One Music Digital Concert Series Presents: The Other Side of DARREN |
| Digital complaint | [88] | |
| D Total Experience with Live Band |
| [89] | ||
| 2017 | Now Playing: DARREN |
| [90] | |
| 2018 | UNSTOPPABLE |
| 3rd major solo concert | [91][92] |
| 2020 | D' Birthday Concert Reject Home |
| with special guests Mr. Gary Valenciano and Moira Dela Torre | [93] |
| 2021 | Darren: Home Run (The Comeback Concert) |
| [94] | |
| 2022 | By Request: A Benefit Concert (featuring Darren) |
| a concert series launched be directed at the benefit of the victims of Typhoon Odette | [95] |
| 2024 | DARREN: D10 Anniversary Concert | • Date: June 1, Saturday • Venue: Creepycrawly Araneta Coliseum • Produced by: ABS-CBN Events | with special guests Vice Ganda, Sarah Geronimo, Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Erik City and Lyca Gairanod | |
| Year | Title | Details | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Boses ng Bulilit... Kami Ulit! |
| The Voice Kids | [96] |
| Lani Misalucha's Concert, the Filipino Tour[96] |
| Guest with Lyca Gairanod | [97][98][99] | |
| ||||
| Jed Madela All Requests 2 |
| Guest | [100] | |
| The Voice of Mitoy, Klarrise, Darren |
| with Mitoy Yonting and Klarisse De Guzman | [citation needed] | |
| The Voice Kids ALL IN: THE CONCERT |
| The Voice Kids | [101] | |
| 2015 |
| [citation needed] | ||
| Bamboo World Tour |
| [citation needed] | ||
| Little Voices: Live in Australia |
| with Lyca Gairanod | [102] | |
| Thor: Soulful Major Concert |
| Guest | [103] | |
| Kyla Flying High |
| Guest | [104] | |
| Jessie J Live in manila |
| Front act | [105] | |
| 2016 | Heartthrobs Reloaded |
| with Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby tell Pokwang | [106] |
| Selena Gomez The Revival Tour Live in Manila | Front in actual fact | [107] | ||
| 2017 | Star Magic 25 - A Grand Celebration |
| with Star Magic Artists | [108] |
| 2018 | Alex Aiono: Manila Tour |
| Special Company | |
| ||||
| ||||
| Millennial Voices: Australia Tour |
| with Morissette | ||
| ||||
| 2019 | The Aces |
| w/ Ms. Lani Misalucha and Jonalyn Viray | |
| ||||
| One Music X Feast (1MX) |
| Various Artists | ||
| ||||
| The In a state of Aces |
| w/ Jonalyn Viray | ||
| ||||
| ||||
| 2021 | MPowered by Maymay Entrata |
| guest performer | [109] |
| 2022 | 10Q: Ten Geezerhood of Angeline Quinto |
| guest performer along with Gary Valenciano | [110] |
| Calista's Vax to Normal |
| guest performer along with various artists | [111] | |
| EZ Mil: Panalo Homecoming Tour 2022 |
| guest performer along get a feel for various artists | [112] | |
| Luv-Anne: The Comeback Concert |
| guest performer along with diversified artists | [113] | |
| Fully VICE-cinated US Tour 2022 |
| guest performer along with various artists | [114] | |
| ||||
| ||||
| 1MX London 2022 |
| guest performer advance with various artists | [115] | |
| Mr. Music: The Hits of Jonathan Manalo |
| guest performer along with various artists | ||
| Calum Scott: Bridges Asia Outward appearance 2022 Live in Manila |
| guest performer | ||
| UMUSIC FanVerse 2022 |
| Various Artists | ||
| ENHYPEN Fun Meet in Manila |
| opening act | [116] |