A 21-YEAR-OLD Elvis tribute act from Weston-super-Mare has won $20,000 prize and a replica of the King’s gold belt after taking part in the Ultimate Elvis Competition in Memphis.
Emilio Santoro said he has now been endorsed by the Elvis Presley Enterprise after the competition held at the Graceland Complex earlier this month.
Emilio, a former Corpus Christi and Worle Secondary pupil, has been a fan of the King since he was four thanks to his mum, and has been running shows since he was 13.
He won the competition after his second appearance and said the experience was “nerve-wracking” but “amazing” at the same time.
He said: “I went to Memphis, the home of Elvis, earlier this month. I was at the Graceland Complex for the competition.
“With this title, I won $20,000 prize and a replica Gold Elvis Belt.
“I am now represented and endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprise and the Graceland estate as the World’s Best Elvis Tribute Artist.
“It is held over the week of Elvis’ death, and it starts on the 10 and runs through the 16, and I won the first prize at the Ultimate Elvis Competition.
“I have been a fan since the age of four and I started doing shows when I was 13.
“I have loved Elvis Presley since I was four years old and started to become an Elvis Tribute Artist at the age of 15.
“I started singing in local pubs around Weston then attended Elvis Festivals and competitions, my first being The Porthcawl Elvis festival that I won aged 16.
“I always wanted to win that competition, it’s the highest accolade for tribute acts. Now I am fully endorsed by the Elvis Enterprise.
“I became a fan thanks to my mum. She has always been a fan and I remember listening to Elvis records or watching live shows on TV.
“I fell in love with the music and once I picked up the nearest remote control and started mimicking his mannerism.
“It’s always a honour to be in Memphis, the competition is literally across the road from Elvis’ old house.
“To be in the competition was a nervous experience but this time I felt a little more confident then the previous time I was there two years ago. It was nerve-wracking but amazing.
“I recently sold out two shows at The Playhouse and am also hosting my first Elvis festival, ‘Elvis, Raised on Rock’ at The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare on Saturday 18, January 2025, tickets are available and selling well.”
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