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Why Orange County Choppers moved from New York to Florida?

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For several years, the New York-based bike-maker Orange County Choppers has been a staple, not only in the custom chopper industry but also for being the home of the internationally famous “American Chopper” and its unforgettable stars.

While the show enjoyed its fair share of highs and lows during the many years it aired, the business was relatively stable regardless of the passing of time, or so it seemed until a couple of years ago. These days, Orange County Choppers has completely said ‘goodbye’ to its old location, leaving its long-time fans with many unanswered questions about the real reason behind such a sudden move.

So what’s behind Orange County Choppers’ move? Could it have to do with legal problems, or something else? And what’s with the business now? Stay here to know all about it!

Why Was Orange County Choppers Relocated?

Certainly, the crew of Orange County Choppers experienced many memorable moments in their old location in Newburgh, New York State, but all things must come to an end at some point. That moment came in 2020, when Paul Sr relocated his beloved motorcycle body shop to St. Petersburg in Florida, where he established the new OCC, and Road House & Museum.

There were many reasons behind this sudden move, but the main ones were the difficulties experienced by the business to stay active in New York State during the pandemic, on top of Paul Sr’s displeasure at the taxes policies in his old home, as he said in an interview with WKRG.com.

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Besides feeling what he describes as more of a ‘sense of freedom’ in Florida, Paul Sr was also looking for a more active motorcycle community in the south. As he affirms, his fanbase is a lot bigger in Florida than in New York, especially given how in the latter the bike season lasts around three months compared to the nine-month bike season experienced in Florida: ‘The whole thing makes sense’, he affirmed.

While it’s sad to see Orange County Choppers saying goodbye to their old Newburgh shop, there are still a lot of adventures waiting for them elsewhere.

What Happened To The Old Location?

The old Orange County Choppers location in Newburgh was memorable, to say the least. Besides the fact it was there where most of the “American Choppers” seasons were filmed, the building was also a sight to behold for its impressive large crystal windows and modern-looking storefront.

Unfortunately, that building looks quite different now than it did in the old days. As it happened, the building was sold for $2.3 million at an auction in 2015; the price was shocking for a couple of reasons, given that it wasn’t nearly as high as the $13 million it cost to remodel it in 2008.

According to Record Online, it was the building’s owner who accepted selling the place for that low price, despite such a massive price drop. Following Orange County Choppers’ move to Florida in 2020, the radio station 107.7 GNA reported that the headquarters were in a rough condition, especially in the storefront spaces.

In early 2021, Paul Sr’s wife Joan Kay told the radio station 101.5 WPDH that she believed the building was put on sale once again, but further information about that wasn’t revealed. These days it’s unclear whether the building was repurposed, or left abandoned.

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Paul Teutul’s Bankruptcy Case

Besides the business reasons behind Orange County Choppers’ relocation to Florida, the move was also motivated by the taxing policies in New York State. This situation was especially concerning for Paul Sr, as in 2018 he owed $151,230.98 in personal taxes and another $22,000 in state taxes from his Orange County Choppers Cafe, which was located right next to his bike-building shop in Newburgh, as reported by Page Six.

That being said, taxes weren’t the only thing that Paul Sr worried about at the time, as in February 2018 he filed for bankruptcy for being unable to pay his millions in debt. At the time he claimed that he not only owed millions to dozens of investors, but also owed thousands in medical bills and to credit card companies. Reportedly, Paul Sr’s salary was barely over $15,000, but he had to pay $12,000 monthly. On top of that, at the time he was also facing a lawsuit against him.

In 2019, Paul Sr’s trustee warned that had a negative cash flow which made him most likely unable to pay his debts, even regardless of the Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan he had obtained. In the end, Paul paid off all his debts by selling his Orange County mansion for $1.9 million.

Other Legal Issues

In recent years, Paul Teutul Sr has been to court for more reasons than just his bankruptcy case. In 2018, Paul Sr was sued for fraud by businessman Thomas Derbyshire. According to court documents, in 2015 both men had agreed on investing in the creation of a new “American Chopper” spin-off entitled “American Made”, to be premiered on A&E. However, Paul Sr allegedly didn’t comply with his part of the deal, by refusing to work with co-star Rusty Coones from “Sons Of Anarchy”, interfering with the established filming schedules to travel, making advertising deals without consent, and trying to change the financial details of their contract to benefit himself further.

In the end, “American Made” didn’t make it to the TV screen, pushing Derbyshire to request the $3 million he invested in the project in his fraud lawsuit against Paul Sr, though the latter denied Debyshire’s claims, and it’s unclear what resulted of the case.

On the other hand, Paul Sr was ordered to pay $258,484.45 in damages to Scott Gunnells, a photographer who sued Sr and his son Michael for unauthorizedly using his pics on merchandise. He was also ordered to pay $30,000 in storage fees to an auto shop, all of this happening close to the time of Paul Sr’s bankruptcy filing, putting a strain on his already delicate financial situation at the time.

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Will The Show Come Back?

Ever since “American Chopper”s cancellation in 2010, fans of the series had wanted the show to return to TV in some way or another. Though they had their wishes granted with spin-offs such as “Senior Vs. Junior”, “Orange County Choppers” in 2013, and the revival of the original “American Chopper” in 2018, all of these didn’t air for more than a couple of seasons before being canceled.

The last time we saw Paul Teutul Sr on TV was in the 2020 special “American Chopper: The Last Ride”. In that two-hour-long episode, the audience got to see Paul Sr and Paul Jr reunite after so many years of estrangement which resulted from the continued personal and legal issues between father and son.

Though “The Last Ride” was a great way of saying goodbye to Orange County Choppers’ old New York State headquarters, and putting an end to the long-lasting feud between Sr and Jr, no news regarding a show renewal or a new spin-off has been released since then.

Even if filming could be quite difficult considering Sr and Jr now manage their respective businesses in different states, fans surely haven’t lost their hopes of seeing the Teutuls again on TV.

Where Is Paul Sr Now?

While there’s no denying that Paul Teutul Sr has gone through some unfortunate times in recent years, his life has seemingly improved since re-establishing his bike-building headquarters in Florida, plus the new OCC Road House & Museum.

The new 11,000 sqft facility not only allows the business to continue building bikes but also serves as a bike museum, restaurant, and live concert venue. As seen in OCC Road House’s social media, it often hosts motorcycle events and has become a popular social meeting place.

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Regarding Paul Sr’s personal life in Florida, in 2020 he expressed his satisfaction with his new lifestyle in an interview with News Channel 8: ‘Where I’m at in my life, it’s time for change and you feel the freedom in Florida.’ Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that Paul Sr has forgotten about his native New York forever, as in 2020, his wife Joan Kay told Record Online that there was a possibility of managing his bike-building activities from both places, though it’s unclear if that project has seen the light of day.

All in all, Paul Teutul Sr deserves some relaxing times after going through so many lawsuits, financial problems, and dealing with the weight of fame, even if most of his problems have been of his own making!

As the Managing Editor at The Legit, I direct a dynamic team dedicated to creating rich content that profiles the lives and accomplishments of influential figures. My commitment to detail and storytelling drives the production of biographies that truly engage our audience. I manage all aspects of the editorial process, from conducting thorough research to crafting vivid narratives, all while ensuring the accuracy and quality of our work. At The Legit, our goal is to offer our readers comprehensive profiles that provide deep insights into the realms of business, entertainment, and more. Through diligent research and engaging storytelling, we highlight the exceptional journeys and achievements of those who both inspire and intrigue us.

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How is Tim Malcolm from “90 Day Fiancé” doing today?

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Tim Malcolm is one of the many colorful characters in the “90 Day Fiancé” universe. Born in late June 1980 in North Carolina, USA, the director and entrepreneur has many varied interests. be it horror conventions, pro wrestling, crypto, or nonfungible token (NFT), the TV personality can hold a conversation about pretty much everything.

The North Carolina native is also known for his unironic philosophical quotes, with a fan favorite being: “I can get seriously lost for hours pondering the universe, space, and why we as human beings are here. The purpose of life is the one question I would like the answer to before death.” However, Tim isn’t on “90 Day Fiancé” to find the purpose of life, but rather a companion and spouse.

Tim joined the reality TV franchise years after he began dating Veronica Rodriguez, an outgoing brunette who hails from Florida but has Cuban roots. Veronica and Tim met at a bar when she was 23 and he was 28; soon afterwards, he began being a father figure towards her young daughter Chloe. According to Veronica, that fateful evening she intended on finding the “sexiest” man in the bar and going up to give him a kiss – and for her, that person was Tim.

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After the honeymoon stage, Veronica and Tim went through a rough patch due to him allegedly being obsessed with his business. Despite calling it quits after being together for six years, the pair remain on cordial terms and have, strangely enough, described their current relationship as that of siblings. To this day, Tim is present in Chloe’s life, which has come to negatively affect his dating experiences when potential girlfriends become jealous of the bond between him and Veronica.

Of course, Veronica’s love life has also been impacted. In a joint confessional, Tim expressed his doubts after the single mother told him that she’d met a man online. “I just want Veronica to date the same person for longer than six months,” he explained to producers. “She’s very independent, which, especially here in the south, men aren’t huge fans of.”

Since ending her engagement with Tim, Veronica has dated financial professional Grant Glaser, a mysterious vegan man named Justin who has two children, and Jamal Menzies, the adult son of her fellow franchise co-star Kim Menzies.

Tim himself first appeared in the fourth season of “90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days” with his Colombian girlfriend, a model and single mother named Jeniffer Tarazona. Perhaps as was to be expected, Jeniffer became jealous of the bond between Veronica and Tim, and turned out to be a gold-digger who was using the entrepreneur as a means to an end. When Jeniffer broke up from Tim after the latter refused to pay for her V-1 visa, she soon moved on with Jesse Meester.

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As for Tim, he became famous on “Pillow Talk”, and is now starring in “90 Day Fiancé: The Single Life”, alongside his former fiancé Veronica. In March 2021, the wrestling fan introduced his 25-year-old girlfriend Linda Ramirez to the public for the first time. Despite being in a fledging relationship with Linda, Tim began inadvertently causing problems in Veronica’s dating life when Justin, her boyfriend at the time, complained about the lack of boundaries between the exes.

In October 2021, Tim was forced to make a public statement regarding his relationship with Linda. More and more netizens wanted him to get back together with Veronica, and he replied by updating his Facebook relationship status, and openly claiming Linda. Following a relatively tranquil period in Tim and Linda’s partnership, rumors about Tim’s sexuality began circulating online, with hundreds of people speculating that he was gay, or even transgender.

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The outlandish theory was backed up by the fact that Tim refused to have sexual relations with Jeniffer when they were together. Jeniffer also told him to “man up” many times during their brief relationship, and said that he was “very delicate” and not her type. In response to the rumors, Tim posted a photo of Linda on social media, adding: “She not only gets me but she’s helped me laugh for over three years, which is the only thing that heals our souls.”

Tim was already forced to address the gay rumors way back in late 2019, when he referred to the situation with Jeniffer by saying: “I think it’s strange that society just thinks that if a man says no then he’s gay. If a woman says no, it’s fine.” According to Tim, sex isn’t as important to him as it used to be, and he’s more concerned with building a long-lasting foundation and eventually marrying.

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The “90 Day” alum also confirmed that he isn’t gay or transgender, despite having feminine traits, and laughed at fans who had gone so far as to screenshot scenes of him in the hot tub to look for signs of breast removal scars. During the season nine Tell-All episode of the show, he was also ridiculed online for wearing black knee-high boots with grey jeans, with one Twitter user saying: “The amount of Gay Panic that Tim has unleashed by simply having style without being gay is kind of disturbing”.

Nevertheless, Tim has reportedly been single since February 2023, when he changed his Facebook relationship status and stopped mentioning Linda, having a month prior returned to host the “Pillow Talk” podcast with Veronica. It’s unclear how Tim feels about Veronica’s current boyfriend, but he did previously reveal that the pair made a pact to marry if they were both single at 50 years of age.

In mid-May 2023, Tim was spotted filming in Charlotte with a mystery woman. A reddit user uploaded photos of the TV star and the attractive brunette chatting with drinks in their hands, while surrounded by a camera crew. It’s possible that Tim’s storyline on upcoming seasons of the “90 Day Fiancé” shows will heavily feature this new relationship, so we’ll make sure to follow up with any developments.

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Pedro Jimeno from “The Family Chantel” – New Girlfriend and Net Worth

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Faithful fans of the highly successful and controversial reality TV series “90 Day Fiancé”, and its spin-off “The Family Chantel”, were caught by surprise when Pedro Jimeno was seen dating a completely different woman, mere months after filing for divorce from Chantel Everett in 2022. The news came amid a rather dramatic split between the two stars, fraught with polarization of the two camps, and allegations of adultery.

The mysterious new brunette was posted in various selfies on Pedro’s Instagram stories, all of which have since expired and can’t be pointed to. While the ex-husband himself has remained mum on the topic, many members of the show’s vast audience continue to demand answers as to the extent of his romantic involvement with the woman in question.

As a result, it can’t be confirmed whether Pedro was indeed in a new relationship upon posting the now infamous selfies, but most have already come to their own conclusions. It’s noteworthy that Everett herself had nothing nice to say on the matter, but also refrained from jumping to conclusions about her former partner’s love life.

Some have theorized that Chantel has already said enough, referring to the fact that a potential lawsuit might be brewing in the office of Pedro’s attorneys, considering the various accusations against him that she seems to perpetuate in public. Although nothing can be said for certain until being proved in the court of law, there are indeed verified bits and pieces of the couple’s history that could hint towards the truth of the matter.

That said, Pedro seems to be doing well for himself financially, with his previous TV presence garnering a significant audience, among whom is a slew of potential customers to Jimeno’s lucrative real estate business that looks to be going stronger than ever. His newfound wealth has also become a hot topic in the media, leading some to wonder whether financial success was his only real reason for marrying Chantel in the first place.

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Digging through the dirt

It’s vital to take a peek at the skeletons in the “90 Day Fiancé” and “The Family Chantel” closets, in the process of determining whether any of the cheating allegations hold merit, as the history of Pedro and Everett contains relevant information regarding their habits and morals. It’s perhaps best to first mention that, for a lot of people in situations similar to Jimeno and Chantel’s, show business comes before love.

Questions about the authenticity of their relationship abounded from the get-go, with many viewers speculating that the couple’s union was motivated more by a desire for fame and fortune than by genuine affection for one another. Almost as if in perfect alignment with what keeps a show relevant, the two’s relationship became increasingly more dramatic as time went on, but drawing in ever more viewers.

Their story started in season four of “90 Day Fiancé,” in which Pedro, a gamer from the Dominican Republic, fell in love with Chantel, a nursing student from Georgia USA, whom he met on a language website. Their encounter would’ve remained out of the limelight if not for the fact that they got serious rather quickly, becoming engaged just a short while following the outburst of chemistry.

Becoming a legal immigrant

The couple were thrust into “90 Day Fiancé” immediately after Pedro received what the premise of the entire series is based on – the K-1 visa. While there are normally a number of pre-requisites for granting any non-US citizen the right to live in the country for a while, the K-1 visa pretty much skips most of them.

The history of the K-1 visa dates back to the Immigration Act of 1924, which established the requirement for a visa for foreign nationals seeking to enter the US for the purpose of marriage. The specific document in question was created in 1970 as part of the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments. The K-1 visa is designed for foreign fiancé(e)s of US citizens who wish to enter the country for the purpose of marrying.

It allows foreign nationals to come to the US for up to 90 days, during which time they must wed their citizen fiancé(e). Once in matrimony, the foreign national can then apply for a marriage-based green card, which will allow them to remain in the country permanently. The K-1 visa is an important option for couples who wish to be together in the US, as it provides a way for them to legally enter and reside in the country.

The document was actually designed by the US government to pacify numerous angry US military personnel following their service in the Vietnam War, after which inevitably some also had future spouses to bring ‘home’, ie the US.

Immigration laws at the time didn’t provide a lot of opportunities for couples of this type, as the Vietnamese citizen had to acquire an exit visa from the Vietnamese government, as well as an immigration visa from the US embassy. This was a time-consuming process that depended on detailed medical and police records guaranteeing clearance to the immigrant, as well as notarized US embassy certificates.

The government was subsequently inundated with requests from over 100 angered veterans, who were doing anything in their power to bring their partner over from Asia. Congress thus passed Public Law 91-225 on 7 April 1970, which altered the Immigration and Nationality Act from 1952, thus birthing the K-1 visa.

From out of state to the big screen

The popularity of this particular document has increased in recent years, due to its portrayal in the reality TV show “90 Day Fiancé.” The show follows couples who have applied for the K-1 visa, and have 90 days to marry before it expires. The show has become a cultural phenomenon, with spin-offs and merchandise, making the document itself a well-known concept in popular culture.

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As is the case with any reality TV series, it has also faced significant backlash and criticism over the years, although some would argue that’s exactly what helped it grow an audience. Naysayers blame the show for its premise and the way it portrays the legal process, opening many foreigners to the idea of exploiting a US citizen romantically in order to skip the green card application procedure.

However, as anyone with such intentions would quickly find out, obtaining this document is no simple task either. The K-1 visa process can be a lengthy and complicated one, as US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must first approve the petition filed by the citizen. The foreigner must then apply for the K-1 visa at a US embassy or consulate in their home country, which entails a medical exam, an interview, and extensive documentation to prove the legitimacy of the relationship.

Once the K-1 visa is issued, the foreign fiancé(e) can travel to the US, then and wed within the 90-day period. After the marriage takes place, the foreign national can apply for a marriage-based green card. The process can take several months to complete, and there are many potential pitfalls along the way.

Those in support of Chantel have made it clear that they believe Pedro simply took advantage of her US citizenship, using this complex loophole to gain permanent citizenship a lot faster than it would normally take. If this is to be believed, it becomes rather logical that fidelity in the relationship hung pretty low on his list of concerns.

In fact, it could be that Jimeno simply waited for the most opportune moment to end the marriage, giving Chantel increasingly more reasons over the years to become emotionally unstable and disruptive in their union. This newfound toxicity in his partner’s behavior would then give Pedro a perfectly sound reason for ending the marriage, which supposedly just ran out of love.

Off on wrong feet

As if the potential benefits for Pedro and his future in the US didn’t cast enough doubt and strain on the relationship, it was also obvious that the Everetts and the Jimenos really didn’t like each other, with the exception of Pedro and Chantel. Strangely, it was siblings and not parents, on both sides who least approved of the relationship.

Chantel’s brother River had no nice words to say about Pedro, and Jimeno’s sister Nicole was more than happy to be rid of Chantel’s presence whenever the two would wind up in the same room. It wasn’t exactly clear why there was such animosity, since the couple themselves had virtually no issues at the time.

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The rampant disdain became rather apparent as “The Family Chantel” progressed, leading to more than a verbal altercation during one of the show’s key moments. This event was immortalized on TLC UK’s YouTube channel, in the video entitled “Physical Fight Breaks Out At Chantel’s Family Dinner | 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?”, which garnered over 6.5 million views from its release on 1 August 2018.

It shows the Everetts preparing for a classy and extravagant dinner, which Pedro and his sister are also supposed to attend. The event starts off sourly though, since they still hadn’t shown up 15 minutes after the agreed time. River is already agitated at that point, making it clear that he doesn’t intend to wait for them before he starts eating.

Meanwhile, Chantel tells her mother about a disturbing event that occurred earlier that morning, explaining that Pedro’s sister thanked God and began clapping right as the bride-to-be closed the door and departed for school. Karen Everett really didn’t appreciate hearing about this rude gesture, and made it her mission to confront Nicole at dinner.

The Jimeno sister presents herself very amicably right through the door, giving the viewers no reason to believe that she has any dislike for the Everetts. After some compulsory complimenting of the food and appearances, Chantel’s mother gets down to business and pre-emptively asks Nicole whether she enjoys spending time with her daughter.

In spite of the sister’s warm response and assurance that she’s rather happy in the current conditions, Karen pushed on with the questioning, eventually re-telling the entire event that she heard from Chantel. Tensions immediately went through the roof, with Pedro inadvertently confirming the story by asking his fiancée why she told her family about it.

He then denied it, however, right in Chantel’s face, while Nicole seemed to be outraged at the accusation, and shocked that anyone could think that of her. In spite of mild yelling and finger pointing, the conversation remained civil for the most part. That is until River spoke out with plain frustration, uttering various curse words at Nicole.

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Pedro then stood up from the table and challenged River to repeat his insults, to which the energetic Everett slapped the chandelier in Pedro’s face, and a fist fight broke out. TLC’s crew had to step in and break up the altercation, causing Pedro to kick various plates of food off the table in a last-ditch effort to inflict some sort of discomfort on River. Chantel then broke down in tears, and the Jimenos were led off the Everett property.

The potential new girlfriend, and brand-new business

As the years went by and the couple drifted further and further apart, it became clear that the union was no longer sustainable. Chantel was the first to suggest that divorce was their only option, and Pedro agreed shortly afterwards. He was subsequently seen taking a selfie with a certain Coraima Morla – his sister’s best friend.

This isn’t the first time that the two were linked in a morally dubious situation, as Coraima was previously accused of dancing inappropriately on Pedro’s lap during a party in the Dominican Republic, while he was married to Chantel. She also expressed on numerous occasions how Nicole’s brother should be with a Dominican woman instead, as he’s likely to be misunderstood by those unfamiliar with his language and culture.

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Although there isn’t much else to go on, fans believe that Pedro posting a selfie with Coraima on his Instagram account is a sign of much more than friendship, believing that it has been a long time coming. Still, without further confirmation by either of the reality TV stars, nothing can be said for certain about Jimeno’s current love life.

What is very easy to see, however, is the fact that Pedro has successfully penetrated the real estate market, running his own realty company for numerous homes in the state of Georgia, especially around Lawrenceville, Buford, and Norcross. His net worth in mid-2023 is estimated at up to $5 million, virtually all from his efforts in the real estate market..

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The Singer Who Can Switch Between Male and Female Voices – AGT Star Marcelito Pomoy

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There’s no such a thing as an impossible dream, and Marcelito Pomoy is living proof of that. Despite the difficult and enduring times he faced during his childhood, and the fact that his ability was overlooked by many, Marcelito ultimately overcame all difficulties with his talent and charisma.

Though winning “Pilipinas Got Talent” was only the first step in accomplishing that, he would gain worldwide fame with his performances in “America’s Got Talent”, leaving audiences equally amazed and shocked at hearing his operatic voice and unmatched ability to sing with female and male voices.

Marcelito’s talent is memorable on its own, making it no wonder that there are many people not only interested in his current whereabouts and future problems but also in his life, history, and other professional endeavors.

So who is Marcelito Pomoy? Read on to learn all!

Who Is Marcelito Pomoy?

The words dazzled and impressed wouldn’t be enough to describe the reaction that audiences had at hearing Marcelito Pomoy sing on the stage of the second season of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” in 2020.

Nonetheless, before setting foot in America, Marcelito was already well known in his native Philippines for his unbelievable talent, which includes switching from a tenor voice to female sounding soprano. That being said, Marcelito’s singing prowess wasn’t the only thing to take audiences by storm, as his sad but incredibly inspiring back story not only gained him the hearts of everyone who came upon it, but also led to him encountering his long-lost family again.

Marcelito’s vocal skills and unmatched charisma won him “Pilipinas Got Talent” in 2011, so quickly becoming a celebrity, and finally turning his long dream of releasing music into a reality.

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Years later, Marcelito debuted in “The Champions” and took the American audiences by surprise, but despite not winning that competition, it wasn’t the end for Marcelito. From then on, he turned into an international singing sensation by touring the US and expanding his reach to other Asian countries besides the Philippines.

All in all, Marcelito is one of the most impressive talents to ever come out of the Got Talent franchise, but he’s also worked hard to be where is today.

His Current Projects & Life

Thanks to his unbelievable talent and hard-working ethic, Marcelito Pomoy has remained relevant in the music industry by making constant appearances in TV shows, staging live concerts, and joining charity events.

As seen on his social media accounts, Marcelito has been very busy headlining shows both in Asia and the US, on top of taking care of his Philippines-based businesses. As well, in April 2023, Marcelito was awarded a Metro Excellence Leadership Award in the category of Outstanding Male Performer of the Year. This recognition came only a couple of months after receiving a 2022 Asia Music Icon Award for his excellence as a world-class Filipino artist.

While Marcelito’s recent career accomplishments are great on his own, in early 2023 he faced some mildly serious health issues when he was diagnosed with kidney stones. Though the condition isn’t serious and he was undergoing a non-invasive treatment to cure it, ill-intended assumptions about his health were soon to be spread before he revealed the entire truth to his followers, asking them not to ‘believe fake news’ through a Facebook post.

Overall, everything seems to be going great with Marcelito’s life, as seen in the regular updates about his family, vacations, and everyday life that he shares on social media.

Beginnings

Though Marcelito Pomoy nowadays enjoys international fame and the recognition of his fellow singers and musicians, the years before he rose to popularity weren’t pleasant at all.

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As Marcelito has revealed since his beginnings, his early life in the province of Cavite was full of enduring situations such as the abandonment by his parents and poverty. At only six months old, his mother abandoned him and his three older siblings to his father, who had been incarcerated not long before. Having no other place to go, Marcelito and his siblings lived in their father’s prison cell. and for some time struggled to feed themselves. The grueling situation came to an end when a police officer adopted Marcelito and his siblings, finally allowing them to find shelter and a family for some time.

With barely any memories of his early childhood, years later Marcelito left his adopted family to look for his real father, but the son and father encounter didn’t last long, as the man already had a new family with whom Marcelito didn’t quite get along.

Taking once again another hard decision at an early age, a teenage Marcelito left his father’s home and sustained himself with several odd jobs, going from selling local farm products to working at a bawling shop.

Rise To Fame

Although Marcelito Pomoy’s situation still wasn’t the easiest one, the young man found solace in singing for himself. It was during the time he worked at a poultry farm that Marcelito passed from having chickens as his first audience to attracting the attention of his co-workers, who complimented his skills despite Marcelito’s disbelief about having an uncommon ability.

While Marcelito was convinced that everyone could sing, he eventually tried his luck when he entered several local competitions, regardless of the fact that he didn’t always have any luck. His first TV appearance was in the local talent show “Talentadong Pinoy”, and he didn’t make it to the end, but the experience inspired him to audition for “Pilipinas Got Talent” at 25 years old.

It didn’t take long for Marcelito to equally captivate and surprise “Pilipinas Got Talent” audiences, securing a spot in the semifinals after receiving standing ovations and approval from the judges. His following performances in the show only served to cement his popularity, and spread the word about his talent, eventually winning not only the competition but also being able to reconnect with his mother through the show.

Marcelito’s prizes from the competition included two million Philippine pesos, and the release of his debut album “Duet Yourself” in 2011.

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Career & “America’s Got Talent”

During his time in “Pilipinas Got Talent”, Marcelito Pomoy sang the English-Italian song “The Prayer” by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion. That one performance led to his win, and also encouraged him to incorporate female and male voices further into his repertoire.

After a couple of years touring the Philippines and enjoying the newly found fame that his victory brought him, in 2013 Marcelito released his second album “Split” under the label Star Records. Nonetheless, at that point, he felt his career had stagnated and he didn’t release any further albums.

However, in 2018, one of his performances at the local radio station Metro Manila became viral, attracting the attention of Ellen DeGeneres, who quickly invited him onto her show. That one appearance opened many opportunities for Marcelito, who despite being skeptical about joining “America’s Got Talent” for his fear of losing, in 2019 auditioned with the song “The Prayer”, instantly gaining standing ovations from American audiences.

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Marcelito’s following performances in the show were all female and male duets, such as “Time to Say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, and “Beauty and the Beast” by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson. In the end, he was placed fourth in the overall competition, but the mark Marcelito left in the show is unerasable.

Business and Charity

Using the money from his “Pilipinas Got Talent” prize, in 2012 Marcelito Pomoy started his business in the province of Rizal. Named Pomoy’s Commercial Hardware, his small company expanded quickly, and a second location was opened in 2013.

Despite his status as an international celebrity, Marcelito and his family manage the business themselves, and also pay lots of attention to the needs of their workers. As seen in early 2023, Marcelito started a basketball team with his employees, joining them in local championships in which they faced teams from other businesses. This project was started by Marcelito following his own experience as a former hard-working employee, insisting it could help them to motivate themselves, and make the work environment an ‘enjoyable one’.

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Knowing how difficult it is to grow from the ground, Marcelito also supports local charities and people in need, even going as far as entirely building houses for elderly people in his community, undoubtedly changing their life forever.

Personal Life & Future Projects

Although Marcelito Pomoy’s early life was an enduring one, these days he’s not only proud about reconnecting with his family, but also creating one of his own. In 2014, Marcelito tied the knot with his girlfriend Joan Paraiso, with whom he welcomed daughters Marcella Janiah in 2015, and Marchesa Janoah in 2022.

Regarding his mother and siblings, Marcelito is in contact with them, even sharing their special moments together through social media, such as the birthday of his mother Anecita in April 2023.

What does the future have in store for Marcelito professionally? It seems that Marcelito’s career schedule will keep him quite busy for a while with international shows. He’s also constantly uploading videos of his most recent performances onto his YouTube channel, gaining quite a huge audience on the platform with over 400,000 subscribers to date.

All in all, from Marcelito’s humble beginnings and the difficult times he and his siblings endured, to being adopted and joining the workforce at a young age, before finally becoming a recognized singer, there’s a lot to learn from Marcelito’s inspiring story.

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