Kapamilya Spotlight: The stellar music journey of Darren Espanto

Liezel dela Cruz

<p>As a former trainee himself and with so many amazing milestones and growth as an artist, Asia’s Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto pays it forward by helping other aspirants as one of the mentors in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/DREAMMAKER"><em><strong><u>Dream Maker</u></strong></em></a>, the country’s first idol survival search.</p><p>In the talent show, which is a collaboration between ABS-CBN, Kamp Korea, and MLD Entertainment, the aspirants will go through rigorous training with the help of mentors, in the hopes of making it to the final group that will debut in Korea.  </p><p>Achieving dreams in the music industry involves intense work, discipline, and talent, challenging yet worth it, and with how Darren has been living his pop star life so far, we see how this all comes into play. As he takes part in the huge responsibility of shaping the “dream chasers” into becoming the next global pop group, let’s take a look back on his incredibly impressive and inspiring music journey via this edition of Kapamilya Spotlight.</p><div><strong>The Next Star </strong></div><p>Darren started young in the music scene. He was 10 (the youngest contender) when he joined the 5th season of “The Next Star,” a Canadian TV talent show where he belted out Bruno Mars’ “Grenade” during the audition and finished in the Top 6. Not only did he impress with his mind-blowing talent but he also earned the judges’ respect for his positive attitude, which is an essential factor for a star.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dor8zCVjWy4" title="Darren Espanto   The Next Star Compilation" width="640"></iframe></div><div><strong>The Voice Kids Philippines   </strong></div><p>But the biggest game-changer in his budding career came in the form of a two-chair turn audition in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/thevoiceteens"><em><strong><u>The Voice Kids Philippines</u></strong></em></a>. His rendition of Jessie J’s mega-hit “Domino” was an easy sell to Bamboo Mañalac and his eventual coach Sarah Geronimo. He would finish as the second placer and make it to Lea Salonga’s “top three unforgettable voices on The Voice of the Philippines.”</p><div><iframe domino="" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OfsH49uYWs4" title="The Voice Kids Philippines Blind Audition " width="640"></iframe></div><div><strong>ASAP Natin ‘To</strong></div><p>Darren was absorbed by the country’s longest-running concert TV show where he has made it clear that his talent knows no bound. He brings his A-game on the ASAP stage whether it&#x27;s a ballad, pop, or a rock performance, and in his collaborations with the biggest names in OPM. From being Sarah’s protégé, he became one of her constant co-performers on the show. </p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-mpSBVAO9o0" title="Sarah G &amp; Darren" s="" collab="" with="" Rivermaya="" ASAP="" Natin="" width="640"></iframe></div><p>He has found a home on the ASAP stage where he evolved not just as a singer but a total performer, gifting spectators with stellar, ‘hataw’ performances each time.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BIOrkf_4E2A" title="" Lyric="" and="" stars="" Darren="" AC="" show="" off="" their="" dance="" moves="" ASAP="" Natin="" width="640"></iframe></div><div><strong>The Hows Of Us</strong></div><p>Darren’s journey involves a lot of possibilities and moving out of his comfort zone. From a recording artist and concert performer, he ventured into acting by starring in the record-breaking 2018 movie “The Hows Of Us” with no less than Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.    </p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MkrAZfmHfHk" title="UKG: Darren Espanto nagpasalamat sa magandang feedback ng kanyang pag arte" width="640"></iframe></div><div><strong>Lyric and Beat</strong></div><p>Following the height of the pandemic, apart from a homecoming concert and performances on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/asap"><em><strong><u>ASAP Natin ‘To</u></strong></em></a>, he also starred in the musical series “Lyric and Beat” where he showcased again his strengths as a total performer.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zgcDU_gDj4A" title="Darren Espanto and AC Bonifacio as Jazz and Cadence | Lyric and Beat" width="640"></iframe></div><p>A lot has changed about Darren since making a storm in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/thevoiceteens"><em><strong><u>The Voice Kids</u></strong></em></a> and these changes, physically and artistically, are nothing but good things. Amid the pandemic, he surprised us by reinventing himself as a full-grown, more daring young man carrying the moniker “Asia’s Pop Heartthrob” as a step in conquering the global music scene.</p><p>The <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/thevoiceteens"><em><strong><u>The Voice Kids</u></strong></em></a> alumnus now shines more than ever and is geared up for the next chapter in his career, this time, sharing his musical genius gleaned through the years to other dreamers.</p><div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="314" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDreamMakerOfc%2Fvideos%2F1325993104874789%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="560"></iframe></div><p>Catch Darren as one of the Pinoy mentors in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/DREAMMAKER"><em><strong><u>Dream Maker</u></strong></em></a> alongside Angeline Quinto and Bailey May, together with an international panel of Korean mentors and trainers.</p><p><a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/DREAMMAKER"><em><strong><u>Dream Maker</u></strong></em></a>, hosted by Kim Chiu and Ryan Bang,  airs Saturdays and Sundays starting November 19 and 20 on <strong><u><a href="https://kapamilyachannel.com/">Kapamilya Channel</a>, <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-news/kapamilya-channel-livestream-12685">Kapamilya Online Live</a></u></strong>, and A2Z.</p>

The former “The Voice Kids” baby is all grown up and ready for the next chapter in his career as a mentor to aspiring global idols. 

Kapamilya Spotlight: The stellar music journey of Darren Espanto | ABS-CBN

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Sports

More

TV

Kapamilya Spotlight: The stellar music journey of Darren Espanto

Kapamilya Spotlight: The stellar music journey of Darren Espanto

Liezel dela Cruz

Published Nov 16, 2022 03:15 AM PHT

Read More:

kapamilya spotlight

darren espanto

Darren music

Darren journey

the voice kids

the voice kids ph

the next star

asap

the hows of us

lyric and beat

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2024 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Advertise with Us

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

© 2024 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.