Star Academy France
Encyclopedia
Star Academy was a French
reality television
show produced by the Dutch
company Endemol
, based on the Spanish
format called Operación Triunfo
. It consists of a contest of young singers. It spawned an equally successful show in Quebec
called Star Académie
. It was broadcast on TF1
. At the end of each season, selected contestants would go on tour around France
, Morocco
, Switzerland
, Belgium
, Tunisia
, and other French-speaking countries.
The contestants stayed in the Dammarie-lès-Lys
castle: The Vives-Eaux castle.
The reality show was hosted by Nikos Aliagas
and featured guest stars such as Beyoncé, Céline Dion
, Madonna
, Tina Arena
, Nelly Furtado
, Tokio Hotel
, Andrea Bocelli
, Charles Aznavour
, Hélène Ségara
, Peter Kingsbery
, Phil Collins
, Laura Pausini
, Kylie Minogue
, Dannii Minogue
, Tina Turner
, Mariah Carey
, Lara Fabian
, Rihanna
, Shania Twain
, Moby
, Avril Lavigne
, Anastacia
, Alicia Keys
, Craig David
, 50 Cent
, Will.i.am
, James Blunt
, Diddy
, Sting, David Guetta
, Lenny Kravitz
, Janet Jackson
, Britney Spears
, Liza Minnelli
, Johnny Halliday, Paul Anka
, Lionel Richie
, Alanis Morissette
, Ray Charles
, Stevie Wonder
, Elton John
, Bee Gees
, and Ricky Martin
.
Season 1 was won in 2001 by Jenifer Bartoli from Nice, who has become one of France's best-loved new female singers since then. Second studio album Le Passage has songwriting contributions from Calogero and Benoît Poher from Kyo
.
Carine and Mario, along with series 2 contestants Anne-Laure and Houcine and series 5 contestants Pierre and Alexia make up the cast of a new comedie-musicale in France "Salut Joe" which features the songs of legendary star Joe Dassin
.
Olivia Ruiz has enjoyed critical and commercial success with her album La Femme Chocolat.
Season 2 of Star Academy launched some singers with successful solo careers - winner Nolwenn but also Emma, who reinvented herself as France's answer to Avril Lavigne; singer, songwriter and producer Jérémy Chatelain who married Alizee; singer-songwriter Georges-Alain Jones; Aurelie Konate who appeared in the comedie-musicale Belles Belles Belles based on the music of Claude François
.
After the highly successful season 2, much was expected of season 3 and the favourites were named at the beginning: Sofia and Michal. As it turned out, both of them made their respective male/female semi finals, joined by Elodie and Patxi respectively. Many critics and the professors considered Sofia to be not just the best this year, but one of the best students in the history of Star Academy France overall. Elodie, who was considered to be inferior to Sofia, ended up making it to the finals, where she beat Polish contestant Michal and become the winner of Star Academy 3.
Michal will return to the music scene in France in 2007 with his second album All Alone with my Gueule. Sofia ended up releasing her own album Mon cabaret in 2005.
Season 4 winner Grégory Lemarchal became the first male winner of Star Academy in France. He released his debut single "Écris l'histoire
" and debut album Je deviens moi
in France in 2005. Grégory also enjoyed success in 2006 with "Même si", a bilingual duet with Lucie Silvas of her song "What You're Made Of
".
On April 30, 2007, Grégory Lemarchal died of complications due to cystic fibrosis
while waiting for a lung transplant.
Season 5 was notable for the return of some familiar faces - season 1 and 2 directrice Alexia Laroche-Joubert returned in the same role, after which the role was filled in season 3 by Nathalie Andre, and in season 4 by Gerard Louvin. Also back was Raphaelle Ricci as prof of scenic expression.
Despite an expanded age limit on participants, there was only one noticeably participant - Jérémy Amelin (18). His popularity grew over the series and he eventually reached the finale where he faced, and lost to, Magalie Vaé.
Among the female contestants the early favourite was Emilie, a violinist who originated from the island of Reunion. However, her popularity with the jury was seemingly not shared by the public. In the female semi final she and fellow student Ely were voted out in favour of Magalie, who had attracted much attention in France because, unlike previous Star Academy participants, she was overweight.
In the end, Magalie triumphed on 16.12.2005 and became the fifth Star Academy winner in France. Magalie sold the least CDs by a series winner compared to previous winners Jenifer and Nolwenn. This raises the question of whether the judging should be 100% in the hands of the voting public.
All of last year's profs returned this year including directrice Alexia Laroche-Joubert and dance teacher Kamel Ouali, the latter kept French fans guessing regarding his participation up to the last minute, as he remained involved in the popular musical Le Roi Soleil. Nikos Aliagas continued to present the daily updates and weekly "Prime" on Fridays.
The focus for this season was expected to shift from traditional songs to the "nouvelle chanson francaise" style made popular by singers like Benabar, Benjamin Biolay and former Star Ac 1 contestant Olivia Ruiz. Contestants Marina and Jean-Charles reflected this new musical style and Marina, in particular, was allowed to sing her own compositions on the "Prime".
Gael, whose musical style resembled that of the Gipsy Kings, eventually quit on 13 November, allegedly in relation to the refusal of the producers to allow him to record with the Gipsy Kings, whom his musical style clearly owed an allegiance to.
There was also controversy over remarks made by Raphaelle Ricci following the eviction of fan favourite Nicolas Charvillat, suggesting that her fellow "profs" had decided to evict him before he even sang a note.
Eventual finalist Dominique had already tasted success in Italy as a member of "Popstars" winners Lollipop.
In the end Cyril, the first black person to win Star Academy or any singing contest in France, triumphed by 67% of the vote over Dominique (33%) on 22 December to became the sixth Star Academy winner in France.
This year was unusual as only seven students went on the tour: Cyril, Dominique, Cynthia, Jean-Charles, Brice, Marina, and Ludovic.
Maureen, the favorite, walked after 7 weeks. Mathieu had been nominated 8 times over Star Academy 7, but each time was favored by the public to continue. Until finally, improving his show greatly, ending up in the final where Quentin, the favorite of most spectators with 0 nominations, won by the close margin of 52.6% to 47.4% for Mathieu.
The contestants in season 8 are:
Top 2 (the finale aired on 19/12/08) -
Eliminated (in order of elimination) -
Alice has been nominated the most times, with five; but was saved by the public each time, with an overwhelming majority above two other nominees. The series also saw a decline in the ratings, as in the premiere week, it has received 5.5 million viewers with 29.6% share (mainly from their competition, NCIS
on M6). This was considerably down from the previous series' 7.1 million viewers (30.7% share).
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...
reality television
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
show produced by the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
company Endemol
Endemol
Endemol is an international television production and distribution company based in the Netherlands, with subsidiaries and joint ventures in 23 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Poland,...
, based on the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
format called Operación Triunfo
Operación Triunfo
Operación Triunfo is a reality-show talent contest which first aired on Spain's TVE network in 2001. A kind of cross between Pop Idol, Voces en Función, Star Search, and Big Brother, the show aimed to find the country's next solo singing sensation, putting a selection of hopefuls through their...
. It consists of a contest of young singers. It spawned an equally successful show in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
called Star Académie
Star Académie
Star Académie is a Canadian reality TV series started in 2003, aimed primarily at the Quebec television audience, featuring an array of competing young women and men for the title of the best singer...
. It was broadcast on TF1
TF1
TF1 is a national French TV channel, controlled by TF1 Group, whose major share-holder is Bouygues. TF1's average market share of 24% makes it the most popular domestic network...
. At the end of each season, selected contestants would go on tour around France
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...
, Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, Switzerland
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....
, Belgium
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...
, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, and other French-speaking countries.
The contestants stayed in the Dammarie-lès-Lys
Dammarie-les-Lys
Dammarie-lès-Lys is a commune in the south-eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located in the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de-France region from the center of Paris.-History:...
castle: The Vives-Eaux castle.
The reality show was hosted by Nikos Aliagas
Nikos Aliagas
Nikos Aliagas is a Greek-born French host of the French music reality program named Star Academy. One of his parents came from the area of Stamna in the prefecture of Aitoloacarnania in Greece. He speaks five languages including English...
and featured guest stars such as Beyoncé, Céline Dion
Celine Dion
Céline 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...
, Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Tina Arena
Tina Arena
Filippina Lydia "Tina" Arena is an Australian singer, songwriter and musical theatre actress. She has won several awards, most notably 6 ARIA Awards and in both 1996 and 2000 she received the World Music Award for the world's best selling Australian artist...
, Nelly Furtado
Nelly Furtado
Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Furtado grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.Furtado first gained fame with her debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, and its single "I'm Like a Bird", which won a 2001 Juno Award for Single of the Year and a 2002 Grammy...
, Tokio Hotel
Tokio Hotel
Tokio Hotel is a pop rock band from Germany, founded in 2001 by singer Bill Kaulitz, guitarist Tom Kaulitz, drummer Gustav Schäfer and bassist Georg Listing...
, Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
, Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour, OC is an Armenian-French singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat. Besides being one of France's most popular and enduring singers, he is also one of the best-known singers in the world...
, Hélène Ségara
Hélène Ségara
Hélène Ségara is a French female singer revealed in her interpretation of Esmeralda in the french musical Notre Dame de Paris.-Her childhood in the French Riviera:...
, Peter Kingsbery
Peter Kingsbery
Peter Kingsbery is an American singer songwriter who cofounded the band Cock Robin in the 1980s. He grew up in Austin where he studied classical music...
, Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
, Laura Pausini
Laura Pausini
Laura Pausini, is a Grammy Award-winning Italian soul singer-songwriter. She debuted in 1993, winning the newcomer artists' section of the 43rd Sanremo Music Festival with the song "La solitudine", which became an Italian standard and an international hit, reaching the top spot on the Italian...
, Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
, Dannii Minogue
Dannii Minogue
Danielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
, Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
, Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, 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....
, Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
, Shania Twain
Shania Twain
Shania Twain, OC is a Canadian country pop singer-songwriter. Her album The Woman in Me , brought her fame and her 1997 album Come On Over, became the best-selling album of all time by a female musician in any genre, and the best-selling country album of all time. It has sold over 40 million...
, Moby
Moby
Richard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
, Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more...
, Anastacia
Anastacia
Anastacia is an American singer-songwriter. Anastacia has been highly successful in Europe, Asia, South Africa and South America, but has had only minor success in her native United States...
, Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
, Craig David
Craig David
Craig Ashley David is an English singer and songwriter. He has released five studio albums: Born to Do It, Slicker Than Your Average, The Story Goes..., Trust Me, Signed Sealed Delivered and a Greatest Hits album...
, 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
, Will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
, James Blunt
James Blunt
James Hillier Blount , better known by his stage name James Blunt, is an English singer-songwriter and musician, and former army officer, whose debut album, Back to Bedlam and single releases, including "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover", brought him to fame in 2005...
, Diddy
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
, Sting, David Guetta
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
, Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz
Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
, Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
, Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
, Liza Minnelli
Liza Minnelli
Liza May Minnelli is an American actress and singer. She is the daughter of singer and actress Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli....
, Johnny Halliday, Paul Anka
Paul Anka
Paul Albert Anka, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor.Anka first became famous as a teen idol in the late 1950s and 1960s with hit songs like "Diana'", "Lonely Boy", and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder"...
, Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie
Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
, Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
, Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Bee Gees
Bee Gees
The 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...
, and Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin
Enrique "Ricky" Martín Morales , better known as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican and Spanish pop singer and actor who achieved prominence, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist since 1991.During his career he has sold more than 60 million album copies worldwide...
.
Season 1
- Jenifer BartoliJenifer BartoliJenifer Yaël Dadouche-Bartoli , better known as simply Jenifer, is a pop singer who has, since 2002, had a number of hit singles in the French, Belgium and Swiss charts...
(winner) - participated in the Star Academy Tour, released debut album JeniferJenifer (album)Jenifer is the title of Jenifer Bartoli debut album released in 2002 in France, and in February 2007 in U.S.. It achieved success on the French and Belgian chart, reaching the top two. It spawned four successful singles, all of them were top ten hits in her country home. One of the tracks is a duet...
and follow-up Le PassageLe Passage (album)Le Passage is the name of the second studio album recorded by the French singer Jenifer Bartoli. It was released on June 1, 2004 and contains the hit singles "Ma Révolution" and "Le Souvenir de ce jour"...
. Also released live CD & DVD Jenifer fait son liveJenifer fait son liveJenifer fait son live is the name of the first live album recorded by the French singer Jenifer Bartoli. It was recorded during the first live tour performed by the artist at the Zenith of Paris, on April 12 and 13 , 2005, and was released on October 3, 2005...
. - Mario BarravecchiaMario BarravecchiaMario Barravecchia , or simply Mario, is an Italo-Belgian who was finalist of the first edition of French TV reality show Star Academy...
(finalist) - participated in the Star Academy Tour - Jean-Pascal LacosteJean-Pascal LacosteJean-Pascal Lacoste is a French singer, actor and TV host.-Career:...
(semi-finalist) - participated in the Star Academy Tour - Carine Haddadou (semi-finalist)
- Olivia RuizOlivia RuizOlivia Blanc known as Olivia Ruiz is a female French pop singer of partial Spanish origin belonging to the nouvelle chanson genre.-Biography:...
(semi-finalist) - participated in the Star Academy Tour, released debut album J'aime pas l'amour in 2003 and follow-up album La Femme Chocolat in 2005. - Jessica Marquez - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Patrice Maktav - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Djalil Amine - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- François Roure - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Cécile Boutry
- Sidonie Koch
- Grégory Gulli - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Stéphane Bosmans
- Amandine Bisqueret
- Khalifa M'Baye
- Catherine
Season 1 was won in 2001 by Jenifer Bartoli from Nice, who has become one of France's best-loved new female singers since then. Second studio album Le Passage has songwriting contributions from Calogero and Benoît Poher from Kyo
Kyo (band)
-Biography:Since attending collège in Yvelines, the two brothers, Fabien and Florian Dubos, and two friends Nicolas Chassagne and Benoît Poher, discovered they had the same passion for bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden. In 1997, they met their manager, who...
.
Carine and Mario, along with series 2 contestants Anne-Laure and Houcine and series 5 contestants Pierre and Alexia make up the cast of a new comedie-musicale in France "Salut Joe" which features the songs of legendary star Joe Dassin
Joe Dassin
Joseph Ira Dassin , more commonly known as Joe Dassin, was an American singer-songwriter best known for his French songs of the 1960s and 1970s.-Biography:...
.
Olivia Ruiz has enjoyed critical and commercial success with her album La Femme Chocolat.
Season 2
- Nolwenn LeroyNolwenn LeroyNolwenn Leroy, , is a French singer and songwriter, discovered by the French television reality show Star Academy. She is best known for her two Number One singles "Cassé" and "Nolwenn Ohwo!"....
(winner) - participated in the Star Academy Tour released debut album Nolwenn Leroy and follow-up Histoires Naturelles. Also released live CD & DVD Histoire Naturelles Tour. - Houcine CamaraHoucine CamaraHoucine is a French singer. He was a finalist of the second edition of French TV reality show Star Academy. His first single, Être un homme comme vous, was on the soundtrack of the movie The Jungle Book 2, and became a successful record in France, Belgium-Wallonia, and Switzerland, where it became...
(finalist) - participated in the Star Academy Tour - Emma DaumasEmma DaumasManuelle "Emma" Daumas is a French songwriter and performer, particularly well known for her participation in Star Academy.-Beginnings:...
(semi-finalist) - participated in the Star Academy Tour - Georges-Alain JonesGeorges-Alain JonesGeorges-Alain Jones is a French singer. He participated in the second edition of French TV reality show Star Academy...
- (semi-finalist) participated in the Star Academy Tour - Aurélie Konaté - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Jérémy ChatelainJérémy ChâtelainJérémy Chatelain is a French singer, actor, and fashion designer. He is married to Alizée Jacotey with whom he has a child, Anny-Lee . He participated in the second season of the reality TV show Star Academy France.-Career:...
- participated in the Star Academy Tour - Anne-Laure Sibon - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Fabien Fasake - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Alexandre Balduzzi - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Isabelle Lem
- Eva Chemouni
- Rudy Carvalho
- Philip Miro
- Nazim
- Florence
- Stéphanie Hansen
Season 2 of Star Academy launched some singers with successful solo careers - winner Nolwenn but also Emma, who reinvented herself as France's answer to Avril Lavigne; singer, songwriter and producer Jérémy Chatelain who married Alizee; singer-songwriter Georges-Alain Jones; Aurelie Konate who appeared in the comedie-musicale Belles Belles Belles based on the music of Claude François
Claude François
Claude François was a French pop singer, songwriter and dancer. He wrote "Comme d'habitude," the original version of "My Way."-Early life:...
.
Season 3
- Elodie FrégéElodie FrégéElodie Frégé is a French singer. She was the winner of the third season of Star Academy France. She released her self-titled debut album after winning the show.-Biography:...
(winner) - participated in the Star Academy Tour and released debut CD Elodie Frégé early in 2004. - Michal Kwiatkowski (finalist) - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Sofia EssaïdiSofia EssaïdiSofia Essaïdi is a Moroccan singer. She was born in Casablanca, Morocco. She has a Moroccan father and a French mother.-Career:...
(semi-finalist) - participated in the Star Academy Tour and released debut CD Mon cabaret in 2005. - Lukas Delcourt - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Patxi Garat (semi-finalist) - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Morganne MatisMorganne MatisMorganne Matis is a French pop singer, and a former contestant in the third series of popular French television show Star Academy of TF1. Matis released one song as of week 10/2003, which made it to the charts. "Duel" spent 12 weeks on the French Singles Chart and reached a peak of number 23...
- participated in the Star Academy Tour and released debut cd Une fille De L'ere in 2006 - Amina El Bennouni
- Anne Thibault
- Edouard Algayon - participated in the Star Academy Tour (as guitarist), formed the trio Premix with Pierre and Edouard, released CD Chambre 1512 which included single "Oui ou Non". Premix split amicably in late 2005.
- Icaro Da Silva
- Marjorie Condoris
- Michaël Sapience
- Pierre Bouley - participated in the Star Academy Tour and member of Premix.
- Romain Billard - participated in the Star Academy Tour and member of Premix
- Stéphanie Dalmasso - appeared in French drama series Sous le soleilSous le soleilSous le soleil is a French soap opera broadcast on French major channel TF1 since 1996. It has been a huge success in many countries, particularly in...
. - Valérie Deniz De Boccard
After the highly successful season 2, much was expected of season 3 and the favourites were named at the beginning: Sofia and Michal. As it turned out, both of them made their respective male/female semi finals, joined by Elodie and Patxi respectively. Many critics and the professors considered Sofia to be not just the best this year, but one of the best students in the history of Star Academy France overall. Elodie, who was considered to be inferior to Sofia, ended up making it to the finals, where she beat Polish contestant Michal and become the winner of Star Academy 3.
Michal will return to the music scene in France in 2007 with his second album All Alone with my Gueule. Sofia ended up releasing her own album Mon cabaret in 2005.
Season 4
- Grégory LemarchalGrégory LemarchalGrégory Jean-Paul Lemarchal was a French singer who rose to fame by winning the fourth series of the reality TV programme Star Academy France, broadcast on the TF1 television network....
(winner) - participated in the Star Academy Tour - Lucie Bernardoni (finalist) - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Hoda Nekra (semi-finalist) - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Mathieu Johann (semi-finalist) - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Sofiane Tadjine-Lambert- participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Sandy François - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- John Eyzen - participated in the Star Academy Tour - came to play the role of Mercutio in the Asia Tour of Roméo et Juliette, de la Haine à l'AmourRoméo et Juliette, de la Haine à l'AmourRoméo et Juliette: de la Haine à l'Amour is a French musical based on William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, with music and lyrics by Gérard Presgurvic. It premiered in Paris on January 19, 2001. The production was directed and choreographed by Redha, with costumes by Dominique Borg and...
- Francesca Antoniotti
- Harlem Parmentier - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Enrique Toyos
- Radia Bensarsa - participated in the Star Academy Tour
- Morgan Auger
- Tina Gardinier
- Karima
- Sebastien Degut
- Emilie Ducrot
- Gauthier Roubichou
- Lennie
Season 4 winner Grégory Lemarchal became the first male winner of Star Academy in France. He released his debut single "Écris l'histoire
Écris l'histoire
"Écris l'histoire" is the debut and most successful single from French singer Grégory Lemarchal. It was released in March 2005 in francophone countries as first single from his album Je deviens moi, where it had a great success, particularly in France and Belgium .-Background:The lyrics were...
" and debut album Je deviens moi
Je deviens moi
Je deviens moi is the name of the first studio album recorded by the French singer Grégory Lemarchal. It was released on April 17, 2005 and contains the hit singles "Écris l'histoire" and "Je suis en vie". The album topped the chart in France, and was also a success in Belgium...
in France in 2005. Grégory also enjoyed success in 2006 with "Même si", a bilingual duet with Lucie Silvas of her song "What You're Made Of
What You're Made of
"What You're Made of..." is the first single of British female singer Lucie Silvas' début album Breathe In. It debuted and peaked at number 7 on the UK charts...
".
On April 30, 2007, Grégory Lemarchal died of complications due to cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease affecting most critically the lungs, and also the pancreas, liver, and intestine...
while waiting for a lung transplant.
Season 5
- Magalie VaéMagalie VaéMagalie Vaé is the stage name of Magalie Bonneau, a French singer born on 6 January 1987 in Gonesse . She was the winner of the fifth series of the French Star Academy TV talent show.-Biography:...
(Winner - Also participated in the Star Academy Tour) - Jérémy AmelinJérémy AmelinJérémy Amelin is a French electro recording artist and entertainer. Born in Montargis, France and raised in Montcresson, France...
(Finalist - Also participated in the Star Academy Tour) - Pascal Maunoury (Semi-Finalist - Also participated in the Star Academy Tour)
- Ely Breton (Semi-Finalist - Also participated in the Star Academy Tour)
- Emilie Minatchy (Semi-Finalist - Also participated in the Star Academy Tour)
- Alexia Palombo (Also participated in the Star Academy Tour)
- Jean-Luc Guizonne (Also participated in the Star Academy Tour)
- Maud Verdeyen (Also participated in the Star Academy Tour)
- Pierre Frischeteau (Also participated in the Star Academy Tour)
- Arno Demessine(Also participated in the Star Academy Tour)
- Grégoire Bourdin
- Laure Ruhland
- Jill Vandermeulen
- Chloé Boucaud
- Mickael Tabury
- Moïse Quaresma
- Nassim & Neissa Parize (twins)
Season 5 was notable for the return of some familiar faces - season 1 and 2 directrice Alexia Laroche-Joubert returned in the same role, after which the role was filled in season 3 by Nathalie Andre, and in season 4 by Gerard Louvin. Also back was Raphaelle Ricci as prof of scenic expression.
Despite an expanded age limit on participants, there was only one noticeably participant - Jérémy Amelin (18). His popularity grew over the series and he eventually reached the finale where he faced, and lost to, Magalie Vaé.
Among the female contestants the early favourite was Emilie, a violinist who originated from the island of Reunion. However, her popularity with the jury was seemingly not shared by the public. In the female semi final she and fellow student Ely were voted out in favour of Magalie, who had attracted much attention in France because, unlike previous Star Academy participants, she was overweight.
In the end, Magalie triumphed on 16.12.2005 and became the fifth Star Academy winner in France. Magalie sold the least CDs by a series winner compared to previous winners Jenifer and Nolwenn. This raises the question of whether the judging should be 100% in the hands of the voting public.
Season 6
- Cyril CinéluCyril CinéluCyril Cinélu, born 23 January 1987 in Lagny-sur-Marne, is a Francophone singer originally from Martinique who won the sixth season of Star Academy on 22 December 2006.- Biography :...
(Winner, also part of the tour) - Dominique FidanzaDominique FidanzaDominique Fidanza, is a half Belgian and half Italian singer . She won the Italian version of the reality television singing competition Popstars and was a member of Italian band Lollipop...
(Finalist, also part of the tour) - Marina (semi-finalist, versus Dominique, also part of the tour)
- Cynthia BrownCynthia Brown (singer)Cynthia Brown is a french singer with indian origins, who participated in the French reality television show Star Academy France on TF1 including in the semi-final.- Biography :...
(semi-finalist, versus Cyril, also part of the tour) - Ludovic (part of the tour)
- Jean-Charles (part of the tour)
- Brice (part of the tour)
- Gaël
- Elfy
- Nicolas
- David
- Bastien
- Judith
- Faustine
- Céline
- Eloisha
- Fafa
- Laurent
All of last year's profs returned this year including directrice Alexia Laroche-Joubert and dance teacher Kamel Ouali, the latter kept French fans guessing regarding his participation up to the last minute, as he remained involved in the popular musical Le Roi Soleil. Nikos Aliagas continued to present the daily updates and weekly "Prime" on Fridays.
The focus for this season was expected to shift from traditional songs to the "nouvelle chanson francaise" style made popular by singers like Benabar, Benjamin Biolay and former Star Ac 1 contestant Olivia Ruiz. Contestants Marina and Jean-Charles reflected this new musical style and Marina, in particular, was allowed to sing her own compositions on the "Prime".
Gael, whose musical style resembled that of the Gipsy Kings, eventually quit on 13 November, allegedly in relation to the refusal of the producers to allow him to record with the Gipsy Kings, whom his musical style clearly owed an allegiance to.
There was also controversy over remarks made by Raphaelle Ricci following the eviction of fan favourite Nicolas Charvillat, suggesting that her fellow "profs" had decided to evict him before he even sang a note.
Eventual finalist Dominique had already tasted success in Italy as a member of "Popstars" winners Lollipop.
In the end Cyril, the first black person to win Star Academy or any singing contest in France, triumphed by 67% of the vote over Dominique (33%) on 22 December to became the sixth Star Academy winner in France.
This year was unusual as only seven students went on the tour: Cyril, Dominique, Cynthia, Jean-Charles, Brice, Marina, and Ludovic.
Season 7
Contestants include- Quentin MosimannQuentin MosimannQuentin Mosimann is a Swiss singer, winner of the seventh season of the TV reality show Star Academy France. His first solo album, Duel, is composed of cover versions of 1980s hits...
(winner) (will also participate in the Tour) - Mathieu (finalist) (will also participate in the Tour)
- Claire-Marie (semi-finalist) (will also participate in the Tour)
- Bertrand (semi-finalist) (will also participate in the Tour)
- Jéremy (will also participate in the Tour)
- Lucie (will also participate in the Tour)
- Pierre
- Alexia
- Sevan
- Maureen
- Antoine
- Eva
- Claudia
- Noémie
- Dojima
- Yaëlle
- Alexandra
Maureen, the favorite, walked after 7 weeks. Mathieu had been nominated 8 times over Star Academy 7, but each time was favored by the public to continue. Until finally, improving his show greatly, ending up in the final where Quentin, the favorite of most spectators with 0 nominations, won by the close margin of 52.6% to 47.4% for Mathieu.
Season 8
The eighth season debuted on Friday September 19, 2008.- The students are no longer in the chateau, but in a private hotel in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, located at 12 rue Charlot (48.8615°N 2.3612°W)
The contestants in season 8 are:
Top 2 (the finale aired on 19/12/08) -
- Mickels RéaMickels RéaMickels Rea, born 28 June 1983 in Charleville-Mezieres, is a French singer-songwriter, best known as the winner of France's Star Academy 8.- Biography :...
(winner) - Alice (runner-up)
Eliminated (in order of elimination) -
- Laure Cappellini (eliminated on 26/09/08)
- Gaëtan (eliminated on 3/10/08)
- Ana Palomo-Diaz (eliminated on 10/10/08)
- Julia Jean-Baptiste (eliminated on 17/10/08)
- Harold Haven (eliminated on 24/10/08)
- Yvane Beharry (voluntarily withdrew on 31/10/08)
- Marilyne Lecomte (eliminated on 7/11/08)
- Quentin LeMonnier (eliminated on 14/11/08)
- Anissa Stili (eliminated on 21/11/08 - double elimination)
- Édouard Privat (eliminated on 21/11/08 - double elimination)
- Solène Le Pierres (eliminated on 28/11/08 - quarter-finalist)
- Joanna Lagrave (eliminated on 05/12/08 - semi-finalist)
- Gautier Riese (eliminated on 12/12/08 - semi-finalist)
Alice has been nominated the most times, with five; but was saved by the public each time, with an overwhelming majority above two other nominees. The series also saw a decline in the ratings, as in the premiere week, it has received 5.5 million viewers with 29.6% share (mainly from their competition, NCIS
NCIS (TV series)
NCIS, formerly known as NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is an American police procedural drama television series revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts criminal investigations involving the U.S...
on M6). This was considerably down from the previous series' 7.1 million viewers (30.7% share).