The Netherlands have won the Eurovision Song Contest for the 5th time in Eurovision history after openly bisexual Duncan Laurence scored the most points for his piano ballad ‘Arcade’ on stage in Tel Aviv this morning.
After a thrilling voting sequence, the Netherlands’ Duncan Laurence was announced as the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest winner with 492 points. The Netherlands scored 231 from the jury and 261 from the international tele-votes. Second place was Italy’s Mahmood on 465 and Russia’s Sergey Lazarev came third for the second time in four years claiming 369 points.
Although the bookmakers had Australia’s Kate Miller-Heidke as the second favourite going into the final, public votes are hard to get for Australia and in the end had to settle for ninth place overall with 285 points, 154 points from the national Juries and 131 points from the public votes.
TOP FARKEN TEN, BITCHES!
Thank you everyone x pic.twitter.com/irW4IaPTwy— Kate Miller-Heidke (@kmillerheidke) May 19, 2019
Before the competition, 25-year-old Laurence came out as bisexual in a press conference.
“I am more than just an artist, I am a person, I am a living being, I’m bisexual, I’m a musician, I stand for things. And I’m proud that I get the chance to show what I am, who I am,” Laurence said.
Following his victory today, Laurence was asked about being honest and open about sexuality and what advice he would give the LGBT community.
“I think the most important thing, of course, is to stick to who you are and see yourself as I see myself – a human being who has talents, who can do things.
“Stick to what you love even if you have a different sexuality, love people and love each other for who they are.”
The Netherlands has been favourite for the competition for months leading up and Laurence was asked when he actually thought he would actually win.
“I started one year ago as an ordinary singer-songwriter writing songs in his bedroom, and here I am now.”
“I didn’t dare to dream to win this trophy, because this is Eurovision and anything can happen, and that’s why I love Eurovision.
“But it happened, the predictions came true, but still I kept seeing them as predictions. [The win] is the result of the hard work as a team.”
“When I was singing the second time, after I won, and when confetti was coming down, I thought about that line of my song, “a small town boy in a big arcade.” I was in that very moment.”
The 2020 Eurovision will now be held in The Netherlands next May.
Last Updated on May 19, 2019
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