Taking the World by Storm
On December 23, 2017, in response to my request for his bio, ETA Emilio Santoro, who was 14 years old at the time, sent the following:
ETA Emilio Santoro. Photo Credit: Karen Marshall.
I was four years old when my mum, who is a huge Elvis fan, was watching videos of Elvis on the anniversary of his death. I wanted to watch him all the time after that. I got a little Elvis jumpsuit and my auntie then made me a gold lame suit and I continued to study Elvis at every opportunity. I have been performing just over a year and love everything about it—from performing live on stage in front of Elvis fans, to meeting other ETAs and being a part of the massive Elvis family around the world. I won best European novice in Birmingham in January, 2017, and then went on to win the Gold Lame Jacket for best 50s Elvis at the Porthcawl Elvis festival in September, 2017. This is what I want to do and I will keep practicing to pay the best tribute to Elvis that I can.
A lot has happened over the past three years, as seen in the following updated and edited version of Emilio’s bio that appears on his website:
Elvis Tribute Artist and Entertainer
Emilio Santoro, 17, hails from Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset, UK, and has been rising through the ETA ranks for a few years now having broken through at just 14 years of age.
He has picked up accolades, awards and fans along the way across the UK; and in 2019, he made his long awaited USA debut in Elvis's home town of Memphis during Elvis week. Whilst there, he performed at The Graceland Complex and also co-headlined in a very special show entitled 'Timeless' where several young artists from across the world offered their tribute to Elvis.
Emilio’s Elvis week experience culminated with entry into the 'Images of the King' World Championship Non Pro division where he overcame stiff opposition from all across the globe and triumphed to become Europe's youngest ever World Title winner—and this was just the beginning.
Following Memphis, Emilio entered the 2019 Porthcawl contest and walked away as Grand Champion in September. He then completed the ‘Hat Trick’ in Blackpool at the ‘Return to Memphis’ contest in early November. It seems 2019 was Emilio’s breakthrough year! Everyone is very excited to see what the future holds on both sides of the Atlantic for this very talented, young ETA.
In 2020, Emilio headlined again at the Harbor Lights Elvis Festival in the UK; and if all goes well, he will be competing and performing again during Elvis week in Memphis.
In 2021, Emilio will be headlining at several events in the UK as well as festivals in Virginia and Georgia, USA. In November, 2021, he will headline on the 'Timeless' Bahamas Cruise. Emilio looks forward to seeing you at one of his shows and thanks you for visiting his official website: www.emiliosantoro.com
Pictured in this photo by Mark Shuttleworth are (l to r) ETAs Billy Collins, Tommy Holland, Emilio Santoro, Taylor Rodriguez (Ultimate 2019), and Riley Jenkins at the 2020 Harbour Lights Festival, UK.
Emilio, who is now a college student, certainly has a very bright future as an ETA. We wish him continued success with his ETA career and school studies. It is our hope that someday soon we will see him perform and compete in one of our local festivals. Best wishes from fans everywhere and followers of SIDEBURNS Magazine. Carolyn MacArthur, Editor.
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Featuring photos by Carole Robson, Eva Brand, Bill Blundell and Mark Shuttleworth.
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