A British teenager who first began mimicking ‘The King of Rock and Roll’ as a toddler has been named as Europe’s prime Elvis impersonator.
19-year-old Emilio Santoro, from Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, was topped the European Elvis tribute artist champion for 2022 at a ceremony in Birmingham.
Emilio, who began impersonating Elvis on the age of 4 after being launched to the legendary musician by his grandparents, mentioned being dubbed Europe’s finest Elvis was a ‘dream come true’.
Emilio began selecting up on his mannerisms by learning movies of the enduring rockstar, and even confirmed off his model in a selfmade jumpsuit within the model of ‘The King’.
He went on to carry out as Elvis throughout college expertise reveals, and competed in his first competitors on the continent aged 14, the place he admits he was left ‘shaking like a leaf’.
19-year-old Emilio Santoro, from Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, was topped the European Elvis tribute artist champion for 2022 at a ceremony in Birmingham
A four-year-old Emilio Santoro poses in full Elvis Presley outfit he acquired from household for Christmas in 2006
Emilio, who began impersonating Elvis (proper) on the age of 4 after being launched to the legendary musician by his grandparents, mentioned being dubbed Europe’s finest Elvis was a ‘dream come true’
Held yearly across the birthday weekend of Elvis, the European Elvis championship and conference sees dozens of tribute acts battle it out to be named the European Champion.
The occasion, held in Birmingham’s Metropole Resort, is known to be among the many largest annual Elvis impersonation competitions in Europe.
Emilio instructed the BBC of his win: ‘Everybody at all times says life’s too brief – comply with your desires, and it could not be any extra true actually. To be topped champion is simply superb.
‘I had a jumpsuit that my nan and auntie put collectively for me and ever since then I’ve needed to pursue this as a profession.
‘The entire supportive messages on social media have been so humbling.’
Emilio went on to carry out as Elvis throughout college expertise reveals, and competed in his first competitors on the continent aged 14, the place he admits he was left ‘shaking like a leaf’
Emilio, then aged seven, is pictured carrying a gold go well with within the model of his idol Elvis Presley
Emilio (third from left) is pictured alongside fellow tribute acts in the course of the the European Elvis championship and conference in Birmingham on January 7
Emilio first took an interest within the legendary rocker due to his iconic look and the best way he carried out on stage which he has realized to imitate.
{The teenager}’s subsequent present is in his house city, forward of performances in Germany, America and Canada, as nicely a UK tour in November.
He added: ‘It is solely simply began sinking in now. I had a dream since I used to be a younger age that I needed to be on the stage.
‘At first I used to be nervous to pursue that dream however fortunately I’ve a household behind me and since then I’ve by no means appeared again.’
Emilio first took an interest within the legendary rocker due to his iconic look and the best way he carried out on stage which he has realized to imitate
Neither of Emilio’s mother and father have a musical background with mum, Emma Santoro, working as a enterprise supervisor for a meals catering firm and her husband Joe is a self-employed builder.
Emma mentioned she was ‘an emotional wreck’ watching her son within the competitors however he ‘blew us away’.
‘We have watched him, we have helped coach him, we have seen the hours of labor that he places in, so to see him lastly get recognition is simply superb,’ she mentioned.
‘His grandparents had been initially stunned that Emilio had latched onto Elvis at such a younger age, which amused them however they like it and have at all times inspired him.
‘I am an enormous Elvis fan so it gave me nice pleasure in seeing him love every thing Elvis.
‘I am so proud that he has stayed true to himself and did not comply with the group and has truly made his mates conscious of Elvis.’
Emilio mentioned he prefers singing Elvis’s gospel music and ballads that are much less well-known however the followers love.