Gordon Heuckeroth

Cornelis Willem (Gordon) Heuckeroth (born 6 July 1968, Amsterdam) is a Dutch singer and television personality, known in The Netherlands by his nickname Gordon. Globally he is best known for several viral videos from the TV show Holland's Got Talent in which he made racist remarks about a Dutch-Chinese contestant.[1][2][3][4][5]

Gordon
Gordon singing in 2007
Background information
Birth nameCornelis Willem Heuckeroth
Also known asGordon
Born (1968-07-06) 6 July 1968
OriginAmsterdam, Netherlands
GenresR&B, Pop music
Occupation(s)Singer, tv personality
Years active1991–present
LabelsCNR, EMI
Associated actsDe Toppers, Los Angeles The Voices
Websitewww.gordon.nl

Singer
Gordon with De Toppers

In 1990, Gordon came in third in the ESF Public National Final.[6] In 1991 he had a Dutch number one hit with the single Kon ik maar even bij je zijn ('If I could be with you for just a while').[7] In 2003, Gordon again participated in the ESF Public National Final, finishing second after Esther Hart.

Gordon joined Dutch singers Gerard Joling and Rene Froger in a series of concerts under the name De Toppers. De Toppers represented the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia, but never made it to the final, finishing in seventeenth place in the semi-final. In 2009, Gordon left De Toppers. A few weeks later, Gordon rejoined De Toppers.

Radio and television
Gordon in a pink costume at the Amsterdam Gay Pride in 2008

From 2007 to 2008, Gordon had his own radio show on Radio 538.[8] On television, he was part of the jury of Idols Netherlands in 2007, X-Factor Netherlands in 2008, and Holland's Got Talent in 2010.

Racism

Gordon made multiple racist remarks to Dutch-Chinese contestant Xiao Wang on the TV show Holland's Got Talent in November 2013. Comments, mainly referring to Chinese restaurants, such as "Which number are you singing? Number 39 with rice?", "Surplise!", "He looks like a waiter from a Chinese restaurant", and "This is the best Chinese I've had in weeks, and it's not a takeaway,"[9][10][11][12] have been described as highly offensive to those of Chinese and Asian heritage.[13] The incident challenged the Netherlands' supposed tolerant reputation on issues related to diversity.[14]

Within a few days after the broadcast, the clip went viral online, and Gordon's racist comments drew heavy criticism on international media and social media outlets.[15] The Amsterdam Discrimination Hotline ("MDRA") issued a letter to the show asking for an explanation of Gordon's behavior, and states that while humor and exaggeration are generally acceptable on a public platform, "there is a line that can't be crossed," and "the singer has the potential of influencing a large group."[16] On 27 November 2013, the hotline filed an official complaint with RTL Nederland in regard to Gordon's racist treatment of Xiao Wang.[17]

Gordon responded that 'he thinks jokes like that are acceptable and innocent' in The Netherlands, that he is not a racist, and that he does not feel the need to apologise.[16] Performer Xiao Wang was quoted as saying that he "felt somewhat slighted" and "disliked the 'jokes'." Over time, Gordon reconsidered his position, and years later Gordon publicly apologised for his racist remarks, vowing he would not let it happen again.[14][18][19]

Discography
  • Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn (CNR Music, 1992)
  • Alles Wat Ik Ben (1993)
  • Now Is The Time (CNR Music, 1994)
  • Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn (2 CD; 1995)
  • Je Bent Wie Je Bent Schatje (1995)
  • De Tijd Van Mijn Leven (1996)
  • Omdat Ik Zo Van Je Hou (CNR Music, 1996)
  • Gordon & Re-Play (Dino Music, 2002) featuring Re-Play
  • Gordon & (Dino Music, 2003)
  • A Song For You (Rodeo Media, 2008)
  • Liefde Overwint Alles (Berk Music, 2013)
  • Compleet, Volmaakt, Het Einde (Berk Music, 2016) featuring Metropole Orkest

References
  1. Blum, Jeremy; Boehler, Patrick (21 November 2013). "Dutch musician's 'racist' comments against Chinese go viral, draw ire". South China Morning Post.
  2. YouTube: Xiao Wang verrast jury en publiek – HOLLAND'S GOT TALENT
  3. ‘Which number are you singing, No. 39 with rice?’ Holland’s Got Talent judge cracks racist jokes at Chinese performer
  4. Shockingly Racist Got Talent Judge Makes Howard Stern Look Tame Archived 21 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  5. The Racist Talent Show Judge Who Makes Simon Cowell Look Good
  6. ESC History – Netherlands 1990
  7. "Hit Parade". Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2007.
  8. Gordon on air! on the website of Radio538 Archived 13 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine (Dutch) – Retrieved on 31 December 2007
  9. YouTube: Xiao Wang verrast jury en publiek – HOLLAND'S GOT TALENT
  10. ‘Which number are you singing, No. 39 with rice?’ Holland’s Got Talent judge cracks racist jokes at Chinese performer
  11. Shockingly Racist Got Talent Judge Makes Howard Stern Look Tame Archived 21 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  12. The Racist Talent Show Judge Who Makes Simon Cowell Look Good
  13. The Banality of Televised Anti-Chinese Racism
  14. Gordon: No More Chinese Jokes
  15. Blum, Jeremy; Boehler, Patrick (21 November 2013). "Dutch musician's 'racist' comments against Chinese go viral, draw ire". South China Morning Post.
  16. No Apologies for Racist Slurs
  17. "Dutch TV station asked to apologize after racism complaints on Chinese participant". Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  18. Xiao Wang Responds To Gordon
  19. Gordon apologizes
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