Montenegrin singer Krstinja Matanović expressed her discontent following the recent Montesong competition, where she finished in fourth place with 12 points. The event, held on March 15, 2024, saw Matanović perform her song “Oli oli,” but her reaction post-competition focused more on the scoring decisions made by the jury, particularly the head of the jury, Nina Žižić.
Matanović took to her Instagram account shortly after the Montesong concluded to voice her criticism. She highlighted her dissatisfaction with the four points awarded to her by Žižić, who was also last year’s participant in the prestigious Eurosong event. In her post, Matanović questioned the criteria by which Žižić made her scoring decisions.
“I would ask Mrs. Žižić, the previous representative and chairwoman of the jury: ‘On what basis did you give your points?’” Matanović wrote. She further remarked on Žižić’s performance in the previous year’s Eurosong, suggesting that her success there undermined her credibility in judging others.
Matanović continued,
“Good singing can never be sabotaged, know that. Until tonight, you had my deep respect, primarily as an older colleague. I even overlooked your missteps at Eurosong, but you have shown how vain you truly are. May the voting honor you,”
she stated, underscoring her disappointment with the way the judging process unfolded.
The winner of this year’s Montesong was Tamara Živković, who received high praise for her performance. The maximum 12 points in the competition were awarded to the band Baryak, further intensifying Matanović’s critique of the jury’s decisions.
This incident has sparked conversation around the judging process in music competitions, particularly regarding the influence of past performances on present evaluations. As artists continue to navigate the complexities of competitive music, the reactions from figures like Matanović highlight the tensions that can arise between participants and juries.
As the music scene in Montenegro continues to evolve, the implications of such criticisms may lead to discussions about transparency and fairness in future competitions. The Montesong event remains a significant platform for showcasing talent, but the fallout from this year’s judging decisions may linger as artists seek clarity and fairness in the evaluation process.
