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Eurovision Newsletter: Duncan Laurence Breaks America… Written by on April 6, 2021

Two years on from his victory in Tel Aviv, Duncan Laurence is poised to become the first Eurovision winner to crack America since Celine Dion. John Lucas examines the breaking of a three-decade dry spell in the latest edition of the ESC Insight newsletter.

Almost two years on from his Eurovision victory, Duncan Laurence is continuing to break new ground. After going viral on TikTok, his winning entry Arcade has enjoyed a belated surge in popularity around the world – including the United States.

The song has cracked both US radio airplay charts and the Spotify 100, and is expected to debut on the Billboard Hot 100 in a matter of days. If he does so, he will be the first Eurovision entrant to reach the US charts since Gina G.

Back in 1997, the UK-base Australian reached #12 with Ooh Aah… Just A Little Bit despite only finishing 8th at the Contest the previous year. The last Eurovision winner to reach the charts was Waterloo by ABBA in 1974, although 1988 winner Celine Dion has of course have many US hits after her victory at the Contest.

Duncan has been busy promoting the track on US television, but he has confirmed that he will also perform at the first Semi Final and Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision in Rotterdam.

Afrojack & Glennis Grace confirmed for Rotterdam interval act

In addition to Duncan’s return, Chart-topping Dutch DJ Afrojack will team up with former Eurovision competitor Glennis Grace for a special interval performance at this year’s Contest in Rotterdam. The news was confirmed by Eurovision.tv last week.

Afrojack has enjoyed massive success around the world, including his global #1 Give Me Everything with Pitbull and Ne-Yo in 2011. Grace was hotly tipped for success at Eurovision in 2005 with My Impossible Dream, but failed to qualify from that year’s Semi Final. Nevertheless, she is now one of The Netherlands top music stars.

The pair will be joined by Dutch musician Wulf and a classical orchestra featuring talented young musicians for a special production entitled Music Binds Us. It is expected to be performed during the Grand Final on Saturday 22 May.

You can read more about this week’s news by signing up to the ESC Insight Newsletter. Read this week’s edition online here.

About The Author: John Lucas

A writer and content marketing professional with a passion for getting lost in strange cities and a strange fascination with micro states, John has been with ESC Insight since 2015 and has also had his writing featured in publications including The Guardian, Popjustice and So So Gay. Tweetable @JLucas86.

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