UPDATE: American singer and social media influencer Montana Tucker has arrived in Melbourne, Australia, to launch a powerful advocacy campaign with the Melbourne Holocaust Museum. This visit marks her first trip to Australia and comes amid heightened concerns about antisemitism, making her mission even more urgent.
During her visit, Tucker, who boasts over 14 million followers across social media platforms, expressed her excitement and honor to be at the Holocaust Museum, commemorating the legacy of her family. “This is my first time in Australia ever. I’m so excited, and I am so honoured that my first time is here with the Melbourne Holocaust Museum,” Tucker said. This trip coincides with the six-year anniversary of her grandfather’s passing, further deepening the personal significance of her advocacy.
Tucker has dedicated her platforms to combating antisemitism since the tragic events of October 7. She engaged with local schools and community events, performing the Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah, alongside a Holocaust survivor at a major gathering. “It was an extremely powerful moment,” she noted, highlighting the emotional weight of her participation.
In a poignant moment, Tucker visited the Adass Israel synagogue, which was targeted in a recent arson attack. She met with the rabbi to discuss the incident, underscoring the rising concerns surrounding antisemitism in Australia. Despite these issues, Tucker reported a positive experience during her visit. “I feel like the media always blows things so out of proportion… the amount of love and support that I have seen and experienced since I’ve been here has been so incredible,” she stated.
Tucker gained international recognition for her advocacy at the Grammy Awards, where she wore a striking dress adorned with a yellow ribbon and the message “bring them home.” This statement piece initially faced backlash for being too political, yet it later garnered praise from the head of the Recording Academy. Tucker revealed that hostages Emily Damari and Romi Gonen saw her Grammy appearance while in captivity, as their captors allowed them limited television access.
Since October 7, Tucker has transformed her entertainment platforms into tools for advocacy. “I have really dedicated my life and my platforms to over 14 million followers, to combating antisemitism, all forms of hate,” she affirmed. Growing up in a predominantly Jewish community in Boca Raton, Florida, Tucker emphasized that she only encountered significant antisemitism later in life, prompting her to display Jewish symbols and Israeli imagery during public appearances.
Tucker also praised young Jewish community members in Melbourne, specifically recognizing 15-year-old Sophie Basist, who recently addressed a crowd of 1,000 at the state parliament. “That’s incredible to be so young and so passionate about this,” Tucker remarked. “We all need to keep uplifting them and encourage them. I’m so proud of them.”
As Tucker continues her advocacy efforts, she aims to inspire future leaders who will drive meaningful change in combating hate. “These kids inspire me… they’re future leaders, and they’re going to be the ones that really are going to make the difference,” she concluded.
Stay tuned for more updates on Montana Tucker’s impactful advocacy work in Australia and her ongoing efforts to address antisemitism worldwide.
