Text: Paul Hofman
Photo: Remon van den Kommer
Video: Paradox Productions
Ambassador Paul Morris was born in Caracas, where he also grew up. He is the child of a Dutch mother and a Venezuelan father and therefore holds dual nationality. That later proves useful. Latin and pop singer Paul on his homosexuality: ‘Gender is a choice you can define for yourself.’
Paul looks relaxed. A noticeable three-day beard, a shy glance and a sing-song lilt—his South American roots are clear. He’s just back from a gig in the Bahamas, he says. ‘I sang Latin pop songs, jazz, funk and classical.’ He doesn’t suffer from ajetlagat all.
Paul enjoys a wonderful childhood in Venezuela’s capital. As a child he’s fascinated by singing and dancing. It’s no surprise he dreams of becoming a singer and dancer. His dual nationality makes it easier for him to pursue that dream in the Netherlands. At eighteen he decides to move there. ‘It was a completely foreign country to me. I loved it. So different from Venezuela.’ Four years later his mother joins him.
DanceSing
They stay with his grandfather, who lives in a town in theBible Belt—not exactly Paul’s scene. Especially after he comes out at eighteen. Not long after they arrive he decides to follow his dream and study Performing Arts in Amsterdam. He can pour all his energy into it. His talents are noticed and shortly after graduation he gets the chance to take part in the TV showDanceSing.—a talent show looking for a pop star who can sing and dance. It’s tailor-made for Paul. He makes a big impression with his voice, rugged looks and irresistible smile. ‘It turned my life upside down.’ His videos onYouTubeprove to be a huge success. Hundreds of thousands of viewers watch the performances.
Genes
Music runs in Paul’s genes. His cousin Rolf Sanchez has several hits to his name. On stage Paul is dynamite. In 2019 he performed at the Pride Closing Party. ‘That was the highlight of my career. Ten thousand people partying to my songs. Overwhelming. The Pride audience is the best there is. They give so much back.’ He beams from ear to ear. He’s totally surprised when asked to be Pride ambassador 2022. ‘It was a wow moment. Of course I said yes right away.’
His message as ambassador: ‘I hope to inspire people inside and outside thecommunityto embrace every side of their personality. Accepting and learning to love both your light and dark sides is something we as humans often find difficult, but it’s incredibly important. One side doesn’t have to exclude the other. Reason and feeling, enthusiasm and sorrow, feminine and masculine energy—we should know that everything can coexist.’
Macho
He remembers his first Pride vividly. ‘It was a huge celebration that left a strong impression on me. I loved seeing so many people. This was the country I had arrived in. Moving.’ He still gets shivers thinking of that Pride. The police boat sailing alongside left a big impact. ‘This was impossible in my birth country. To to this day a macho culture prevails. Did you know Venezuela is one of the few countries in South America where same-sex marriage is still illegal?’ He falls silent. ‘Eighty percent of the population rejects it. That box-thinking really bothers me.’
Does he miss his homeland? ‘Absolutely. I miss the everyday life with my friends. It’s bittersweet to see them again, but also painful that it can now only happen sporadically.’ He sighs: ‘I don’t really feel at home anywhere.’
Little angel
The end of the corona restrictions couldn’t have come soon enough for him. Those were tough years. Not only were his performances reduced to nothing, he also couldn’t see his friends. ‘It affected me deeply.’ Still, in 2021 he manages to release a single with the apt titleCuánto Mas(which in Spanish means how much longer). It’s a translation of the Dutch song ‘Duurt te lang’. Between twolockdownssomething happens that turns his life upside down. ‘I had signed a contract to perform for an extended period in aDinner Showon Mykonos.
It was a success that ended abruptly. ‘It seemed like the summer of my life. On the evening before my birthday a horrible accident happened. After a show I rode my scooter back to the hotel. I was going too fast. Suddenly I had to brake hard and I fell forward.’ The consequences were severe. ‘I had a fractured jaw, a battered face, broken teeth and various bruises across my body.’ He looked like a rag doll, but back in the Netherlands he recovered quickly. It must have been a little angel on his shoulder, he says. ‘Right now I’m full of plans. Later this year a new single will be released and I’ll sing in the cover bandThis is Beethoven.
Figurehead
He’s looking forward to his ambassadorship. ‘After two years without Pride nothing should stand in the way of a vibrant summer. I can be a strong voice for the Latino community.’ How will he get his message across? ‘Through my music I want to warm hearts, get people dancing and enjoying life. I think it’s important to keep the conversation about sexuality and freedom going. I do this and I will continue to do so. I would also be honoured if I could inspire my fellow Latinos to shed the shame associated with the prevailing machismo.’ Then: ‘I won’t hide my love.’ Undeniably, Paul Morris will be one of Pride 2022’s stars.
Pride ambassador since 2022
