Montaigne will represent Australia at Eurovision 2021 with her song “Technicolour”.
She was originally due to sing “Don’t Break Me” at Eurovision 2020. However, the contest was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, just like several other countries, Australia rested its usual national final for one year and internally selected Montaigne instead. Her entry “Technicolour” received its live premiere at Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.
Let’s take a look at 10 facts you need to know about Montaigne. Let’s do this!
Australia at Eurovision 2021: 10 facts about Montaigne
1. She comes from a diverse background
Montaigne was born Jessica Alyssa Cerro in Sydney on 14 August 1995. She has an incredibly diverse background. Sharing a picture of her great grandparents from the French side of her family, Montaigne states that her “ethnic background is a mixture of Argentinian, Spanish, Filipino and French.”
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2. She started out young
Jessica’s first-ever performance was in year seven when she would have been about 12 years old. It was for Grandparents Day and she sang “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan. Fast forward five years and Jessica had become Jess Cerro for her first-ever gig. Her first show as Montaigne would come a couple of years later when she opened for the Australian indie-pop band San Cisco in Adelaide.
3. She finished school first
Despite showing such early talent, Montaigne waited until she finished high school before pursuing her music career. In November 2012, she signed a publishing deal with Albert Music and spent the following two years refining her songwriting skills under the guidance of Australian keyboardist, producer, songwriter Michael Szumowski.
4. Her stage name comes from a 16th-century philosopher
The name Montaigne is inspired by the 16th-century philosopher and essayist Michel de Montaigne. He is considered to be one of the most significant philosophers of the French Renaissance. He is best known for popularising the essay as a literary genre. Shortly after completing her High School Certificate, Montaigne began recording her debut EP with ARIA-nominated producer, writer and composer Tony Buchen.
5. She released her first single in 2014
Montaigne released her first single “I Am Not An End” in 2014. She also signed a management and recording deal with Wonderlick Entertainment. The year after, Montaigne won FBi Radio’s Next Big Thing Award at its annual SMAC Awards, which recognises the musicians, artists, performers, restaurants and events that shaped Sydney’s creative culture in 2014.
6. She’s cracked the charts
Montaigne had a big year in 2016. In April, she hit the limelight when she was a featured vocalist on Hilltop Hoods’ track, “1955”. It reached number two on the ARIA Singles Chart. In August, Montaigne’s star continued to rise with the release of her debut album Glorious Heights. It got to number four on the ARIA Albums Chart. Montaigne finished the year by winning Breakthrough Artist – Release at the ARIA Music Awards and was nominated in three other categories.
7. She knows how to make a memorable acceptance speech
At the 2016 ARIA ceremony, Montaigne made headlines for her acceptance speech. She quoted Montaigne (the philosopher) and talked about her bowel movements.
“My old mate, the real Montaigne, a French philosopher from centuries ago, once said a thing which was. Well, it was that … On the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our bottoms.”
She continued:
“I must remember that … For the rest of my life, I will probably eject at least three loads out of my butt every week, at least three times, and along with others. Like a million other humans at the same time. I am human, like everyone else, and I must stay modest. This is just a thing.”
Say what you want, our girl is original!
8. She has an eclectic mix of musical inspirations
Montaigne says her music inspirations are Freddie Mercury, David Bowie and Björk. She tells HappyMagTV. “I watch those guys, I steal from people essentially and try to pull inspiration and technique from them. So it’s just progressed by observing and copying while trying to mix it with some original inspiration too.”
9. She’s an activist
Montaigne is an activist and regularly takes a stand on important issues. For instance, she took a very public stance against the Indian mining giant Adani at the 2018 ARIA Awards. She walked the red carpet in a feathered gown with ‘STOP ADANI’ written across her cheeks in a reference to the company’s proposed Carmichael coal mine in Queensland.
10. She prefers to leave the drama on stage
Though Montaigne has a penchant for drama on stage she says that she is quite different off it. She tells HappyMagTv: “I’m not an OTT kind of character. Actually, I wouldn’t even say I’m a character at all, it all happens on stage then in real life I’m pretty normal and chilled. Sometimes I’m a little bit too uptight with everything, like my health and making sure I get nine hours of sleep each night and not going out because I might talk too much and ruin my vocals. Just little things like that, but I’m working on it.”
Are you excited to see what Montaigne brings to Rotterdam? Let us know in the comments.
Hahaha except the ALP were voted in in 2017 on the basis that they were perceived to be the party least likely to push through Adani (threatening to veto the approval for the rail line) and anti-Adani sentiment was found by phone polling to be a major factor in the election outside of the FNQ area…but cool story bro. Get outta here with you weird anti-Montaigne trolling (though I give you points for trying to attack her over her politics rather than her appearance, like so many of the mentally flacid trolls I’ve seen around the place).
It’s a fun list, Naomi, not a university syllabus
We share a birthday! Thanks for the facts.
The ALP won the last election in Queensland due to their handling of Covid, not Adani. It’s a hugely controversial mining project and considering how vulnerable Australia is to climate change, irresponsible to follow through on.
She is also an environmentalist and vegan and have secondary instagram account for her food photos.
I love her song, but the ending is a mess, like she doesn’t know how to finish it. If she can fix this, so she can finish the song well without it sounding like the song is finishing her, she will reach the final.
I always wonder what Barbara Dex thinks of that award lol ?
An award named after her fir the wurst dressed contestant haha
I think she takes it in good humour, which I admire. If she can laugh at herself, and not seem too bothered by it (and her last placing)
Well, in an interview she has said that there’s nothing wrong with it
It’s not over.
Wow, she seems like one of those really likeable nerds that always correct your spelling but you can’t really get mad at them… This species is extremely rare
Also, about her song, I think I am not the only one that sometimes vibes to it and other times hates it
She’s so pleasant though
cant wait for a slew of negative comments
lmao theres already one. ofc there is
I like her, Ashton, and the song! I think Montaigne brings a unique perspective to this year’s competition. I can see why her entries have had a marmite response, as she writes and sings about difficult or uncomfortable topics and wears her emotions on her sleeves, but I find her honesty and awkwardness refreshing. I find it strange that Roxen can sing songs written by others about mental health and be adored by fans, and yet Jess sings songs she’s written herself about her own mental health and fans scorn her. Similarly, Dadi has an awkward-cool geek-chic vibe and is… Read more »
That was refreshing to read. Glad to know we both have taste 😉
Yes , her last year’s NF coustume would have done it
Have not liked her 2 Eurovision looks. The look in the pic on the article is much better.