McDaniel College Budapest student Tamás Palcsó has become a rising star in Hungary after winning runner-up in the TV show Megasztár, the country’s version of American Idol.

“It was a huge thing for a boy like me to sing in front of millions of people through the TV,” says Palcsó. “I won second place, but still I felt that this is one of the greatest successes in my life.”

Palcsó performs every week to packed houses across the country. He also recently played the lead in a national play marking the Oct. 23 commemoration of the 1956 Hungarian uprising.

“No matter where he performs, his voice is always clear,” says fan and friend Adrienn Szirmai ’03 (McDaniel Budapest). “He has a special charm, and because of it, the age-range of his fans is very wide.”

Palcsó’s first album, “Megfordult a világ - The World has Turned,” was released in February, and he is at work on a second album. Still, he keeps a full schedule of classes at the Budapest campus.

“He carries no trace of his ‘star’ status on campus,” says Judith Mandy, director of Academic and Student Affairs. “He appears to be shy, but when on stage his performing persona takes over and he opens himself to his audience.  He clearly loves music and performing.”

Palcsó says his dream is to become a musician and singer.

“Besides this, I like learning so I'm in McDaniel,” he says.

Each season, tens of thousands of people audition for Megasztár. Winners are selected by TV viewers’ votes. Like American Idol, the winner receives a record contract. Many runners-up also score contracts.

Watch Palcsó perform here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89n18piI5_Q