Darren Espanto

Quick Facts

Photo: Darren Espanto YouTube

About Darren Espanto

Darren Lyndon Espanto, born on May 24, 2001, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has established himself as a prominent figure in the Filipino entertainment and music industry. Of Filipino descent, parents Lyndon and Marinel Espanto hail from Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. Darren’s talent for music became apparent at a young age, having begun singing at the age of three, demonstrating a natural ability to learn and replicate tunes.

His journey into the public eye commenced at the age of ten when he won the Masters Finals of the “Pinoy Singing Sensation” competition held in Edmonton in 2011. The following year, at eleven years old, Espanto made his first television appearance on YTV’s reality competition, The Next Star, where he became the youngest finalist in the show’s history to reach the Top 6.  He later released his own single and music video, “Gotta Give A Little Extra,” and two other singles with fellow finalists.

In 2014, Espanto’s career reached new heights when he joined the inaugural season of ABS-CBN’s The Voice Kids Philippines. His audition performance of Jessie J’s “Domino” impressed coaches Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo Mañalac, both of whom wanted him on their team. Espanto chose Geronimo as his coach, and advanced through the competition, showcasing powerful vocals in performances like Whitney Houston’s “One Moment in Time” during the semi-finals. In the grand finale, Espanto performed Basil Valdez’s “Ngayon” and a duet of “You Are My Song” with Martin Nievera, accompanying himself on the piano. Although he ultimately finished as the runner-up to Lyca Gairanod, his talent left a lasting impression, with Lea Salonga predicting his future success.

Following The Voice Kids, Espanto decided to remain in the Philippines to pursue his career. In August 2014, he became part of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic talent agency. His renditions of “One Moment in Time” and Justin Bieber’s “Somebody to Love” topped the Philippine iTunes charts shortly after. Espanto’s debut self-titled album, “Darren,” released in December 2014 under MCA Music Inc. (Philippines), quickly reached the number one spot on the Philippine iTunes chart and was later certified double platinum.

Over the years, Espanto has released several successful albums, including “Be With Me,” which also achieved platinum status. He has released numerous singles, some of which topped local music charts, such as “In Love Ako Sayo,” “7 Minutes,” and “Sasagipin Kita”. He has collaborated with various artists, including Morissette on “A Whole New World” for the Philippine promotion of Disney’s Aladdin, and Calum Scott on a version of “Heaven”.

Espanto has also made significant strides in live performances, holding numerous sold-out solo concerts, including his first major concert, “The Total Performance Concert,” at the Music Museum in 2014, and his birthday concert at the Mall of Asia Arena in 2015, making him the youngest artist to headline a solo concert at that venue. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in New York in 2014, and has performed for notable figures, including Pope Francis during his visit to the Philippines in 2015, and at ASEAN and APEC summits.

Venturing into acting, Espanto made his film debut in “The Hows of Us” in 2018. He also appeared in the movie “When I Met You in Tokyo” in 2023. On television, he starred in the musical series “Lyric and Beat” in 2022, and has taken on supporting roles in dramas like “Can’t Buy Me Love”. He has also been a regular presence as a host on shows like iWant ASAP and Your Face Sounds Familiar Online, and as a mentor on Dream Maker. In 2023, Espanto joined the popular noontime show It’s Showtime as a host and a judge on the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” segment, and in 2024, he continued his hosting duties as the show began airing on GMA Network.

Beyond his artistic pursuits, Espanto was appointed as the first celebrity Youth Advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines in 2020, focusing on climate action, biodiversity conservation, and youth empowerment. He was reappointed for a second term in 2021. He has also used his platform to support charitable causes, such as his online birthday benefit concert in 2020, which raised funds for ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pag-ibig program, and his participation in the “By Request” benefit concert for the victims of Typhoon Odette.

Throughout his career, Darren Espanto has received numerous awards and recognitions, acknowledging his significant contributions to the music industry. 

Videos

Albums

• Darren (2014)
• The Next Star Chronicles: The Early Years (2015)
• Be With Me (2016)
• Be With Me Deluxe Edition (2017)
• D’s Christmas (2017)

Album Collaborations

• Now (YTV’s The Next Star Season 5 – 2011)
• Oh Oh Santa (YTV’s The Next Star Season 5 – 2011)
• The Voice Kids: The Album (2014)
• Lord Merry Christmas (My Christmas Album: All-Stars – 2014)
• Chandelier (The Hottest Pinoy Hits … Ever! – 2016)
• I’ll Be There (Life Songs – MMK Commemorative Album – 2016)
• Lyric & Beat (Lyric and Beat, Vol 01 – 2022)
• Jonathan Manalo Overture (Lyric and Beat, Vol 01 – 2022)
• Tara Tena (Lyric and Beat, Vol 01 – 2022)
• Pagbigyang Muli (Lyric and Beat, Vol 02 – 2022)
• Pangarap Kong Pangarap Mo (Lyric and Beat, Vol 02 – 2022)
• Power of the Dream (Lyric and Beat, Vol 02 – 2022)
• Duyan (Lyric and Beat, Vol 03 – 2022)
• Pangarap Kong Pangarap Mo (Lyric and Beat, Vol 03 – 2022)
• Bakit Lumuluha? (Lyric and Beat, Vol 04 – 2022)
• Lyric and Beat Final Competition Version (Lyric and Beat, Vol 04 – 2022)

Singles

• Dying Inside to Hold You (2017)
• Poison (2018)
• Sasagipin Kita (2019)
• Believe in Christmas (2020)
• Tama Na (2021)
• Marry Me, Marry You (2021)
• Pabalik Sayo (2022)
• Smile Again (Masskara Festival 2022)
• Bibitaw Na (2023)
• Iyo (2024)

Song Collaborations

• Thank You, Ang Babait Ninyo (ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID 2014)
• Sana Tayo Na (Jayda Avanzado – 2020)
• Heaven (Callum Scott – 2022)
• A Whole New World (Morissette – 2019)
• First Day Vibe (AC Bonifacio – 2022)

TV

• The Next Star (Season 5 finalist – 2012)
• Life with Boys (2013)
• The Voice Kids Philippines (Season 1 finalist – 2014)
• ASAP (2015-present)
• Marry Me, Marry You (2022)
• Dream Maker: Search for the Next Global Pop Group (2022)
• It’s Showtime (2023-present)
• Can’t Buy Me Love (2023)

Digital Specials

• iWantASAP (2020-present)
• Your Face Sounds Familiar PH (2021)
• Lyric and Beat (2022)

Film

• The Hows of Us (2018)
• When I Met You in Tokyo (2023)

Awards

Awit Awards

• Best Album Package (Darren: The Album – 2015)
• Best Performance by a New Male Recording Artist (In Love Ako Sa’Yo – 2015)
• Best Selling Album of the Year (Be With Me – 2017)
• People Choice Awards: Album of the Year (Be With Me – 2017)
• People Choice Awards: Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist (Alam – 2017)
• People Choice Awards: Best Collaboration (I’ll Be There with Jed Madela – 2017)
• People Choice Awards: Song of the Year (Alam -2017)
• People Choice Awards: Record of the Year (Alam -2017)

Box Office Entertainment Awards

• Promising Male Singer/Performer (2015)
• Promising Male Concert Performer (2016 & 2018)

MYX Music Awards

• Favorite New Artist (2015)
• Favorite Male Artist (2016)
• Favorite MYX Celebrity VJ (2016)
• Favorite Artist (2017)
• Favorite Male Artist (2017)
• Favorite Remake (I’ll Be There with Jed Madela – 2018)
• Male Artist of the Year (2019)
• Remake of the Year (Dying Inside to Hold You – 2019)

MOR Music Awards

• Album of the Year (Darren: The Album – 2016)
• Album of the Year (Be With Me – 2017)

PMPC Star Awards for Music

• Album Cover and Concept of the Year (Darren: The Album – 2015)
• Pop Album of the Year (Darren: The Album – 2015)
• Cover Design of the Year (Be With Me – 2016)
• Male Pop Artist of the Year (2016)

Wish Music Awards

• Best Wish Cover (In Love Ako Sa’Yo – 2016)
• Most Wishful Fandom (Darrenatics – 2016)
• Wish Ballad Song of the Year (I Believe in Me – 2016)
• Wish Original Song of the Year (Stuck – 2016)
• Wish Performance by a Young Artist (Chandelier by Sia Cover – 2016)
• Wish Song of the Year (I Believe in Me – 2016)
• Wish Viral Video of the Year (Chandelier by Sia Cover – 2016)
• Wish Elite Circle Bronze (Chandelier by Sia Cover – 2017)
• Wish Original Song of the Year by a Male Artist (7 Minutes – 2017)
• Wish Performance by a Young Artist (I Believe – 2017)
• Wish Young Artist of the Year (2017)
• Wishclusive Collaboration of the Year (A Whole New World with Morissette – 2020)
• Wish Elite Circle Bronze (A Whole New World with Morissette – 2020)
• Wishclusive Ballad Performance of the Year (Sasagipin Kita – 2021)
• Wish Elite Circle Silver (A Whole New World with Morissette – 2021)

EdukCircle Awards

• Most Influential Concert Performer of The Year (2015, 2016 & 2019)
• Most Outstanding Teen Artist of the Year (2017, 2018 & 2019)
• Male Music Artist of the Year (2019)

Golden Laurel LPU Batangas Media Awards

• Best Male Singer (2017)
• Best Male Recording Artist of the Year (2018)

ASAP Pop Viewers’ Choice Awards

• Pop Male Cutie (2014)
• Pop Heartthrob (2016)

Inside Showbiz Awards

• Favorite Male Performer (2029)
• Best Young Artist (2020)

PEP List

• Male Teen Star of the Year (2015 & 2016)

Push Awards

• Awesome Song Cover Performance (2015)
• PushGram Most Loved Newcomer (2015)
• PushLike Most Liked Newcomer (2015)
• PushTweet Favorite Newcomer (2015)
• Popular Song Cover (I Believe – 2016)
• Push Elite Music Artist Celebrity of the Year (2016)
• PushLike Male Celebrity (2016)
• PushLike Music Artist (2016)
• PushPlay Music Artist (2016)
• Push Cover of the Year (A Whole New World with Morissette – 2020)

RAWR Awards

• Male Performer of the Year (2015)
• Viral Video of the Year (Chandelier – 2015)
• Fan Club of the Year (Darrenatics – 2016)
• Favorite Song of the Year (7 Minutes – 2016)
• Supporting Actor of the Year (2018)

Star Cinema Awards

• Best Fandom (Darrenatics – 2014)
• Most Promising Child Star (2014)
• Newsmaker of the Year (2014)
• Favorite Trending Sensation (2015)

Others

• Alta Media Icon Awards Song of the Year (Stuck -2016)
• Comguild Academe’s Choice Awards Male Artist of the Year (2019)
• Gawad Musika Awards Outstanding Worldclass Male Performing Artist (2019)
• Laguna Excellence Awards Outstanding Male Pop Artist of the Year (2020)
• Village Pipol Choice Awards Performer of thr Year (2020)

Nominations

Aliw Awards

• Best New Male Artist (2015)
• Best Major Concert (Darren Espanto: D’ Birthday Concert – 2016)

Awit Awards

• Best Christmas Recording (Lord Merry Christmas by Bassilyo feat. The Voice Kids Top 6 & Thank You, Ang Babait Ninyo by The Voice Kids Top 4 – 2015)
• Best Album Package (Darren Espanto: The Early Years – 2016)
• Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist (I Believe – 2016)
• Best Engineered Recording (Sasagipin Kita – 2020)
• Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist (Sasagipin Kita – 2020)
• Best Pop Recording (Sasagipin Kita – 2020)

MYX Music Awards

• Favorite Remake (Somebody to Love – 2015)
• Favorite Artist (2016)
• Favorite Music Video (Makin’ Moves – 2016)
• Favorite Song (Stuck – 2016)
• Favorite Music Video (7 Minutes – 2017)
• Favorite Song (7 Minutes – 2017)
• Favorite Artist (2018)
• Favorite Male Artist (2018)
• Favorite Collaboration (I’ll Be There with Jed Madela – 2018)
• Artist of the Year (2019)

MOR Music Awards

• Best New Artist of the Year (2016)
• Best Revival of the Year (In Love Ako Sa’Yo – 2019)
• Male Aritst of the Year (2018)
• Best Collaboration (Nanay, Tatay with Gloc-9, Anne Curtis – 2019)
• Male Artist of the Year (Poison – 2019)

PMPC Star Awards for Music

• Album of the Year (Darren: The Album – 2015)
• New Male Recording Artist of the Year (2015)
• Album of the Year (Be With Me – 2026)
• Concert of the Year (D’ Birthday Concert – 2016)
• Dance Album of the Year (Be With Me – 2016)
• Male Concert Performer of the Year (2016)
• Male Recording Artist of the Year (2016)
• Pop Album of the Year (Be With Me – 2016)
• Song of the Year (Home – 2016)
• Dance Recording of the Year (Poison – 2019)
• Male Concert Performer of the Year (2019)
• Male Pop Artist of the Year (2019 & 2022)
• Collaboration of the Year (Sana Tayo Na with Jayda)

EdukCircle Awards

• Most Influential Male Music Artist of the Year (2016)

ASAP Pop Viewers’ Choice Awards

• Pop Teen Heartthrob (2015)
• Pop Teen Fans Club (2015)

Hello Asia AU

• Asian Artist of the Year (2015 & 2016)

Push Awards

• Awesome OOTD King (2015)
• PushPlay Best Group or Tandem (2015)

RAWR Awards

• Fan Club of the Year (Darrenatics – 2020)
• Favorite Performer (2020)

Star Cinema Awards

• Favorite Fandom (Darrenatics – 2015)
• Favorite Social Media Celebrity (2015)
• Favorite Male Recording Artist (2016)
• Favorite Social Media Personality (2016)
• Favorite Trending Sensation (2016)

Village Pipol Choice Awards

• Fandom of the Year (Darrenatics – 2020 & 2021)
• VP Cover of the Year (2020 & 2021)
• Performer of the Year (2021)

Endorsements

• 7-Eleven City Cafe
• Chowking PH
• Penshoppe

Perspective

Equally as astounding as Darren’s powerful vocals is his string of achievements. Before his mid 20’s he had already amassed 134 nominations, 77 of which he won, from various award giving bodies. It is no small feat to have worked so hard at such a young age to reach such a high level of accomplishment as a young adult. What is even harder is to stay as humble and grounded as Darren.

Praise for the Artist

To every person Darren idolized, this is a warning to all of you: this kid will outshine you someday.

– Lea Salongga
Tony Award winning theater actress
Filipino music icon, The Voice Kids coach

A winner and a complete package.

– Sarah Geronimo
Filipino music icon, The Voice Kids coach

So effortless. Incredible voice!

– Nicki Minaj
International singer-songwriter

This is beautiful… your voice will touch so many people.

– Fantasia Barrino
American Singer
American Idol Season 3 winner

Contact

• facebook.com/DarrenEspantoAuthentic
• x.com/Espanto2001
• instagram.com/darrenespanto
• youtube.com – Darren Espanto
• tiktok.com/@darrenespanto

Bookings

• Artist contact

Listen

• Spotify – Darren Espanto
• Apple Music – Darren Espanto

Apple Music

On Instagram

Trivia

• Darren likes snacking in the middle of the night.
• He sometimes talks in his sleep.
• He has a pug named Crinkle.
• Both of Darren’s parents are nurses.
• Darren graduated from high school at the Sanston Academy Homeschool of Asia Pacific with first honors.

Posted: April 12, 2025