Darren Espanto

Darren Lyndon Espanto (born May 24, 2001) is a Filipino-Canadian singer, actor, and television personality.

He 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. He was signed to ABS-CBN's Star Magic talent agency 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, Alberta, Canada on May 24, 2001. He is the first child of Filipino registered nurses Marinel Gonzales and Lyndon Espanto, who emigrated to Canada from Nueva Vizcaya province in the Philippines. Espanto also has a younger sister, Lynelle. He speaks Tagalog.

Espanto started singing at the age of three. As a toddler, he serenaded his parents with the tunes like "Hakuna Matata" from The Lion King. When his family realized his talents, they urged him to pursue singing as a career.

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 for Ylona Garcia, and claimed he only had a friendship with AC Bonifacio. Darren also confirmed with Abunda he was "in a relationship" with Cassy Legaspi, and they had "romantic feelings" for each other.

In August 2024, Espanto underwent an emergency appendectomy.

Espanto, along with the other The Voice Kids finalists, received a ₱350,000 scholarship from Eton International School. Upon moving to the Philippines, he attended Eton International School and later began homeschooling under The Homeschool of Asia Pacific, 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, the Achiever Award and the Excellence in Music and Arts Award.