Eloy de Jong always seems happy and for the most part he is. But that the likeable Dutchman also has very serious moments and talks about topics such as discrimination and the loss of his son, is shown in the interview with GALA.
He began his career as a boy band member of “Caught in the Act”, today he sings pop hits and, together with Beatrice Egli, 32, hosts the RTLplus show “Ich find Schlager toll”: Eloy de Jong, 48. But moderating is not the only thing Eloy and Beatrice do together. The Dutch and Swiss have also teamed up musically and recorded the duet “Are you or aren’t you” for Eloy’s new album.
Eloy de Jong: “Dear” duet with Beatrice Egli
GALA: Eloy, your second solo album is called “To life – get set – go!”. Why this title?
Eloy de Jong and Beatrice Egli sing the duet “Is it you or is it not you”
© Stephan Pick
Eloy de Jong: I am basically a very fun-loving person and I believe that one should enjoy this beautiful life. Even if there are sometimes dark moments that I have also experienced myself, in my opinion the sun will shine again one day.
The album also features a duet with Beatrice Egli. How did that happen?
Beatrice and I got to know each other when we hosted the program “Ich find Schlager great” on RTLplus for the first time in 2019. It worked really well between us from day one. We had a lot of fun and became friends. When I was in the studio for my second album, I really wanted to record a duet, and I immediately thought of Beatrice.
“Is it you or isn’t it” is the name of the duet – a song about online dating and getting to know each other in the real world. Have you already had any experience with online dating yourself?
No, I have no experience with that at all. Ibo and I have been together for over 13 years. Before that there was also the possibility of online dating, but that was never an option for me. I’ve always preferred personal encounters.
Why exactly?
I think it’s a shame that in these dating apps, quick decisions for or against a person are made based on just a photo. If only I were to form my opinion according to whether the color of the eyes, the hair or the size suits me, I might never have met Ibo.
“Caught in the Act”: seeking confirmation
You are calling for the Basic Law for everyone on Instagram. To what extent have you yourself experienced discrimination based on your sexuality?
It started in my youth. My father hasn’t lived for years. But until the end he didn’t accept that his son was gay. Even today there are still parents who do not understand this about their children. It is not even in the Basic Law that one must not be discriminated against for one’s sexuality. But discrimination is bad in every area. As a celebrity, I have the opportunity to make my voice sound a little louder and to reach a lot of people because it’s an important message.
But you haven’t always been as confident and strong as you are today, have you?
“Caught in the Act” in 1997
© Getty Images
No. My dream of becoming a boy band star, becoming famous and successful was a search for reassurance. A confirmation that should not actually take place at work, but elsewhere. It wasn’t until my boyband career was over in my mid-twenties that I learned that self-confidence doesn’t come from being famous. I never heard from my father something like: “You are good the way you are!” Before I even knew I was gay, I knew that this was a topic that you couldn’t talk to him about. I had the feeling that I shouldn’t be who I am.
Happy family with daughter Indy
What do you want to do differently than your father in the upbringing of your daughter Indy?
The most important thing children need is harmony. It has nothing to do with gifts or money. It is a feeling that you have at home and that I absolutely want to pass on to my child. Indy should always feel comfortable at home and have the feeling that she can talk to us about anything. My partner Ibo and I tell her every day at bedtime that we love her and that she can be who she is.
How does Indy experience the fact that she has two fathers?
Eloy de Jong with daughter Indy at the ARD live show “The Advent Festival of 100,000 Lights”
© imago images
For them this is completely normal. It wasn’t until she started school that she realized, “Oh, not all children have two daddies.” For example, one of Indy’s friends has two moms. Many children only have a mum or dad because their parents may have split up. There are so many different constellations.
Children are still open-minded and have no problems with it. That only happens when they get older and adults tell them, “Two dads, you can’t do that.” So, the problem is not the children, but the adults who still need a little lesson.
Do you want more children after daughter Indy?
We thought for a long time whether we should try again. But when you experience something so bad that you lose a child, you become aware again of the great risk that you take with artificial insemination. So we decided to be happy with what we have. We have our little princess and we are very happy!
Sources used: own interview