Montana Tucker is an American dancer, singer, and social media influencer 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, and the importance of remembrance. Her interest in Holocaust education stems from her family history; her grandparents, Lilly and Michael Schmidmayer, survived Auschwitz and whose 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 content but argues the need for education to counter antisemitism and ensure the preservation of Holocaust memory.[3][5][6]
Montana Tucker | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 18, 1993 Boca Raton, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | montanatucker |
Early life
editTucker was born in Boca Raton, Florida. She is Jewish, the granddaughter of Lilly & 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] Michael passed away at 97 years old 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 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]
Career
editWhen Tucker was 8, she began modeling and appeared in music videos, tv shows including E-Venture Kids, with Ariana Grande, and commercials including for Ovaltine, Sketchers, 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 Ashley Simpson.
At age 14, Tucker had her first public performance which was at the 2007 Super Bowl Pre Game.[8]
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 2023, Tucker appeared on the film Holiday Twist where she played the character "Cheryl".[9][10] She also appears on the soundtrack for the 2021 film Step Up 2: The Streets.[11]
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.[12]
Tucker produced a film titled "The Children of October 7" which documents the youngest victims of the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel.[13]
External links
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References
edit- ^ Hostein, L. (2024). "Montana Tucker on Fighting Israel’s Digital War". Hadassah Magazine. August 2024. Accessed November 25, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "USC Shoah Foundation Institute testimony of Michael Schmidmayer". United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Accessed November 25, 2024.
- ^ Saval, M. (2023). "TikTok Star Montana Tucker Expands Reach of Moving Holocaust Doc Via YouTube". Variety. January 26, 2023. Accessed November 25, 2024.
- ^ Lebovic, M. (2022). "TikTok influencer Montana Tucker makes Holocaust docu-series for Gen Z". Times of Israel. November 7, 2022. Accessed November 25, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Montana Tucker". Montana Tucker. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ Urban, S. (2022). "‘Holiday Twist’ Adds Sean Astin, Neal McDonough to Cast (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. June 23, 2022. Accessed November 25, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Montana Tucker". LaPalme Magazine. June 15, 2021. Accessed November 25, 2024.
- ^ "Montana Tucker: 'Come to Israel and see it with your own eyes'". The Jerusalem Post. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ NewsNation Nov. 15, 2024.