Following the first rehearsals of the acts competing in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2021, Australia’s Montaigne joined the press centre remotely from her bedroom. In the small Meet & Greet with the press, the “Technicolour” songstress shared her thoughts about not being able to come to Rotterdam for the contest.
Back in April, Australian broadcaster SBS decided that it was impossible for the delegation to fly into the Netherlands and join Eurovision in person. With that, Australia is the only country to take part this year with the pre-recorded live-on-tape performance.
SBS hasn’t specifically given the exact reason why they chose not to make the trip to Rotterdam, but Montaigne explained that they didn’t want to run the risk of bringing Covid-19 back to Australia.
Since March last year, Australia’s international border has been closed and Australian citizens are generally unable to leave the country. This is done as a way of minimising the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Montaigne at Eurovision 2021 Press Conference Meet & Greet
Joining the press remotely, Montaigne spoke about her inability to travel to the contest. Although she expressed her thankfulness to be able to still join the contest from a distance, she acknowledged that it had been a hard decision for her:
“I’m really proud of everything we’ve done. We’ve had like zero time and we’ve still come up with things that I think are really cool and creative. I am really proud of that. It’s just been a bit like… It’s been a rough two years to do Eurovision. Any expectation I had for it was always crushed by circumstances, which is, like, annoying. But again, very grateful to be here. I’m really proud to be here, really proud of my team who’ve worked so hard to support me and make my vision as they can, come true.”
Montaigne did not shy away from showing her emotions during the press conference. Conference host Koos van Plateringen noted that it touched her very much, to which Montaigne replied that she thought it was “just a shame” that she can’t attend the show in person.
Montaigne blows off steam on social media
On her social media, including TikTok and Twitter, Montaigne shared her raw emotions right after the press conference.
In an open TikTok video, she talked about how having to miss out on the contest physically hit her harder than she had expected, saying:
“I know I’ve been saying this whole time: ‘I don’t care about not going to Eurovision. It’s fine, I’m okay! I’ve accepted it. I’ve acepted the situation.’. Wrong! It just hit me like a wall… I just want to be there so badly.”
“I am still just like really grateful that I get to be part of it at all and stuff… but I really want to go to Eurovision.”
@actualmontaignerip me 💀♬ original sound – Montaigne
Later, on Twitter, Montaigne added that she did not intend to shove the blame on SBS, who tried their best to get her to Rotterdam. She tweeted:
“fam i wanna state that i’m sad as hell that i don’t get to be in rotterdam for eurovision but this fact co-exists with the other fact that it just wouldn’t have been safe for me to go. sbs is an innocent party por favor it is no one’s fault but the idiot virus”
The “Technicolour” singer went on to say that she does not intend to return to Eurovision in person for 2022, instead wanting to focus on new things for the time being:
“also…i do not need to do eurovision again next year, i think i need to do other things for a little bit…”
also…i do not need to do eurovision again next year, i think i need to do other things for a little bit…
— Montaigne (@actualmontaigne) May 10, 2021
Are you sad that Montaigne isn’t able to be in Rotterdam? Would you like to see her participate in a future edition of Eurovision in person? Sound off in the comments below.
I dont see any reason to be sad. She perform well, her song amazing, millions people see how she is talented. And she is the first artist who perform remotly on Eurovision.
Your the Best Montaigne, When your think of missing the EurovisionIn experience just remember your words sing it..Don’t bring me down.
I feel so sorry for her
Didn’t realise how addictive this song was until I found myself singing it when I was in the bathroom at work. Needless to say my work colleagues weren’t impressed. Those vocals are HARDCORE! Gotta love a good song. Keep it up Montaigne. It’s not over yet, you’re still in it! Also, lots of judgement on this thread, judging SBS, Montaigne, Australian Government, your nan’s next door neighbour. Everyone seems to be in the firing line. FYI, SBS is a publicly funded broadcaster and relies on taxpayer dollars. Tennis Australia funded the costs of quarantine for tennis players, not the australian… Read more »
Given the mess vis a vis Australia and India (the Aussie government is threatening to jail Australian citizens travelling from India) I think SBS had no choice really.
I read that . Shameful but understandable
yeah . i live in india and the cricketers here are angry with the govt. about the decision. so now not only singers and performers are affected, but sportspeople are also agitated. the Australian govt, is way too extreme
They weren’t extreme when we were suffering from drought and bush fires.
SBS hope you’re happy !!!!!
Blame Europeans from failing to self isolate properly.
As far as I can see, Europeans are perfectly ok coming together in Rotterdam.
Big virtual hugs to Montaigne, she must be gutted not to be there, I’d have felt the same in her shoes. She has given us two amazing songs and is clearly a very talented and creative performer so the future will hold great things for her. I’m hopeful she might sneak in to the final, but I suspect that not being in Rotterdam might scupper what was already a slim chance, but you never know.
She should be in the final, Technicolour is by far superior to most songs in the first semi final
I just wish all of the best for Montaigne. I really love Technicolour and I want it to at least get through the finals, but I also understand the worry. Still, she will stand out in a good way. #manifestingformontaigne
yes lets all manifests that she goes through!! go montaigne!!
I think Kate Miller Heike was around 20th in the odds before going to Eurovision 2019 and finished much higher. Odds are not an accurate predictor and definitely not a basis of an important decision during Covid times. Montaigne is spending this week watching the rehearsals from afar and has every right to air how she feels. The comments about Montaigne not traveling because she isn’t a favourite are insensitve and also ignorant of the complexities related to travel for Australians (which I briefly covered in the comments when SBS announced Montaigne was not travelling). I thought the snippet of… Read more »
I think people forget that ESC performers are humans who put their heart and soul into their songs and when people say stuff like that they are showing both ignorance for what the country has gone through and callousness for humanity to insult people like that. If they step back from their insensitive comments they might realise they didn’t mean “not travelling because she won’t qualify”, and if they do then that says more about them than the singer.
If she was a favourite they would do everything to get her there, including quarantine for a month after if they were forced to. I just don’t think they wanted to spend money and all that effort on an act that most likely won’t qualify. It’s a sad situation indeed but Montaigne did right by not taking part next year. Move on from the whole ESC debacle, focus on new things and let Australia Decides return..
It’s a little more complicated than that because part of the issue is that we don’t have any dedicated quarantine facilities in Australia. There are still tens of thousands of Aussies stranded overseas who haven’t been able to come home because there are no available hotel quarantine spaces. So if they had done it even if they had been a clear favourite it might have been a bad look.
And does it look good when athletes travel to Olympics and can return home?
She is a favorite to those who like her song. Don’t use the odds made by bookmarkers as a barometer of what they think are people’s faves.
The issue is not the popularity or the Eurovision organisers. The Australian delegation could have gone to Rotterdam just fine, the issue is the fact that it is VERY expensive for return hotel quarantine in Australia (Roughly AUD$3000 per person). SBS most likely doesn’t have the funds to spare for a return quarantine of that magnitude (On top of all their other Eurovision costs). It’s not like Montaigne is off the list either yet too, the LoT clip revealed almost nothing and some other SF1 countries had lower quality first rehearsals. Although it sounds counterintuitive, it is still early days,… Read more »
The winner of Junior Eurovision didn’t travel to Poland
No, but no body else did either. Which made it fairer. And this isnt this years winner
Due to covid, it would’ve cost SBS x10 more to bring everyone over and back. They simply didn’t have the funding to do so. It probably would’ve caused outrage in Australia.
I have honestly no words. I feel so sorry for her. Like, only 3 journalists showed up to her press conference? What the hell? I get that she is not in Rotterdam, but that doesn’t justify such a disrespectful behaviour. I’m speechless. Technicolour is not my favourite this year, actually it’s not even among my qualifiers but after this mess, I’d love to see her in the final. I’m pretty sure that she doesn’t have the best experience right now, but again, this is just the fault of Australia’s travel policy.It would’ve been perfectly fine if they had travelled to… Read more »
Soooooooooo….no Australia in the olympics or any kind of sport then? It’s only fair
lol watch there be a double standard
I agree that there’s a double standard between sports and the arts, but it’s not so simple to compare this and the Olympic athletes. The difference will be costs and risk liability. Athletes generally have sponsorship (and maybe some help from their sports federation). They may also be contractually obliged by sponsors to go if eligible. They also have a more private relationship with their coach and team, so as a small unit they can make a risk assessment together and decide if the risk/expenses are worth it. JP is also closer to AU, a direct flight, with less spread… Read more »
That’s the best explanation on this that I’ve read or heard anywhere from anyone, Rae. Very nicely put.
Taking part in Eurovision tends to just be the endeavor of the participating broadcaster and not of a whole country’s national government.
Apples and oranges to sum it all up.
Australia and Greece are the only countries to never miss an Olympics. Would be a shame to miss out now. The Olympics should be cancelled, seeing as Japan is in a state of Emergency.
Britain has never missed a summer Olympics either
I dont love the song but my heart breaks for her as this is not anyone’s ideal Eurovision experience but her’s is particularly harsh. I wish her the best and it is an honor to be chosen once by the public and again by the broadcaster to represent your country twice. She should be proud of what she’s been able to do under the circumstances and hold her hear up high. Sidenote: will Australia be banning their athletes from going to Tokyo to compete in the olympics? doubtful..I am sure they are working on vaccinating them all…they should’ve given priority… Read more »
Australia didn’t ban her from going, SBS didn’t apply for the exemption. Whether it would be granted if they did, we’ll never know.
SBS should be blamed for this. she probably signed a contract with them stating that she wont talk negatively about them… they could have easily made arrangements to send montaigne to rotterdam considering other australian performers (for far less important events) have been granted permission to leave the country
I find it fascinating how people from other countries are so call lounge chair experts on what is going on and how other countries are dealing with a pandemic and can make “ expert comments” on things they no nothing about. Unfortunately in countries that don’t respect covid you can travel where you want. But you have to remember we have a nation of citizens who don’t like white fellas medicine and are highly susceptible to disease . How would you feel being the person to bring covid into the country and wipe out a whole population of people. Plus… Read more »
If leaving the country requires such a governmental exemption, maybe they could have been vaccinated first.
We’re talking about a dozen doses, twice.
That goes for athletes and for montaigne.
that Dutch presenter is so cold.
I feel so sorry for her, it is unfair to be the only participant to be kept at home.
If Flo Rida manages to travel to Rotterdam and not Montaigne, it is going to be freaking ridiculous.
For Flo Rida going to Europe would be safer considering how bad the infection rate is in the USA
I completely disagree with what she is doing. We all feel sorry she cannot be at Rotterdam, and it must be hearbreaking for her but she needs to honour her country’s wishes. She is representing them after all. And from what I know, public opinion (in Australia) agrees that she should not be in Rotterdam. I think making this video public will be something she regrets eventually.
Put yourself in her shoes, she’s waited over two years to go to Rotterdam and now has to watch every other artist this year go whilst she stays at home. She has every right to feel upset and to cry.
She is honouring our countries wishes. She is also sad. We understand that those two things are both true. Jess has not disrespected anyone.
I understand, and she should be having those thoughts privately. By making them public she undermines SBS and the message she gives out is that I deserve it more than someone else. It has the potential of backfiring and you can lose public support.
I don’t want to come across as rude, but if SBS really wanted to go, they would’ve gone because the fact is that they could’ve been in Rotterdam if they really wanted to. Covid is obviously the root of this situation, but SBS isn’t without fault. I suppose they don’t have the funds and all of this comes down to money really, which is a shame and so unfair. SBS has dragged Montaigne into a mess she didn’t deserve, and they should’ve already last year known that the pandemic and covid would still be in play and that this scenario… Read more »
Blame the Europeans for not socially isolating enough to not have their continent so infested with COVID19
This is so unfair and sad! Considering tennis players from all over the world were allowed to go to Melbourne for the Australian Open but Montaigne can’t travel to Rotterdam!
Doesn’t make logical sense!
exactly thank you!!! double standards!!! they just did not think it was worth sending her and a team to Rotterdam. If she was a hot favourite to win, they would have allowed her. shame on Australian government.
I think some people have a different level of morality to yourself
There is none. This has nothing to do with the length of the flight but rather with the Australian approach to the covid. Still, they could’ve applied for an exemption, which was granted to many sport players, but SBS decided to not do that.
SBS would have needed a larger budget to go to Rotterdam, also the restrictions on leaving and coming to Australia are really tight at the moment. It’s for the best, although her Eurovision experience is slimmed down.
Let’s wish her good luck and hopefully she can enjoy Eurovision even from down under!
I can totally understand why Jess wouldn’t want to take on a third year of Eurovision immediately after these 2 years—but I hope she comes back to Eurovision after a good break, especially if Australia gets its first NQ next week.
A sad end to a difficult two years, reminds me a little of that poor Russian girl back in 2017 and 2018.
I think part of the reason she feels so bad is that it promises to be a fairly ‘normal’ Eurovision. The Aussie broadcaster has probably erred on the side of caution a little too much. They frankly look a bit ridiculous now, leaving her at home.
The fact only THREE people attended her press conference was really upsetting.
People probably didn’t know there was going to be a press conference for her
maybe it was too early because of the time zone??
she woke up at 11 PM Australian time to do it. it was like late afternoon in Rotterdam i think. so definitely not because of the time zone
Other people couldve been in that room, than the three in shot, no?
Well this so unfair for Montaigne to miss Eurovision twice. And it hurts more that she’s the only one not rehearsing now in Rotterdam. SBS should have sent her no matter what. They just take covid way too seriously
No, she wouldn’t have risked anything, she would have to quarantine. Sport players, actors and many others can still travel. So could she.
Australia’s zero COVID strategy to eradicate the virus completely is in itself insane! How will Australia ever open up if they want the virus gone for good?
I mean this is my opinion, but locking down a whole city because of 1 case! I’m sorry but that’s just madness!
My home state of Western Australia has had a grand total of 3 cases of community transmission in the past year and 9 deaths for the whole pandemic despite a population of 2 million. We also had 9 months straight of being mostly back to normal because of it. I much prefer the way we’ve done things than what most European countries have done.
I’m actually afraid Australia may drop from the contest in 2022. There probably won’t be any remote participation option as the Europe will have moved on but they will still be locked :(((
By May 2022 vaccinations efforts in Australia should have got to the point where Covid isn’t an issue.
I feel so bad for her. I root for her to qualify still
Im just crushed for her. eurovision was her dream she deserves so much better
I’m so sorry for her. Even if she qualifies and gets some nice result she still won’t be happy because she basically doesn’t even compete properly.
I hope that she will be invited to at least Eurovision concerts next year.
Yeah I feel bad for her, not only was she disappointed by the cancellation last year, but then double disappointment this year by not being able to get to Rotterdam. It’s been a long two years for her.
Whatever happens this year, I wish her the best and I totally get why she needs a break from Eurovision right now, but hopefully in time, a few years down the line, when she’s ready, she can come back to the stage.
Honestly she kept strong for all the media it is understandable
Bless her. All the best to Montaigne and Australia. I’m looking forward to seeing her performance as I’m sure so many are. She has a very bright future indeed.
This is really really sad to watch. That girl wanted it so bad. I’m very mad at the Australian broadcaster for not making it happen. She has given two years of her life to ESC and she is not rewarded as she should.
I’m still mad, like what the actual hell Australia. It’s not like you’re sending 10 thousand people abroad. It’s a small delegation, that you can easily manage, quarantine and test upon return. Smh.
The only time I’m on board with Australia’s entry and this happens. I really like Montaigne and Technicolor and hoping for a qualification. It’s a bummer she’s in semi 1, not 2. But still… Even Isaiah qualified for gods sake.
So sad 🙁
Welcome to Drama Central. What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. If you’re going to carve out a career in the music industry you need to develop a thick skin. We’ve all had a tough 14 months with Covid, quit the whinging and suck it up.
That’s what she’s done.
Well that was encouraging. Not.
…
I’m sick of listening to snowflakes whinging and sniveling at every obstacle that besets them and then the powers that be on this site posting articles like this as it as if it was actually newsworthy and on the same level as 100,000 people being killed by an earthquake.
Dude this is wiwibloggs, not BBC News or Euronews. And a girl can have her feelings without you invalidating them.
You realize competing in ESC is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for pretty much every competitor, right? Given that Montaigne isn’t even able to properly compete even after ALL the trouble of the BOTH 2020 AND 2021, I feel so bad for her. Everyone gets to be there and interact with the stage, and she can’t be there, she’s the one black sheep in the flock. I don’t think you see the effort she and her team have put in both her entriess, and I am rooting for her anyway. Bless Montaigne!
You wrote this and you actually thought you did something lol
You’re going to have to brush up your communication skills there because you are making no sense whatsoever.
To all you who are so outraged by my comments you need to open your eyes and come into the real world. The music industry sucks in people, uses and abuses them, dangles the baubles of fame in front of them, many foolishly bite at it. Then when someone has served their purpose it’s on to the next one. Sadly this is how the real world works, if you want to be part of it you have to be prepared for the pitfalls and there will be many.
I get what you mean, but in this situation, Montaigne is coming in, missing out on the whole esc experience 2 years in a row, having to use the live on tape won’t be working to her advantage as it’s gonna throw everyone off, ruining her chances of scoring well, and the pressure of keeping Australia’s Qualification streak is on her shoulders, and she’s the one who’s going to be blamed, even if she gave the best performance in her life.
She already seems defeated, and my heart breaks for her.
The world is cruel, and you’re right that people will navigate it better with a thick skin, but that doesn’t mean there’s no place for sympathy and kindness. You can have a thick skin and still call out trash talking for what it is—we shouldn’t just tolerate it, otherwise things will never change.
‘I’m 14 and this is deep.’
Jess clearly has sucked it up and got on with things—demonstrated by everything she’s done with Technicolour. Having feelings isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength. Everyone can have a moment—and having a empathy for others is just as important as resilience.
Perspective is also important, over 1 million people have died on our continent alone in the last 14 months from COVID, many of those people died before their time was up leaving multiples of that million behind heartbroken never to see their loved ones again. We’re talking about a song contest here, when I developed an interest in ESC (a very long time ago) it was all about fun. Now every little thing is drama, no one died here.
Yes, I know and understand the heartache you describe.
At the same time, not every human experience has to be weighed against the worst human tragedies.
B*tch?
Sorry, but this proves one more time that Australia’s participation in Eurovision is 1) not legitimate 2) not fair to other countries outside Europe 3) not fair to other countries inside Europe
I was never that sold on Australia being let in from day one.
What? how does this prove that exactly?
I would think the fact that ESC 2019 was hosted in Tel Aviv would have demonstrated that ESC doesn’t need to be in Europe….
Tel Aviv is closer to most European capitals than Reykjavik, Moscow, Dublin, Kiev etc. I don’t care about the definition of Europe. I care about logistics – distances and time zones. 80% of Kazakh people watch Eurovision and Kazakhstan is not allowed to participate. That’s not fair.
While Technicolour isn‘t among my qualifiers I completely understand her. It‘s hard to compete from distance while all the other acts are experiencing the big stage and meeting each other, all she will see is a taped performance of herself. And even if the others meet her through video chat, it‘ll never be the same for her.
It’s a pity SBS did this to her. She obviously wanted to be there. If they applied for the exemption and got declined, then fine, it’s out of their hands. But they didn’t even try. Now she’s the only one (!) not present in Rotterdam and sadly it will also cost her the qualification 🙁
At least she still gets to compete, albeit remotely. SBS couldve chosen to withdraw this year, they didnt. And how do you know that they “didnt even try” to get an exemption – do you work for the relevant authority?
Her song is in my top 10, she seems like the sweetest person you’ll know. Amazing singer, vocalist, and everything in between. #stanmontaigneforclearskin
Yeah, it is so bad for her to not be there . If she doesn’t qualify , it will be even more distressing. With how strong semi 1 is I don’t think she has a lot of chances.
I feel deeply sorry for her…it must be so damn hard to stay at home while all the other countries are able to rehearse and perform in Rotterdam. I send my full support to Montaigne??
I hope they will send her again maybe after 5 years.
So she would finally get her eurovision experience she has dreamed about.
Also it would be interesting to see where has has evolved with that time.
Wishing her all the best and i hope she qualifys
I feel so bad for her, I hope she qualifies 🙁