Christophe Willem
Encyclopedia
Christophe Willem born on 3 August 1983 in Enghien-les-Bains
, Val-d'Oise
, is a French singer and the winner of the fourth edition of Nouvelle Star
(French version of Pop Idol
) in 2006.
(Val-d'Oise
), where his parents run a driving school. As a child, he learned figure skating
and to play the piano. Later he learned to sing as part of a gospel
choir "Young Voices". He also was composing songs at the age of fourteen.
Before deciding to study to become a lawyer and calculus professor, he continued to practice music and in 2004 he appeared in a Richard Anconina film, Alive, where he played the role of Henri, a young man with a golden voice who is, nevertheless, not considered suitable for the lead role in a musical. Since his film career continued after this, he returned home, where he studied communication while working a number of part-time jobs, such as babysitting and helping in a theatre.
, he surprised the judges, who did not expect such a quality voice from an admittedly ungainly-looking man. Nicknamed "La Tortue" (The Turtle) by Nouvelle Star judge Marianne James, he proved to be a popular contestant, and on 8 June, was crowned the fourth Nouvelle Star.
In May 2007 he released the second single Double Je, which went directly on the #1 in France and Belgium. The third single, Jacques A Dit came out in autumn 2007. The album was well received and sold double platinum
in France and gold in Belgium and Switzerland. So far, the album has sold over 1 million copies. Willem started his first tour on 15 November 2007 and it ended on 20 July 2008. He toured France, Belgium, Switzerland and the Overseas departments and territories of France
, such as Réunion
, Mauritius and even New Caledonia
. He also sang several times in Paris at L'Olympia
and Zenith, which are the most prestigious concert halls in Paris.
In 2007 Christophe Willem appeared on the list of the 10 musicians who earn the most in France (including income, record sales, concerts and contract). Christophe Willem was in 6th place and earned a total of 1.22 million euros in 2007.
He joined artists such as Tears for Fears
, Lara Fabian
, and Murray Head
on the Night of the Proms
tour 2007.
In 2008, he joined the Les Enfoires
charity ensemble
His second album, Caféine, was published in 25 May 2009 and the album's first single was Berlin. The second single was Plus Que Tout and the third Heartbox.
Caféine went immediately to #1 in France.
In 2010, he joined the jury of French version of X Factor.
His third album, entitled Prismophonic was released in November 2011, the first single being Cool
Enghien-les-Bains
Enghien-les-Bains is a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris, in the département of Val-d'Oise....
, Val-d'Oise
Val-d'Oise
Val-d'Oise is a French department, created in 1968 after the split of the Seine-et-Oise department and located in the Île-de-France region. In local slang, it is known as "quatre-vingt quinze" or "neuf cinq"...
, is a French singer and the winner of the fourth edition of Nouvelle Star
Nouvelle Star
Nouvelle Star is a French television series based on the popular Pop Idol programme produced by FremantleMedia and broadcast by M6 in France....
(French version of Pop Idol
Pop Idol
Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...
) in 2006.
Early life
Christophe spent most of his life in Deuil-la-BarreDeuil-la-Barre
Deuil-la-Barre is a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris.-Name:Originally called simply Deuil, the name of the commune became officially Deuil-la-Barre on 7 December 1952.-History:...
(Val-d'Oise
Val-d'Oise
Val-d'Oise is a French department, created in 1968 after the split of the Seine-et-Oise department and located in the Île-de-France region. In local slang, it is known as "quatre-vingt quinze" or "neuf cinq"...
), where his parents run a driving school. As a child, he learned figure skating
Figure skating
Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...
and to play the piano. Later he learned to sing as part of a gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
choir "Young Voices". He also was composing songs at the age of fourteen.
Before deciding to study to become a lawyer and calculus professor, he continued to practice music and in 2004 he appeared in a Richard Anconina film, Alive, where he played the role of Henri, a young man with a golden voice who is, nevertheless, not considered suitable for the lead role in a musical. Since his film career continued after this, he returned home, where he studied communication while working a number of part-time jobs, such as babysitting and helping in a theatre.
Nouvelle Star
Pushed by his family and friends, he decided to try out for the 2006 edition of Nouvelle Star. With an initial audition performance of Strong Enough by Des'reeDes'ree
Des'ree is an English pop/soul singer who was popular during the 1990s. She is well known for her hits: "Feel So High", "You Gotta Be", "Life", and "Kissing You"...
, he surprised the judges, who did not expect such a quality voice from an admittedly ungainly-looking man. Nicknamed "La Tortue" (The Turtle) by Nouvelle Star judge Marianne James, he proved to be a popular contestant, and on 8 June, was crowned the fourth Nouvelle Star.
Performances
- Initial audition : "Strong enough" (Des'reeDes'reeDes'ree is an English pop/soul singer who was popular during the 1990s. She is well known for her hits: "Feel So High", "You Gotta Be", "Life", and "Kissing You"...
) - Further audition : "Être à la hauteur" (Le Roi SoleilLe Roi Soleil (musical)Le Roi Soleil is a successful French musical about the life of Louis XIV . It premiered on 22 September 2005 at the Palais des Sports in Paris.-Plot:...
/Emmanuel MoireEmmanuel MoireEmmanuel Moire is a French singer. He and his twin brother Nicolas were born in Le Mans on 16 June 1979. Emmanuel is an eclectic artist. He sings and plays the piano, with a hundred tunes to his credit.-Singing career:...
) - Top 14 : "SunnySunny (song)"Sunny" is the name of a song written by Bobby Hebb. It is one of the most covered popular songs, with hundreds of versions released. BMI rates "Sunny" number 25 in its "Top 100 songs of the century."...
" (Boney MBoney MBoney M. is a Eurodisco group created by German record producer Frank Farian. Originally based in Germany, the four original members of the group's official line-up were Jamaicans Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett, Maizie Williams from Montserrat and Bobby Farrell from Aruba...
) - Top 14 redux : "Où sont les femmes" (Patrick JuvetPatrick JuvetPatrick Juvet is a former model turned singer-songwriter, who had a string of hit records in France...
) - Top 10 : "True ColorsTrue Colors (song)"True Colors" is a song written by songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, additional lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. It was both the title track and the first single released from Cyndi Lauper's second album. It was the only original song on the album that Lauper did not help write...
" (Cyndi LauperCyndi LauperCynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
) - Top 9 : "Ça plane pour moi" (Plastic BertrandPlastic BertrandPlastic Bertrand is a Belgian musician, songwriter, producer, editor and television presenter, best known for the 1977 international hit single "Ça plane pour moi".-Early life and bands:...
) - Top 8 : "I Am What I AmI Am What I Am (Broadway musical song)"I am what I am" is a song originally introduced in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical La Cage aux Folles . The song is the finale number of the musical's first act, and performed by the character of Albin Mougeotte, first played by George Hearn...
" (Gloria GaynorGloria GaynorGloria Gaynor is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits; "I Will Survive" , "Never Can Say Goodbye" , "Let Me Know " and "I Am What I Am" .-Early career:Gaynor was a singer with the Soul...
) - Top 7 : "New York, New YorkTheme from New York, New York"Theme from New York, New York" is the theme song from the Martin Scorsese film New York, New York , composed by John Kander, with lyrics by Fred Ebb. It was written for and performed in the film by Liza Minnelli...
" (Frank SinatraFrank SinatraFrancis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
) - Top 6 : "Goodbye Marilou" (Michel PolnareffMichel PolnareffMichel Polnareff, born in Nérac on 3 July 1944, is a French singer-songwriter who was very popular from the mid-1960s until the early 1980s...
), "I Will Always Love YouI Will Always Love You"I Will Always Love You" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton in 1973, who first released the song as a single in 1974.-Dolly Parton version:...
" (Whitney HoustonWhitney HoustonWhitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
) - Top 5 : "My Heart Will Go OnMy Heart Will Go On"My Heart Will Go On" is the theme song/love theme of the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic. With music by James Horner, lyrics by Will Jennings, and production by Simon Franglen, James Horner and Walter Afanasieff ,, it was recorded by Céline Dion...
" (Céline DionCeline DionCéline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
), "Stayin' AliveStayin' Alive"Stayin' Alive" is a song by the pop group Bee Gees from the Saturday Night Fever motion picture soundtrack. The song was written by the Bee Gees and produced by the Bee Gees, Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson. It was released on 13 December 1977, as the second single from the Saturday Night Fever...
" (Bee GeesBee GeesThe Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
) - Top 4 : "Memory" – (Barbra StreisandBarbra StreisandBarbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
), "I Want You BackI Want You Back"I Want You Back" was released in 1969 and in early 1970s became a number-one hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. The song, along with a b-side cover of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Who's Lovin' You", was the only single from the first Jackson 5 album, Diana Ross Presents...
" (The Jackson Five) - Top 3 : "I'm Still StandingI'm Still Standing"I'm Still Standing" is a song on English pop rock performer Elton John's 1983 album, Too Low for Zero. He sings about making a comeback despite problems in daily life. The video, directed by Russell Mulcahy, was shot in Cannes and Nice on the Côte d'Azur in France and features the colours of the...
" (Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
), "Pour ne pas vivre seul" (DalidaDalidaDalida , born with Italian name of Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti, was a world-famous singer and actress born in Egypt with Italian origins but naturalised French with the name Yolanda Gigliotti. She spent her early years in Egypt amongst the Italian Egyptian community, but she lived most of her adult...
) - Top 2 : "Born to Be AliveBorn to Be AliveBorn to Be Alive is a 1979 album by Belgian singer Patrick Hernandez and also a song on this album.The album's title track, written by Hernandez, was a significant worldwide pop hit and also hit number one on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart...
" (Patrick HernandezPatrick HernandezPatrick Hernandez is a French singer who had a worldwide hit with "Born to Be Alive" in 1979.-Biography:...
), "La chanson des vieux amants" (Jacques BrelJacques BrelJacques Brel was a Belgian singer-songwriter who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted following in France initially, and later throughout the world. He was widely considered a master of the modern chanson...
), "Last DanceLast Dance (song)"Last Dance" is a hit 1978 song by singer Donna Summer. The song appeared on the Thank God It's Friday movie soundtrack. It was written by Paul Jabara and was co-produced by Summer's regular collaborator Giorgio Moroder, along with Bob Esty...
" (Donna SummerDonna SummerLaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
) - Top 1 : "Someone NewSomeone New"Someone New" is a 2002 single released by Eskobar featuring Heather Nova. The duet was an international hit.Although both artists are still primarily known in Europe, the popularity of "Someone New" saw Eskobar and Heather Nova's fan base reach America through MTV.- Music video :The success of the...
" (EskobarEskobarEskobar is the name of a Swedish indie/pop band that was founded in 1996 some 30 kilometres north of Stockholm, in the small town of Åkersberga...
)
Career
His debut album Inventaire was released on 16 April 2007, while the first single, Élu produit de l'année premiered in March.In May 2007 he released the second single Double Je, which went directly on the #1 in France and Belgium. The third single, Jacques A Dit came out in autumn 2007. The album was well received and sold double platinum
Double Platinum
Double Platinum is a 1999 musical telefilm starring Diana Ross and Brandy.-Plot:The story begins with a scene featuring star singer Olivia King leaving her daughter Kayla, who was an infant at the time. It is revealed that Kayla was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but in her later years, she would move...
in France and gold in Belgium and Switzerland. So far, the album has sold over 1 million copies. Willem started his first tour on 15 November 2007 and it ended on 20 July 2008. He toured France, Belgium, Switzerland and the Overseas departments and territories of France
Overseas departments and territories of France
The French Overseas Departments and Territories consist broadly of French-administered territories outside of the European continent. These territories have varying legal status and different levels of autonomy, although all have representation in the Parliament of France , and consequently the...
, such as Réunion
Réunion
Réunion is a French island with a population of about 800,000 located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, about south west of Mauritius, the nearest island.Administratively, Réunion is one of the overseas departments of France...
, Mauritius and even New Caledonia
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of...
. He also sang several times in Paris at L'Olympia
Paris Olympia
The Olympia is a music hall in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Located at No. 28, Boulevard des Capucines, its closest métro/RER stations are Madeleine, Opéra, Havre – Caumartin and Auber....
and Zenith, which are the most prestigious concert halls in Paris.
In 2007 Christophe Willem appeared on the list of the 10 musicians who earn the most in France (including income, record sales, concerts and contract). Christophe Willem was in 6th place and earned a total of 1.22 million euros in 2007.
He joined artists such as Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears are an English new wave band formed in the early 1980s by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the New Wave synthesiser bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into...
, Lara Fabian
Lara Fabian
Lara Fabian is a Belgian-Italian international singer who also holds Canadian citizenship. Multilingual, she sings in French, Italian and English....
, and Murray Head
Murray Head
Murray Seafield Saint-George Head is a British actor and singer, most recognised for his international hit songs "Superstar" and "One Night in Bangkok" and his album Say It Ain't So...
on the Night of the Proms
Night of the Proms
Night of the Proms is a series of concerts held yearly in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Poland. Regularly there are also shows in France, Spain, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg...
tour 2007.
In 2008, he joined the Les Enfoires
Les Enfoirés
Les Enfoirés , is the name given to the singers and performers in the yearly charity concert for the Restaurants du Cœur .-History:...
charity ensemble
His second album, Caféine, was published in 25 May 2009 and the album's first single was Berlin. The second single was Plus Que Tout and the third Heartbox.
Caféine went immediately to #1 in France.
In 2010, he joined the jury of French version of X Factor.
His third album, entitled Prismophonic was released in November 2011, the first single being Cool
Albums
| Year | Album | Date of release | Chart | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
FR France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... (DD Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... ) |
BEL Belgium Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many... (WA) |
SWI Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... |
|||
| 2007 | Inventaire Inventaire Inventaire is the name given to the debut album of the French singer Christophe Willem. It was released on April 16, 2007 and was supported by the two hit singles "Double Je" and "Jacques a dit", which were top five hits in France and Belgium... |
16 April 2007 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Inventaire tout en acoustic | 23 November 2007 | 22 | 6 | - | - | |
| 2009 | Caféine Caféine (album) Caféine is the second album from French singer Christophe Willem. It was released on 25 May 2009 by Columbia. The lead single is "Berlin" and was released for download on 28 March 2009.- Background :... |
25 May 2009 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| 2011 | Prismophonic | 21 November 2011 | - | - | - | - |
Singles
| Year | Single | Date of release | Chart | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
FR France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... (DD Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... ) |
BEL Belgium Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many... (WA) |
SWI Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... |
||||
| 2006 | "Sunny Sunny (song) "Sunny" is the name of a song written by Bobby Hebb. It is one of the most covered popular songs, with hundreds of versions released. BMI rates "Sunny" number 25 in its "Top 100 songs of the century."... " |
7 July 2006 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 17 | — |
| 2007 | "Élu Produit De L'année" | 16 March 2007 | — | 2 | 29 | — | Inventaire Inventaire Inventaire is the name given to the debut album of the French singer Christophe Willem. It was released on April 16, 2007 and was supported by the two hit singles "Double Je" and "Jacques a dit", which were top five hits in France and Belgium... |
| "Double Je Double Je "Double je" is a 2007 song recorded by the French singer Christophe Willem with lyrics by Zazie. It was his third single and the second one from his debut album, Inventaire... " |
May 2007 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 21 | ||
| "Jacques a dit Jacques a dit "Jacques a dit" is the name of a 2007 song recorded by the French singer Christophe Willem. It was released on 5 October 2007 as the third single from his debut album, Inventaire... " |
October 2007 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 35 | ||
| 2008 | "Quelle Chance / September" | April 2008 | 9 | — | 24 | — | |
| 2009 | "Berlin" | 2009 | — | 5 | 8 | 57 | Caféine Caféine (album) Caféine is the second album from French singer Christophe Willem. It was released on 25 May 2009 by Columbia. The lead single is "Berlin" and was released for download on 28 March 2009.- Background :... |
| 2009 | "Plus Que Tout" | 2009 | — | 2 | 6 | 53 | |
| 2009 | "Heartbox" | 2009 | — | — | — | — | |
| 2010 | "Entre Nous Et Le Sol" | 2010 | — | — | — | — | |
| 2011 | "Cool" | 20 September 2011 | — | — | — | — | Prismophonic |
Awards
| Year | Awards | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | ||
| 2008 | NRJ Music Awards NRJ Music Awards The NRJ Music Awards, created in 2000 by the radio station NRJ in partnership with the television network TF1 takes place every year in mid-January at Cannes as the opening of MIDEM... |
"Discovery of the year" |
| 2008 | NRJ Music Awards NRJ Music Awards The NRJ Music Awards, created in 2000 by the radio station NRJ in partnership with the television network TF1 takes place every year in mid-January at Cannes as the opening of MIDEM... |
for "Inventaire" |
| 2008 | Victoires de la Musique Victoires de la Musique Victoires de la musique , is an annual French award ceremony that recognizes the best musical artists of the year.- Male artist of the year :*1985 : Michel Jonasz*1986 : Jean-Jacques Goldman*1987 : Johnny Hallyday... |
for "Double Je" |
| 2010 | ||
| 2010 | NRJ Music Awards NRJ Music Awards The NRJ Music Awards, created in 2000 by the radio station NRJ in partnership with the television network TF1 takes place every year in mid-January at Cannes as the opening of MIDEM... |
for "Best French male artist of the year" |
| 2010 | NRJ Music Awards NRJ Music Awards The NRJ Music Awards, created in 2000 by the radio station NRJ in partnership with the television network TF1 takes place every year in mid-January at Cannes as the opening of MIDEM... |
for "Caféine" |
External links
- christophe-willem.com
- Review of Cafeine(in English)