Darren Espanto, nagulantang sa viral performance na nakakuha ng endorsements
- Darren Espanto said he never expected his “Maui Wowie” performance to go viral after it was assigned for an ASAP production
- The singer revealed he was unfamiliar with the Kid Cudi song, which originally came out in 2008 and resurfaced through TikTok trends
- His unique rendition, performed an octave higher, quickly spread online and was widely recreated by fans and personalities
- Even brands and corporate events reportedly joined the trend, making the viral moment expand beyond social media platforms
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Darren Espanto has opened up about the unexpected viral success of his “Maui Wowie” performance, saying he never imagined it would reach such a wide audience or introduce him to a new wave of fans.
Source: Instagram
In his guest appearance on “Oh My Gan!”, Espanto shared that the song was assigned to him for an “ASAP” production after it started trending on TikTok. At the time, he admitted he was not familiar with the track.
“I didn’t think much of it ‘cause I didn’t know the song,” he said.
The song, “Maui Wowie” by Kid Cudi, was originally released in 2008 but resurfaced years later as part of an online trend. Its revival on social media eventually led to Espanto being tasked to perform it on stage.
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Because of its low vocal range, Espanto decided to reinterpret it in his own style.
“Darrenfied na 'Maui Wowie.' Kasi nga 'yung song mababa sa akin. Kaya ko siya kinanta nang an octave higher,” he explained.
His performance, which aired on ASAP, quickly went viral online. Fans began creating edits, covers, and memes, further boosting its popularity across platforms.
Espanto also revealed that the trend grew beyond social media, reaching even commercial brands. Companies such as 7-Eleven Philippines, Chowking, and Beautéderm reportedly joined in on the viral moment.
“Yung 7/11, Chowking, BeauteDerm, related na siya sa 'Maui Wowie.' Tawang-tawa ako kasi ang bilis din nila,” he shared.
He added that even corporate events began requesting him to perform the viral number, sometimes with stage setups inspired by his “ASAP” performance, including monkey bars.
“People see me on the street… hindi na siya nawawala. Sinisigaw ng tao 'Maui Wowie.' Lalo na 'yung mga bata,” he said.
Despite the massive viral attention, Espanto emphasized that a more defining moment in his career was joining It’s Showtime.
“I feel like joining ‘It’s Showtime’ isa 'yun sa pinaka-pivotal moments sa career ko talaga,” he said.
He added that the show helped him connect more deeply with everyday Filipinos and shaped his growth as an artist.
“Mas namulat 'yung mata ko after joining ‘It’s Showtime,’” he said.
Espanto also described the show’s environment as genuine and family-like, noting how issues are addressed openly among hosts and staff.
“Talagang pamilya siya. And it’s not just plastikan eh. It’s like kung na-offend kita, may magso-sorry agad,” he said.
Darren Espanto is a Canadian-born Filipino singer, television personality, and actor. He first gained public attention as a contestant on YTV’s reality competition series The Next Star. His popularity grew even more after joining the first season of The Voice Kids Philippines, where he finished as runner-up. Since then, Darren has built a successful career in music and entertainment, becoming one of the most recognized young Filipino performers in his generation.
In separate news, Jayda Avanzado opened up about her past special connection with Darren Espanto during their teenage years in an interview on “TicTALK with Aster Amoyo.” She confirmed that they once shared a “mutual understanding” and were very close as young artists. However, their relationship eventually drifted apart due to busy schedules and different life paths, with no conflict involved. Jayda said she has moved on and now looks back at their bond with gratitude and fondness.
Meanwhile, Alexa Ilacad publicly expressed her gratitude to Darren Espanto for supporting her during a crucial performance. According to reports from ABS-CBN, Darren helped calm Alexa when she experienced an anxiety attack backstage. The actress described him as a “gem” and appreciated their strong friendship. Fans also praised Darren for his consistent support and genuine care, highlighting the strong bond between the two young artists.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
