1. Darren Lyndon Espanto was born on May 24,2001 and is a Filipino singer, actor, and television personality.
45 Facts About Darren Espanto
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Darren Espanto made his first television appearance on YTV's reality TV competition, The Next Star, in 2012 and rose to prominence after joining the first season of The Voice Kids Philippines.
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Darren Espanto was signed to ABS-CBN's Star Magic talent agency and has since developed a successful music career in the Philippines.
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In 2024, Espanto joined the cast of presenters on It's Showtime.
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Darren Lyndon Espanto was born in Calgary, Canada on May 24,2001.
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Darren Espanto is the first child of Filipino registered nurses Marinel Gonzales and Lyndon Espanto, who emigrated to Canada from Nueva Vizcaya province in the Philippines.
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Darren Espanto claimed he only had a friendship with AC Bonifacio.
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Darren Espanto confirmed to Boy Abunda that he and Legaspi had "romantic feelings" with each other.
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At age 10, Darren Espanto won during the Main Edition Finals of the Pinoy Singing Sensation competition in Edmonton on August 20,2011.
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In 2012, ten-year-old Darren Espanto auditioned for the fifth season of YTV's reality television The Next Star, singing Bruno Mars' "Grenade".
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Darren Espanto reached the competition's Top 6, the youngest finalist in the show's history to do so.
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In 2013, Darren Espanto was cast in a guest-starring role on YTV's Life with Boys.
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Darren Espanto received the second-highest number of votes, after Lyca Gairanod.
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Lea Salonga commented that Darren Espanto was phenomenal, while his mentor, Geronimo, stated that he was 'a winner and a complete package'.
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Darren Espanto sang "Somebody To Love" by Justin Bieber alongside other Star Magic artists.
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Lea Salonga left a warning to older performers, saying: "To every person Darren Espanto idolized, this is a warning to all of you: this kid will outshine you someday".
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Once again, Geronimo praised him and said that despite his talent, Darren Espanto never showed superiority and instead listened to his coach.
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In 2014, Darren Espanto said that he will not go back to Calgary, Alberta, and that he was staying in the Philippines to try acting and do a project with his coach and mentor, Sarah Geronimo.
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Darren Espanto then staged his first solo concert at the Music Museum; a repeat of the concert was staged on December 19,2014.
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Darren Espanto released his first solo album, "Darren", with MCA Music Inc.
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In January 2015, Darren Espanto performed Trina Belamide's "Tell The World of His Love" during Pope Francis's visit to the Philippines.
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Also in November 2015, Darren Espanto was chosen to perform the official theme song for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting titled, "This is Only the Beginning", composed by Mr Ryan Cayabyab.
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In 2016, Darren Espanto released his sophomore album "Be With Me".
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On July 31,2016, Darren Espanto opened for the Philippine leg of Selena Gomez's Revival tour.
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In 2018, Darren Espanto made his acting debut in The Hows of Us.
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In 2019, Darren Espanto was part of The Aces concert with fellow singers Lani Misalucha and Jonalyn Viray.
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On May 24,2020, Darren Espanto celebrated his 19th birthday through an online benefit concert entitled "D Birthday Concert from Home".
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On November 13,2020, Darren Espanto released his Christmas single, "Believe in Christmas", under MCA Music Inc.
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On February 13,2021, Darren 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, in coordination with Universal Music Group.
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On May 28,2021, Darren Espanto released his newest single written and produced by Zack Tabudlo with the title, "Tama Na", under MCA Music Inc.
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On June 9,2021, Darren Espanto was launched as the main host for the weekly online show for TNT PH called TNT PopShow, along with co-host Adrianna So.
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On June 19,2021, Espanto has successfully held a sold-out digital concert called "Darren: Home Run ".
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On July 11,2021, Darren Espanto was the special guest performer on the 2021 Bb.
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Darren Espanto is part of the EZ Mil: Panalo Homecoming Tour 2022 which kicked off on April 29,2022, at the New Frontier Theater.
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On June 9,2022, Darren Espanto is one of the Southeast Asian artists who collaborated with English music sensation, Calum Scott for the version of Scott's track, "Heaven".
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On June 11,2022, Darren Espanto is one of Anne Curtis' guest artists in her Luv-Anne: The Comeback Concert held at the Resorts World Manila.
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In July 2022, Darren Espanto was part of Vice Ganda's Fully VICE-cinated US Tour 2022 which includes performances in California, Seattle and New Jersey.
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In 2023, Darren Espanto performed in various events such as New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year Countdowns, and national festivities.
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On February 21,2023, Darren Espanto was launched as the newest Hurado in "Tawag ng Tanghalan", a segment of It's Showtime, a daily noontime show airing on Kapamilya Channel and A2Z Channel 11.
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On September 29,2021, Darren Espanto was reappointed as UNDP Philippines' Youth Advocate for the SDGs for a second term, focusing on climate action, biodiversity conservation and youth empowerment.
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On January 16,2022, Darren Espanto was the featured performer on the "By Request " series launched by ABS-CBN for the victims of Typhoon Odette, where a total of P464,000 donation was raised.
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Darren Espanto has accumulated over 70 awards and recognitions including 15 Wish Music Awards, 8 Awit Awards, 8 Myx Music Awards, 8 Push Awards and 7 EdukCricle Awards.
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Darren Espanto performed for Pope Francis during the 2015 Papal Visit in UST.
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Darren Espanto has headlined a gala at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York and performed for presidents and dignitaries during the ASEAN Summits and APEC.
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Darren Espanto was recently appointed as the first celebrity Youth Advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals.