Montana Tucker

Montana Tucker
Tucker at the premiere of the film Step Up 2 The Streets
Background information
Born (1993-01-18) January 18, 1993 (age 31)
Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.
Occupations
  • songwriter
  • singer
  • dancer
  • actress
Years active2001–present
Labels
Websitemontanatucker.com

Montana Tucker is an American dancer, singer, and social media activist recognised for her efforts to educate younger people about the Holocaust, Israel and antisemitism.[1] As of 2024, Tucker's online presence reportedly included a following of over 9 million followers on TikTok and 3.1 million followers on Instagram.[2] Tucker uses her platform to address social issues such as body image, anti-bullying, advocating for Israel, speaking out against Antisemitism, and the importance of Holocaust remembrance. Her interest in Holocaust education stems from her family history; her grandparents, Lilly and Michael Schmidmayer, survived Auschwitz and their stories were documented by the USC Shoah Foundation to preserve Holocaust memory and awareness.[3][4] Tucker has reported losing masses of online followers due to the shift in her content to actively supporting Israel, but argues the need for education to counter antisemitism and ensure the preservation of Holocaust memory.[3][5][6]

Early life

[edit]

Tucker was born in Boca Raton, Florida. She is Jewish, and the granddaughter of Lilly and Michael Schmidmayer, both Holocaust survivors. Tucker has praised her grandmother who has been living with Alzheimer's disease for years, saying, "My grandma is a Holocaust survivor. I think that's where I've got my hard work-ethic and the mentality to never give up from."[7] Her grandfather died at the age of 97 in 2019.

As a child, Tucker always enjoyed dancing and performing, so she went to one of Darrin Henson’s workshops in Orlando, FL. Henson recommended moving to New York City or Los Angeles. Eventually, Tucker's mother and manager, Michelle Tucker, opened up a hip-hop dance company called Pop Stars where she received training by Dave Scott, Shane Sparks, Wade Robson, and others. Tucker also took singing lessons from Betty Wright.[7][8]

Career

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When Tucker was 8, she began modeling and appeared in music videos, tv shows including Barney & Friends,[9] E-Venture Kids, with Ariana Grande, and commercials including for Ovaltine, Skechers, BMW, and Wendy's.[7]

At 11 years old, Tucker won the World Hip Hop Dance Championship.[7]

When she was 13, Tucker was a featured backup dancer for Ashanti and Ashlee Simpson.

At age 14, Tucker had her first public performance which was at the 2007 Super Bowl Pre Game.[10]

In 2023, Tucker appeared on the film Holiday Twist where she played the character "Cheryl".[11][12] She also appears on the soundtrack for the 2021 film Step Up 2: The Streets.[13]

Advocacy

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In June 2022, Tucker visited Auschwitz with her mother to honor her family's legacy and document her experiences in a TikTok series, How To: Never Forget. The series, viewed over seven million times, was later adapted into a documentary, aimed at engaging younger audiences.[3]

In April 2023, Tucker was invited to the White House to do an interview with Doug Emhoff.[14]

In June 2023, Tucker emceed the 75th Anniversary of Israel reception which was put on by Michael Herzog, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States .[15]

Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, Tucker actively joined efforts advocating for Israel and speaking out against Antisemitism and hate.[16]

In November 2023, Tucker addressed nearly 300,000 supporters of Israel at March for Israel.[17]

In 2024, Tucker released a video of her performing with survivors of the Nova music festival massacre, together with the Lilach Friedman's Dance Ensemble. The video was filmed at the site of the massacre.[18]

Tucker produced a documentary titled "The Children of October 7" in which she interviews seven of the young victims of the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel.[19] One of the victims interviewed was Eitan Yahalomi who was abducted by Hamas and released in the 2023 exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Another victim interviewed was Rotem Mathias who was saved from the Hamas terrorists by hiding under his mother's dead body. On 2 December 2024, the film which was produced by Asaf Becker, premiered at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem and was attended by Israel's President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog.[20][21]

2024 Grammy Awards

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Tucker made headlines when she wore a dress at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards adorned with a large yellow ribbon with the words “Bring Them Home” embroidered on it, relating to the Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.[22][23] The dress was designed by Ortal, an Israeli designer based in Los Angeles. Tucker said that Grammy's Directors asked her to change because they considered the dress to be political, but she refused to do so.[8]

Awards

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Tucker has been recognised with awards from FIDF,[24] IAC, Magen David Adom,[25] and WIZO.[26] Hatzalah honored Tucker for her continued work in helping Israel.[27] Montana received special recognition from New York City Mayor Eric Adams.[28]

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ Hostein, L. (2024). "Montana Tucker on Fighting Israel’s Digital War". Hadassah Magazine. August 2024. Accessed November 25, 2024.
  2. ^ Beck, Robyn (February 4, 2024). "Montana Tucker Puts Yellow Ribbon for Israeli Hostages Front and Center on Her Grammys Look". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Eldor, K. (2023). "TikTok Star Montana Tucker Is Bringing Holocaust Awareness To A Younger Generation". Forbes. April 18, 2023. Accessed November 25, 2024.
  4. ^ "USC Shoah Foundation Institute testimony of Michael Schmidmayer". United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Accessed November 25, 2024.
  5. ^ Saval, M. (2023). "TikTok Star Montana Tucker Expands Reach of Moving Holocaust Doc Via YouTube". Variety. January 26, 2023. Accessed November 25, 2024.
  6. ^ Lebovic, M. (2022). "TikTok influencer Montana Tucker makes Holocaust docu-series for Gen Z". Times of Israel. November 7, 2022. Accessed November 25, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d Scoging, Sacha (February 16, 2021). "Montana Tucker: "People like to see you're not 100 percent perfect"". square mile. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Halutz, Dina (December 5, 2025). "Network star Montana Tucker: "I receive threats on a daily basis, but I'm not afraid"". Ynet. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  9. ^ "Montana Tucker Uses TikTok Audience to Teach Gen Z about the Holocaust". Jewish Journal. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  10. ^ "Montana Tucker". Montana Tucker. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  11. ^ Urban, S. (2022). "‘Holiday Twist’ Adds Sean Astin, Neal McDonough to Cast (Exclusive)". Variety. June 23, 2022. Accessed November 25, 2024.
  12. ^ Grobar, M. (2023). "Family Film ‘Holiday Twist’ Starring Sean Astin, Neal McDonough, Kelly Stables & Others Secures Nationwide Theatrical Release ". Deadline. October 18, 2023. Accessed November 25, 2024.
  13. ^ "Montana Tucker". LaPalme Magazine. June 15, 2021. Accessed November 25, 2024.
  14. ^ "How Montana Tucker's TikTok series on antisemitism made it to the White House". Jewish Insider. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  15. ^ "TikTok star Montana Tucker to emcee DC embassy event for Israel's 75th anniversary". Times of Israel. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  16. ^ "Montana Tucker, Influencer and Activist, Visits Rambam". Rambam Health Care Campus. December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  17. ^ "Montana Tucker: 'It's us against the world, and we will prevail'". JNS. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  18. ^ "Montana Tucker: 'Come to Israel and see it with your own eyes'". The Jerusalem Post. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  19. ^ "Montana Tucker's Oct. 7 film showcases young victims' strength". NewsNation. November 15, 2024.
  20. ^ "Those who watch 'The Children of October 7' won't be able to deny the massacre". Ynet. December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  21. ^ "'The Children of October 7': Montana Tucker premieres emotional film". Ynet. December 5, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  22. ^ "Montana Tucker brings global attention to hostages' plight". JNS. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  23. ^ "Montana Tucker on Fighting Israel's Digital War". Hadassah Magazine. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  24. ^ "Montana Tucker Dazzles FIDF Women". Atlanta Jewish Times. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  25. ^ "Tucker Women's Day". American Friends Magen David Adom. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  26. ^ "Mother's Day". Wizo Events. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  27. ^ "United Hatzalah of Israel Raises $18 Million at 4th Annual Miami Benefit Event". Israel Rescue. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  28. ^ "Mayor Eric Adams Hosts Annual Jewish Heritage Event". Jewish Link. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
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