Montenegro’s singer Krstinja Matanović has voiced her discontent following her performance at the Montesong festival, where she secured 4th place with 12 points. The event, which took place on the evening of March 15, 2024, saw Matanović take the stage with her song “Oli oli”. Her comments, however, were directed towards fellow artist Nina Žiznić, who served as the jury president and was also a participant in last year’s Eurosong.
Immediately after the Montesong concluded, Matanović took to her Instagram account to express her disappointment with Žiznić. She emphasized her dissatisfaction with the four points awarded to her by Žiznić. In her post, Matanović questioned the criteria used by Žiznić for scoring, referencing her prior performance at the Eurosong and calling out what she perceived as hypocrisy.
Matanović stated, “I would ask Ms. Žiznić, last year’s representative and jury president: ‘What criteria did you use to give your votes?’ Given that you ‘shone’ at the Eurosong, how can you not feel ashamed? Good singing can never be sabotaged, know that. Until tonight, you had my deep respect, primarily as an older colleague. I even overlooked your past mistakes at the Eurosong, but you have shown how truly vain you are. May the voting be to your honor.”
The Montesong festival culminated with Tamara Živković taking the top prize, while Žiznić allocated her maximum score of 12 points to the band Baryak. Matanović’s comments have sparked conversations about the accountability of judges in music competitions and the dynamics of industry relationships.
This incident casts a spotlight on the competitive nature of the music scene in Montenegro. As artists navigate personal and professional rivalries, the impact of public criticism on their careers remains significant. Matanović’s outspoken remarks reflect the passion and challenges within the artistic community, making the Montesong not just a platform for showcasing talent but also a stage for expressing deeper issues in the industry.
