Less is More

If we need a new buzzword for being fresh, exciting, and multi-talented, it’s Montana Tucker. Since the beginning of her career as a model at eight years old, she has accomplished so much in such a short time: She has been a back-up dancer for artists like Ashanti and Remy Ma, released multiple hits like “Doo Wop,” “Hola,” “Sunday Funday,” and “I’m Not Alone,” and amassed millions of followers on social media. In addition, she has found her path by doing what she loves: helping provide relief to those in need. “I’ve always loved volunteering since I was little with my mom, and it’s a main reason why I create a lot of content that I make,” she says. “I love giving everybody and anybody a chance and helping them whenever I can. Whether it’s helping one person or millions of people, knowing that my actions can make a difference motivates me to keep doing what I’m doing to make the world a better place.”

For instance, she has supported Red Eye, a non-profit that provides a connection between celebrity influencers and underprivileged youth, allowing the younger generation to empower their lives and dreams, and develop their talents. They also have a central hub in Los Angeles known as the Watts Empowerment Center, a youth center that not only offers after-school tutoring,  as well as sports and arts programs for children and families in the area, but also hosts a farmers’ market to distribute healthy food boxes to people in need. “I think what I love most about it is that everyone there is so happy,” Tucker adds. “They have a DJ that plays music there, and the last time I went, there were these young girls that were trying to teach me new dances. The energy at the center is contagious, because you can tell that even the volunteers are so grateful to be there.”

In January, Tucker, who is also a longtime ally of the Alzheimer’s Association, announced her plans to partner with the MIND Institute at Miami Jewish Health to begin developing a new program that would bring an innovative combination of music and movement into the daily routines of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive impairment, and other related conditions. The program, she says, is similar to the popular dance-fitness program Zumba, but set in a way that would be easy and adaptable for people with Alzheimer’s disease and/or limited mobility to stimulate parts of the brain and keep them active. “My grandma is one of my favorite people in the world,” she says of her grandmother, who has been living with Alzheimer’s for more than 12 years and was the inspiration behind this program. “It’s very rare to have Alzheimer’s for over 12 years and live the life that she has lived, and to be as happy as she is, so when I found out about the MIND Institute and what they were doing, I knew that I wanted to be involved and that I had to be involved.”

Tucker takes pride in her family’s Jewish heritage, which is a big part of the message she wants to deliver to the world – to be proud of who you are. “My grandparents came from Hungary and Romania to the U.S. with absolutely nothing and created this whole incredible life for themselves, so I’m really grateful for that,” she shares. “There’s so much negativity in the world, even with all the advances we’ve made towards equality. Everyone needs to stop separating and segregating and needs to be more accepting of everyone else, no matter who you are, where you came from, what your skin color is, or what religion you practice.”

In addition to creating more content for her growing TikTok page, she hopes that her music, including the new single “Be Myself,” can serve as words of encouragement for others to express themselves authentically, without fear and judgement. “We live in a society nowadays, especially with social media, where you’re always comparing yourself to others,” Tucker affirms. “You’ve got to just love and be proud of who you are, no matter where you came from, what you look like, or how much money you have. I know it sounds cliché, but I think that in a world where everything seems so negative, it’s a positive, uplifting message that everyone needs to hear.”

Writer: Hannah Fitzpatrick

Photographer: Haldane Morris

Stylists: Kat & Cara

Hair: Matilde Campos (using Hidden Crown, Oribe, Bumble and bumble., Surface Hair, RUSK & CHI)

Makeup: Phoebe Dawson (using Kiehl's Since 1851 & M·A·C Cosmetics)

Editor: Eiko Watanabe

Special thanks to EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)