Duncan Laurence
Early Life
Duncan Laurence was born as Duncan de Moor on April 11, 1994, in Spijkenisse, a city in the Netherlands. He developed an interest in music at a young age, and began playing the guitar and writing songs when he was just a teenager.
Education
Laurence attended the Rock Academy in Tilburg, where he studied to become a professional musician. During his time at the academy, he honed his songwriting skills and gained valuable performance experience. He graduated in 2017.
Career
Laurence began his music career in earnest after graduating from the Rock Academy. He first gained national attention in the Netherlands when he competed in the fifth season of The Voice of Holland, a popular television singing competition. Although he did not win the competition, his performances on the show helped to establish him as a promising new talent in the Dutch music scene.
In 2019, Laurence was chosen to represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest. His song, "Arcade", was a deeply personal ballad that he had written himself. The song was a hit with both the judges and the public, and Laurence went on to win the competition. This was the first time that the Netherlands had won the Eurovision Song Contest in over forty years.
Following his Eurovision win, Laurence's career continued to flourish. His debut album, "Small Town Boy", was released in November 2020. The album was well received by critics and fans alike, and further established Laurence as one of the most exciting new voices in European pop music.
Personal Life
Laurence is openly gay and has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights. He has spoken publicly about his experiences with bullying and discrimination, and has used his platform to raise awareness about these issues. He is also known for his distinctive personal style, which often includes brightly colored clothing and bold, graphic prints.
Discography
Albums
- Small Town Boy (2020)
Singles
- "Arcade" (2019)
- "Love Don't Hate It" (2019)
- "Someone Else" (2020)
- "Feel Something" (2020)
Awards and Nominations
Laurence's talent and hard work have been recognized with numerous awards and nominations. Most notably, he won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019. He has also received several awards in his home country of the Netherlands, including the Edison Pop Award for Best Newcomer.