Dunkan Lourens Dutch pop singer, winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 Date of Birth: 11.04.1994 Country: Netherlands

1. Duncan Laurence: A Rising Star from the Netherlands
2. Early Life and Challenges
3. Rising Confidence and Musical Pursuits
4. Musical Career
5. Songwriting and International Collaborations
6. Eurovision Breakthrough: "Arcade"
7. Contest Victory
8. Personal Life
9. Present Day

Duncan Laurence: A Rising Star from the Netherlands

Duncan Laurence, the Dutch pop singer and winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, is a young artist from the Netherlands who rose to prominence in the spring of 2019. After betting agencies predicted his victory, the music video for his Eurovision entry, "Arcade," further fueled public interest.

Early Life and Challenges

Born Duncan de Moor on April 11, 1994, in Spijkenisse, Laurence showed an early passion for music. By the age of 12, he was devoted to playing the piano. However, his childhood was marked by difficulties. In a Facebook post, Laurence shared that he faced bullying throughout his school years. "I was often teased for being 'fat,' 'ugly,' 'gay,' 'wearing stupid clothes,' and 'wearing glasses.' Pretty much anything people could say to hurt me, they did. My greatest escape has always been music," he wrote.

Rising Confidence and Musical Pursuits

The bullying he endured left Laurence with feelings of inadequacy that he struggled with in later years. He found refuge in music, which allowed him to express his emotions. Through his daily practice on the piano, he nurtured his growing belief that he was destined to be a musician.

Musical Career

In 2014, Laurence participated in the Dutch edition of "The Voice," joining the team of pop singer Ilse DeLange. He performed a range of songs, including Ed Sheeran's "Sing," OneRepublic's "Love Runs Out," and Kensington's "Streets." He advanced to the semi-finals before being eliminated. This experience provided him with valuable connections and support from established musicians.

Laurence furthered his musical education at the Rock Academy in Tilburg, where he developed as a performer, songwriter, and producer. In his first year, he played in various bands spanning multiple genres. He eventually formed his own band, The Slick and Suited, which debuted at the Noorderslag Eurosonic music festival in Groningen. Laurence departed from the band in 2016.

Songwriting and International Collaborations

Laurence continued to work on his songwriting, traveling to London and Stockholm to record in studios. He released an acoustic project titled "Icarus," using ancient Greek myths as lyrical inspiration. He also co-wrote songs for Dutch artists and contributed to the single "Closer" for the South Korean duo TVXQ.

Despite accumulating a substantial catalog of songs, Laurence has yet to release any albums.

Eurovision Breakthrough: "Arcade"

Laurence's song "Arcade" quickly gained popularity both in the Netherlands and throughout Europe. The track was written during his time at the Rock Academy. "In between classes, I just wanted to create a little Zen moment for myself. At the piano. That's when 'Arcade' first came to life," said Laurence.

The lyrics and chords of the song, he recalls, flowed naturally. The lyrics are inspired by the stories of a loved one who passed away at a young age. "It's about finding love in our lifetime. It's about hoping for the sometimes unreachable. Hoping that you can find your own thing in life," Laurence explained.

Laurence's former "The Voice" mentor, Ilse DeLange, played a significant role in securing "Arcade" a spot in the Eurovision Song Contest. DeLange called him after hearing the song and suggested submitting it to the selection committee, which unanimously approved it. Laurence relished the opportunity to represent the Netherlands, despite being relatively unknown.

Contest Victory

The music video for "Arcade" garnered thousands of views within 24 hours of its release. Laurence's performance in the nude emphasized the vulnerability of a person in love, represented by the element of water.

Betting agencies predicted Laurence as the favorite to win Eurovision, with Russia's Sergey Lazarev and Sweden's John Lundvik as his main competitors. In the final held in Tel Aviv on May 18, 2019, Duncan Laurence emerged victorious. While the jury placed his song third, the public vote propelled him to first place. Italy placed second, and Russia with Sergey Lazarev placed third.

Personal Life

Laurence publicly identified as bisexual on his Facebook page. He stated that accepting his sexuality was the best thing he had ever done, emphasizing that it was his conscious choice. He also revealed that he is in a loving relationship.

Laurence has not disclosed specific details about his personal life, including the identity of his partner. He does not have a wife or children at this time.

Laurence maintains an official website and is active on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. He shares photographs from photoshoots, in which he models, and videos of his performances and rehearsals.

Present Day

Laurence's schedule remains busy as he continues to prepare for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. He is working closely with his creative team, including artistic director Hans Pannekouke, lighting designer Ignas d'Az, and Ilse DeLange.