Donny Montell
A Lithuanian pop dynamo who twice commanded the Eurovision stage, blending theatrical flair with infectious dance anthems.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Lithuanian singer-songwriter·Birthday: October 22·Millennials
Biography
Donny Montell represented Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012 with 'Love Is Blind' and again in 2016 with 'I've Been Waiting for This Night.' Born Donatas Montvydas in Vilnius, he built a sustained career as a hitmaker and performer in his home country. His energetic live shows merge pop sensibilities with playful spectacle. His two Eurovision appearances define his role in modern Lithuanian popular music.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Donny was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Donny Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Donny's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Represented Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012 with the song 'Love Is Blind'.
- Represented Lithuania at Eurovision a second time in 2016 with 'I've Been Waiting for This Night'.
- Won the Lithuanian national selection for Eurovision, 'Eurovizija', in both 2012 and 2016.
Did You Know?
He is a trained circus performer, having studied at the Vilnius Circus School, which influences his stage presence.
Before his music career took off, he worked as a hairdresser.
His 2016 Eurovision performance featured a blindfold, a nod to his song's title 'Love Is Blind'.
“On stage, you must give everything, because the audience feels your truth.”
