Montaigne in tears as Eurovision called off due to coronavirus

Sydney-based pop singer-songwriter Montaigne — aka 24 year-old Jessica Cerro — was to represent Australia with her song Don’t Break Me, but the contest will not go ahead.

Singer-songwriter Montaigne, aka Jess Cerro. Picture: Ryan Osland

The annual Eurovision Song Contest will not go ahead in May, after organisers announced its cancellation “with deep regret” on Thursday, two months ahead of the semi-finals set to begin in the Dutch city of Rotterdam.

“We are very proud that the Eurovision Song Contest has united audiences every year, without interruption, for the past 64 years and we, like the millions of fans around the world, are extremely saddened that it cannot take place in May,” said organisers in a statement, noting that the decision rested on uncertainty created by the spread of COVID-19 throughout Europe.

“We are all heartbroken that the Eurovision Song Contest will not be able to be staged in May but feel confident that the whole Eurovision family, across the world, will continue to provide love and support for each other at this difficult time.”

Australia is among the 41 nations set to take part in the contest, having joined in 2015. Sydney-based pop singer-songwriter Montaigne — aka 24 year-old Jessica Cerro — was to represent Australia with her song Don’t Break Me, having won the public vote and impressed a jury of industry experts at an event held on the Gold Coast on February 8.

“Eurovision 2020 has been cancelled. I’ve had my cry,” Cerro wrote on Facebook on Thursday. “I spent a couple of hours paralysed in bed, despondently scrolling through the many lovely tweet mentions from people expressing love and support. I imagine I’ll probably have a lot more cries in the next little while, for me and for the wonderful team who were working with me to make our vision come to life.

“But the truth is that cancelling Eurovision this year is the most responsible and ethical decision that the EBU could have made,” wrote Cerro, referring to the European Broadcasting Union, which produces the annual contest. “A decision they have to make. It is best that we all practice the measures that will stop COVID-19’s ravaging effects from going on any longer than they could.”

Last year, Brisbane-born singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke represented Australia in the contest with her song Zero Gravity, and on Thursday, she shared her devastation at the news of the cancellation.

Kate Miller-Heidke performing at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv. Picture: AFP.

“My thoughts are particularly with Montaigne, who I know has focused every ounce of her formidable talent and skill on this,” wrote Miller-Heidke on Facebook. “I’m also struggling to hold back tears for the brilliant and passionate behind-the-scenes people including Paul Clarke, Blink TV co and SBS Australia, all of whom work SO hard and with such dedication. We will get through this. Some days are worse than others. This day f..king sucks.”

Cerro concluded her post with a hint of optimism. “I’m gonna try figure out how to make the best of this situation creatively, see if there’s something I can present to you, the fans, that will feel satisfying, or will feel anything like closure, or at least coping,” she wrote. “I’ve got a lot of f..king time on my hands so. Let’s get to work.”