Duncan Laurence

Early Life

Duncan de Moor, known professionally as Duncan Laurence, was born in Spijkenisse, Netherlands, and grew up in Hellevoetsluis. From a young age, he found solace in music, writing his own songs as a means to cope with bullying. His musical journey began at the Rock Academy in Tilburg, where he played in various school bands, including his own group, The Slick and Suited, which formed in 2013 and performed at Eurosonic Noorderslag. Despite facing challenges, including a motor disorder affecting his right hand due to oxygen deprivation at birth, Laurence persevered in his passion for music.

Career Milestones

Laurence gained national attention as a semi-finalist in the fifth season of The Voice of Holland, where he was coached by Ilse DeLange. After leaving The Slick in 2016, he graduated from the Rock Academy in 2017 and began writing for other artists, including K-pop duo TVXQ. His big break came in 2019 when he was selected to represent the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest with his song "Arcade." The song, released in March 2019, became a massive hit, leading him to victory at the contest and marking the Netherlands' first win since 1975. Following Eurovision, he released several successful projects, including the EPs "Worlds On Fire" and "Small Town Boy."

Personal Life

In addition to his musical achievements, Laurence is open about his personal life. He came out as bisexual in 2016 and publicly affirmed his identity in 2018, expressing pride in being both an artist and a person. On August 21, 2023, he announced his marriage to American songwriter Jordan Garfield, further embracing his identity and personal journey.