Fifteen months after they were moved by her emotional story, Madame Monsieur have finally met Mercy — the little girl born on board a migrant rescue ship and the inspiration for their Eurovision 2018 song.
On Thursday the duo shared their first comments on the meeting in the newspaper Nice Matin, along with a moving image of Émile holding the bouncing toddler.
Still buzzing from their encounter, the electro-pop songstress described the meeting.
“She literally climbed on me, grabbed my neck and stuck her cheek against mine. I did not know what to do — I was petrified by happiness.”
This is the beautiful moment French #Eurovision alum @MadameMonsieur met baby Mercy. Speaking to @Nice_Matin, Émilie said: “Suddenly, she literally climbed on me, grabbed my neck and stuck her cheek against mine. I did not know what to do — I was petrified with happiness.” pic.twitter.com/LJ6gqO6iuY
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) September 6, 2018
In the spring French journalists shared a video of Madame Monsieur singing “Mercy” at Destination Eurovision with Taiwo, the Nigerian migrant who attempted to cross the Mediterranean so that she might give herself and her unborn daughter the chance of a better life in Europe.
“It is a very nice song,” she said in the video report, her eyes welling up. “I pray to God that this song will be a success and that, thanks to that, someone can help me….I have no one. My baby suffers here in this camp. I want it to stop. We have been here for too long.”
Well on Friday it was clear Taiwo’s wish had at least been partially answered, as Madame Monsieur shared images of their meeting with Taiwo and her daughter looking well. They also shared details of their recent history and upcoming plans, and make it clear the two have been released from the refugee camp in Sicily.
“15 months after her birth aboard the Aquarius, 15 months after telling her story in song, we finally met Mercy and her mom Taiwo.”
“It was a day as we rarely live, overflowing with joy, tenderness and laughter. Finally we got to know each other very well. We sang and played cheek-to-cheek, cried a little, told of the mess, and promised to keep in the heart these unique feelings.”
“For a little more than a month Taiwo and Mercy have been in a shelter in Sicily for women and children, after a long stay in the largest migrant camp in Europe. Tomorrow Mercy will go to the nursery and Taiwo to school to learn Italian and then find a job.”
“Since, like us, you loved this little girl and her amazing story, here are some images of this precious day.”
France’s @MadameMonsieur have shared some touching new images of their meeting with Mercy and her mother Taiwo. The little girl starts nursery tomorrow, and Taiwo will attend an Italian language school to jumpstart her job hunt ?? ???? Their strength will take them far! pic.twitter.com/dNbjqfmulp
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) September 7, 2018
Those are lovely images. 🙂 Mercy is so cute! And I loved this “summer version” of Émilie.
Maybe Mercy and her mother can live in house of this duo, or to pay a rent for this child and her mother few year. In Eurovision they sing about refugues and wear expensive clothes of famous french designer JPG.
Chiquitiiiiiiiiiiiiiita !!!
So cute!!!
One word: Awwwwwww 🙂 🙂 🙂
I’m so happy for baby Merci and his mom.
Hope that the will have a lot of luck in the future.
Sending my love <3
I didn’t need my heart anyway
That’s lovely. :).