He’s the Eurovision legend who took home the crystal trophy for The Netherlands in 2019. Now, Duncan Laurence is hitting it big time in the United States. On today’s episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the reigning Eurovision champion performed “Arcade” alongside duet partner FLETCHER.
Owing to COVID-19 restrictions, the pair’s performance was pre-recorded ahead of the show.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Duncan Laurence — “Arcade” (featuring FLETCHER)
“The song has been streamed over one billion times”, Ellen said, holding a vinyl copy of Duncan’s album Small Town Boy. “Performing ‘Arcade’, please welcome Duncan Laurence and FLETCHER”.
Duncan and FLETCHER’s performance takes place at coastal scenes, with both Duncan and FLETCHER each on a beach. Duncan sits at a piano as he sings, much like his winning Eurovision 2019 performance. He’s filmed on a stark Dutch beach, with cool springtime light.
Meanwhile FLETCHER performs her part wearing a light blue suit, standing barefoot on a beach. She’s drenched in a warm pink light as she delivers killer vocals and gorgeous harmonies.
They may have been performing thousands of kilometres apart on different continents, but the emotion of the song unites them.
Some fans may be disappointed however, as Ellen did not interview Duncan and FLETCHER.
Still, this is a huge gig for Duncan. As the first Eurovision star to grace The Ellen DeGeneres Show, he’s reaching an average viewership of 1.5 million people. The Dutch star’s appearance on Ellen marks his second US TV gig — in March, he also performed “Arcade” on NBC’s The TODAY Show.
Duncan Laurence guest stars on iHeartRadio Inside The Studio podcast
It’s not just US TV that Duncan’s conquering. This week, he also appeared on iHeartRadio’s Inside The Studio podcast.
There, the Dutch star told host Jordan Runtagh about Eurovision, the meaning of “Arcade” and his newfound success in America.
“A couple of months ago I got this message from my manager, he was saying I think you should have a look at what’s happening on TikTok — “Arcade” is blowing up. A lot of Harry Potter fans were using the song to recreate scenes from the movies to kind of make Malfoy and Hermione who are sworn enemies in the movie to fall in love with each other.”
Since winning Eurovision and subsequently going viral on TikTok, Duncan has found his way into charts all over the world. In February, “Arcade” re-entered the UK Top 40 at number 39.
You can listen to the full interview on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
As humble Eurovision fans, we couldn’t be more proud of Duncan Laurence and his achievements across the pond! Gefeliciteerd, Duncan!
What do you think of Duncan Laurence and FLETCHER’s performance on Ellen? Are you excited for more music? Let us know in the comments below.
If it’s TikTok that brings the international acclaim that Eurovision Winners like Duncan Laurence then thank you TikTok.
Extremely beautiful performance of both artists, very beautifully shot. I think we can expect something similar for Eurovision final. I bet he will push this version with FLETCHER.
This is the first Eurovision song to chart on American radio since Gina G!
“Eurovision is trash”, “Not one from Eurovision will be famous” they say.
She sings nice but I prefer Duncan Laurence solo version. He’s getting a lot of recognition, it’s still to be known if he’ll be just a “one-hit-wonder” in the States or he can go higher.
its HIS hair, you do know that ?
Well done Duncan! This song stood out from the pack at ESC and it deserves the international recognition that it is now getting.
2 years with the same song, he must be bored of it.
He so cute and talented <3
Can Wiwibloggs interview Duncan and ask how Ellen was behind the scenes when the cameras weren’t rolling. 😛
He was not physically there.
NOOOOO!!! THE HAIR!!!! why????!!??
I want it back!
how very predictable …
I don’t like it as a duet, and I don’t understand why Fletcher can’t just sing the notes as they are written.
For me FLETCHER gives a fresh air to the song at least in the studio version, even though Duncan is PURE AMAZING with that song. One of the best songs in whole Eurovision history, alongside ABBA, Celine Dion, Katrina and Loreen
Y’all would be complaining if there were no harmonies so…
I am so proud of him! He has made it so far and I’m glad that a Eurovision winning song is getting so much attention that its being played outside of Europe!
Yes, we badly need a winning Eurovision song which is also a bit international hit. I’m ashamed that in my country (the UK), the songs only get played in the context of the contest and are then consigned to oblivion.
Unless they get the lucky chance to be featured in a UK reality show, which “Arcade” did on Love Island and just a few days apart from the day the song was also heard stateside in the inaugural season of the US version of the same show. 🙂
And being certified outside of Europe as well – it’s already gone gold in Mexico and my home country of Canada
Amazing.. The video was filmed in the Harbour of my town where he grew up.. So cool to see the lighthouse where I frequently walk my dog displayed on an international show like Ellen.. Mind blowing.. He deserves all the success