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Hugo turns three and becomes world's youngest 'Got Talent' winner...and the Pope wants to meet him
17/12/2019
BABY Hugo is now not just famous for being Spain's Got Talent's youngest contestant – he has become its tiniest-ever winner.
And even the Pope wants to meet him.
The little chap left judges stunned in September when he appeared on the show, then aged two – he is now three – by his musical prowess.
In preparation for the toddler's overwhelming experience of walking onto a stage in front of a live audience, presenter Santi Millán told everyone not to clap or cheer when he appeared in case they scared him – and his dad, Manuel Jesús, was also apprehensive in case his son 'went all shy' and did not perform.
But although judges were expecting a heart-warming performance, they did not imagine they would witness a flawless grasp of beat or playing ability that would have impressed them in a much older child, or even an adult.
Once on set, Manuel Jesús asked his little boy, “How do we play the drums, Hugo?”
And Hugo began an almost perfect Semana Santa, or Easter parade marching rhythm with his sticks.
Another presenter, Spain's Eurovision 2015 entry and Manchester United player David de Gea's partner Edurne, said after Hugo had finished that her 'head was still spinning' with so much talent.
And, forgetting his own advice, Millán was among the judges who burst into spontaneous applause, whoops and cheers afterwards – causing Manuel Jesús, overcome by the moment, to burst into tears.
All five judges – even 'bad guy' Risto Mejide, who is notoriously hard to impress – gave Hugo an unqualified 'yes' to continuing in the show.
Between then and now, the little fellow has celebrated his third birthday, but is still the youngest-ever contestant to win the Got Talent competition in any country in the world where it is shown.
This time, in the final, Hugo played the beats for a Christmas carol sung by a choir – and, for the first time, entirely from memory.
He did not hesitate once or hit a single bad note, confirming the judges' view that his talent is innate.
In fact, Mejide said a gift of Hugo's magnitude is something that 'you've never seen before and will never see again', and told the tot he had 'made history' – although the mini-musician is too young to understand what that means as yet.
Fellow judge Paz Padilla joked, “Is it true he's also taking driving lessons?” And described baby Hugo as 'totally edible', whilst her co-judge Dani Martínez said he was 'utterly amazing'.
Percussion bands and drummers worldwide – including Scott Johnson and Kevin O - have sent in messages congratulating Hugo on his amazing playing, but the message which caused Hugo's mum and dad to burst into tears came from the Secretary-General of Spain's Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Luis Argüello, who said Pope Francisco had watched the toddler's performance and was so impressed he wanted to meet him, offering the family the chance of a personal 'audience with'.
Hugo was up against contestantants Ismailah, Levi and Estrella, and Lucas the Wizard, the most-voted by the public, but these competitors were all pretty sure it was a done deal before they went on stage and, if they had to miss the winning slot, were happy to do so if it was to Hugo.
Manuel Jesús and his wife stood in for their son when the judges' verdict was passed, since the baby had worn himself out with his show and it was past his bedtime.
Hugo has won €25,000 as the top prize for his drumming, meaning either a massive amount of Christmas presents, or perhaps his parents will invest it for him to help him get onto the property ladder in 20 or so years' time.
Photograph: Mediaset
Related Topics
BABY Hugo is now not just famous for being Spain's Got Talent's youngest contestant – he has become its tiniest-ever winner.
And even the Pope wants to meet him.
The little chap left judges stunned in September when he appeared on the show, then aged two – he is now three – by his musical prowess.
In preparation for the toddler's overwhelming experience of walking onto a stage in front of a live audience, presenter Santi Millán told everyone not to clap or cheer when he appeared in case they scared him – and his dad, Manuel Jesús, was also apprehensive in case his son 'went all shy' and did not perform.
But although judges were expecting a heart-warming performance, they did not imagine they would witness a flawless grasp of beat or playing ability that would have impressed them in a much older child, or even an adult.
Once on set, Manuel Jesús asked his little boy, “How do we play the drums, Hugo?”
And Hugo began an almost perfect Semana Santa, or Easter parade marching rhythm with his sticks.
Another presenter, Spain's Eurovision 2015 entry and Manchester United player David de Gea's partner Edurne, said after Hugo had finished that her 'head was still spinning' with so much talent.
And, forgetting his own advice, Millán was among the judges who burst into spontaneous applause, whoops and cheers afterwards – causing Manuel Jesús, overcome by the moment, to burst into tears.
All five judges – even 'bad guy' Risto Mejide, who is notoriously hard to impress – gave Hugo an unqualified 'yes' to continuing in the show.
Between then and now, the little fellow has celebrated his third birthday, but is still the youngest-ever contestant to win the Got Talent competition in any country in the world where it is shown.
This time, in the final, Hugo played the beats for a Christmas carol sung by a choir – and, for the first time, entirely from memory.
He did not hesitate once or hit a single bad note, confirming the judges' view that his talent is innate.
In fact, Mejide said a gift of Hugo's magnitude is something that 'you've never seen before and will never see again', and told the tot he had 'made history' – although the mini-musician is too young to understand what that means as yet.
Fellow judge Paz Padilla joked, “Is it true he's also taking driving lessons?” And described baby Hugo as 'totally edible', whilst her co-judge Dani Martínez said he was 'utterly amazing'.
Percussion bands and drummers worldwide – including Scott Johnson and Kevin O - have sent in messages congratulating Hugo on his amazing playing, but the message which caused Hugo's mum and dad to burst into tears came from the Secretary-General of Spain's Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Luis Argüello, who said Pope Francisco had watched the toddler's performance and was so impressed he wanted to meet him, offering the family the chance of a personal 'audience with'.
Hugo was up against contestantants Ismailah, Levi and Estrella, and Lucas the Wizard, the most-voted by the public, but these competitors were all pretty sure it was a done deal before they went on stage and, if they had to miss the winning slot, were happy to do so if it was to Hugo.
Manuel Jesús and his wife stood in for their son when the judges' verdict was passed, since the baby had worn himself out with his show and it was past his bedtime.
Hugo has won €25,000 as the top prize for his drumming, meaning either a massive amount of Christmas presents, or perhaps his parents will invest it for him to help him get onto the property ladder in 20 or so years' time.
Photograph: Mediaset
Related Topics
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