Nouvelle Star is a French television series based on the popular 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...

 programme produced by FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia, Ltd. is the content and production division of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, Europe's second largest TV, radio, and production company...

 and broadcast by M6 in France.

It was hosted by Benjamin Castaldi

Benjamin Castaldi

Benjamin Castaldi is a French television personality of Italian origin and current host of Secret Story, the spinoff of Loft Story. And, La Ferme Célébrités....

 for the first three series (2003–2005). He also hosted 13 episodes of Series 4 (2006). Virginie Efira

Virginie Efira

Virginie Efira is a Belgian actress, and anchor on French Television.She was first hired by Club RTL to present a children's show called Mégamix. She went on to present other programmes in Belgium, including A la recherche de la nouvelle Star...

 presented the remainder of Series 4, as well as presenting Series 5 and 6 (2007 and 2008). Seasons 7 (2009) and 8 (2010) are presented by Virginie Guilhaume.
The four members of the jury have to judge about 25,000 contestants in various towns around France and Belgium.