Emilio Santoro crowned 2024 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Winner in America - 7 years after Jill Dando News reporters covered his story
By Jill Dando News
Emilio Santoro has been named 2024 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Winner in America.
Emilio, 21, takes home a $20,000 cash prize, the Ultimate winner belt, and the title.
The former Worle School student in Somerset first started performing his incredible talent at school shows
And in his first ever interview when he was 14, he was asked questions by Jill Dando New reporters aged nine from Ashcombe Primary School.
He has since gone onto great things across the world, including being named European Elvis Tribute Artist Champion and having a world tour.
He first competed in a European competition at 14 but started doing his impersonations aged four.
While at Worle School, Jill Dando News reporters covered the story of his incredible talent which was followed up by BBC TV.
At the time he told us: “My school has really supported me in my passion and have been brilliant. I am eager to do this for a living across the world.”
Years later week he told Jill Dando News reporters: “Everyone always says life's too short; follow your dreams, and it couldn't be more true really.
“To be crowned their champion is just amazing. I had a jumpsuit that my nan and auntie put together for me and ever since then I've wanted to pursue this as a career.”
Jill Dando News was launched in 2017 out of Jill’s former school.
It has since then trained hundreds of young people aged 8 to 18 to write find and publish positive good news stories to the world.
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