Darren Espanto
Darren Lyndon Espanto[fn 1] (born May 24, 2001) is a Filipino-Canadian singer, actor, and television personality.
For his self-titled studio album, see Darren (album).
Darren Espanto
Darren Lyndon Espanto[fn 1]
D' Total Performer, Asia's Pop Heartthrob
May 24, 2001[1]
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Singer
- actor
- television personality
- Vocals
- Piano
- Percussions
- Saxophone
2011–present
- Corus (2012–13)
- Sony (2012–13)
- Star Magic (2014–present)
- MCA (2014–present)
- Republic Philippines (2022–present)
He first joined a competition at the age of ten, where he won the Masters Finals of the Pinoy Singing Sensation competition in Edmonton. He made his first television appearance at the same age when he joined YTV's reality television The Next Star in 2012; he became the youngest finalist in the history of the show to be included in the Top 6. However, he rose to prominence after joining the first season of The Voice Kids Philippines. On June 1, 2014, Espanto became a part of ABS-CBN's Star Magic.[2] Since his appearances on The Voice Kids Espanto has developed a successful music career based in the Philippines, and frequently performs internationally.
Personal life[edit]
Espanto was born in Calgary on May 24, 2001. He is the first child of Filipino registered nurses Marinel Gonzales and Lyndon Espanto, who emigrated to Canada from Isabela.[3][4] Espanto also has a younger sister, Lynelle. His parents taught him Filipino language, particularly Tagalog. Espanto started singing at the age of three
.[5] He was interested in singing from a young age, and his parents were supportive of his dreams.[5][6]
As a toddler, Espanto serenaded to his parents with the tunes of Hakuna Matata from The Lion King, which led to his relatives discovering his singing potential and urging him to pursue and hone his raw talent.
At age 12, Espanto attended Grade 6 at St. Jude Elementary in Calgary,[7] before traveling to the Philippines in 2014 for The Voice Kids. After passing the auditions, he returned to Canada to write his advanced test in St. Cyril School. Afterwards, he returned to the Philippines.[8] Espanto, along with the other The Voice Kids finalists, received a ₱350,000 scholarship from Eton International School.[9][10] Upon moving to the Philippines, he went to Eton International School and later on took up homeschooling under The Homeschool of Asia Pacific, an affiliate of the Sanston Academy (Texas) where he completed his senior high school with honors. In Grade 11, he was awarded with second honors. In Grade 12, he graduated with first honors and received two special awards, i.e., the Achiever Award and the Excellence in Music and Arts Award.[11]
On April 16, 2024, Espanto told Boy Abunda in Fast Talk with Boy Abunda that he had a one year "puppy love" for Kyline Alcantara, romantic feelings or mutual understanding with Jayda Avanzado and "Getting to know you" relationship with Jillian Ward, but only friendship with Cassy Legaspi. Avanzado confirmed to Cristy Fermin that she and Espanto had "romantic feelings" with each other.[12][13][14]
Charitable work[edit]
On April 15, 2020, the United Nations Development Programme (under its Philippine office) launched Espanto as its first-ever celebrity Youth Advocate to promote its SDGs, focusing on climate action, biodiversity conservation and youth empowerment.[62] On September 29, 2021, Espanto was reappointed as UNDP Philippines' Youth Advocate for the SDGs for a second term, focusing on climate 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 of Typhoon Odette, where a total of P464,000 donation was raised.[64]