In all the years Australia’s been competing in Eurovision, we’ve never suffered a loss as big as the one we have today.
Sorry in advance for the spoiler kids, but breaking news waits for no one.
Australia’s Eurovision hopes have been crushed early in a record-low defeat for the nation.
Our Eurovision hopeful, 25-year-old musician Montaigne, was the only performer who competed remotely during today’s first semi-final round, which is happening live in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The ARIA award winner, whose real name is Jessica Cerro, had prerecorded her performance of her song Technicolour, which went up against 16 other countries in today’s Semi-Final 1. But she was delivered a crushing blow after being knocked out before Sunday’s grand final, which is the first time Australia hasn’t made the finale since its induction to the annual song contest in 2015.
Montaigne’s premature exit isn’t a huge surprise, given SBS decided not to send an Australia delegation to the live event due to the global COVID pandemic.
Her performance – which was prerecorded in Sydney – was played on a big screen in Rotterdam to a crowd of 3500 and despite impeccable vocals, bright colours, laser beams and high energy, it just didn’t have the same impact as live performances.
The prerecorded performance of Australia’s Montaigne is projected on a screen during the first semi-final of the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, at the Ahoy convention centre in Rotterdam. Picture: Kenzo Tribouillard / AFPSource:AFP
An upbeat Montaigne has taken to social media after her loss, saying Australia was at a “severe disadvantage”.
Eurovision was cancelled last year for the first time in its 65 year history.
In 2019, Australia’s Kate Miller-Heidke finished ninth place in the grand final with her song Zero Gravity, with many fans insisting she was robbed of a higher ranking.
The most successful Aussie to compete at Eurovision was Dami Im, who came second at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm with her song, Sound of Silence.
Guy Sebastian finished fifth in 2015, Isaiah Firebrace finished ninth in 2017 and Jessica Mauboy finished 20th in 2018.
Who is Montaigne?
Australian singer Montaigne for Eurovision 2021.Source:Supplied
Montaigne – whose real name is Jessica Cerro – is an Australian art pop singer and songwriter.
She released her debut album Glorious Heights in 2016, which became her big break in the mainstream music industry.
The Sydney musician won Breakthrough Artist – Release for the album at the ARIA Awards in 2016.
Montaigne rose through the ranks after she became a Triple J Unearthed High School finalist in 2012.
She released her first single, I am Not an End, in 2014 which was regularly played on Triple J and helped develop Montaigne’s fanbase.
Montaigne was selected to perform at the 2020 Eurovision with her song Don’t Break Me, before it was cancelled due to COVID.
The 2021 grand final will air live on SBS at 5am on Sunday.
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