Dubai: After conquering North Norfolk’s Got Talent in the UK where they lived for several years, new Abu Dhabi residents Angelo Bernal and Ryan Mayor emerged as champions yet again, this time in the UAE.
Bernal, 36, and Mayor, 43, bested four other pairs in the finals of Expat Duets on Friday, ending a six-week musical showdown that saw them initially competing with nine singing pairs, including first Philippine Idol Mau Marcelo who dropped out in the fifth week of the competition.
In the finals, Bernal and Mayor gave an operatic pop rendition of Evanescence’s Bring Me To Life and a hair-raising rendition of the Impossible Dream that sent the packed crowd at Vegas Dubai on their feet, giving loud cheers and applause.
Speaking to Gulf News, Bernal was modest about their latest victory. "We didn't expect to win but we practiced every day," he said.
"During practice it's like performance level. No slacking. And we fought a few times because of that," Mayor said. "I always end up rationalising that my passion is not as great as his and that I just tag along and that I'd rather host an event than sing."
The two were popular in the local entertainment circuit in the UK and have had concerts there after winning North Northfolk's Got Talent where they were the only Filipino contenders.
The UAE is a new ground for them. They moved to the emirates four months ago after being offered better paying jobs in the capital.
"We joined Expat Duets to meet new friends who share the same interests as us and we believe we got that... the calibre of singers we mixed with there happen to be great," he said.
Bernal said he and Mayor "love performing", although they know that the "practical thing is having a good paying and stable job".
Does this mean they'll shun the spotlight in the UAE? Not quite, the duo revealed. "Angelo gets depressed when he doesn't get to sing regularly," Mayor said.
What can we expect from them after this? There are some solo singing competitions in the pipeline. "And I will take whatever comes along, including gigs," Mayor said, before finally admitting: "I do love performing on stage."
