Karine Le Marchand hosted the first quarter-final of *France has Incredible Talent*, where the jury faced criticism over their choices, particularly after Sugar Sammy awarded his Golden Buzzer to young Nigerian dancers and Hélène Ségara sent a singer with Tourette syndrome to the semi-finals. Viewer frustrations erupted on social media regarding the advancement of certain acts while others were overlooked. Despite mixed reactions, standout performances, including a magician’s act, generated positive buzz online.
Karine Le Marchand Hosts the Quarter-Final of France’s Got Talent
Last Monday, Karine Le Marchand welcomed the contestants from *Love is in the Meadow* as they concluded the 19th season. This past Wednesday, December 4, she took the reins once again on *M6*, this time for the first quarter-final of the 19th season of the beloved show, *France has Incredible Talent*. After weeks of intense performances, the jury, comprised of *Sugar Sammy*, *Marianne James*, *Éric Antoine*, and *Hélène Ségara*, faced the tough task of selecting the most extraordinary talents to advance to the next stage.
Controversial Choices Spark Viewer Reactions
During the episode, Sugar Sammy was particularly taken by a group of young Nigerian dancers, awarding them his coveted Golden Buzzer. Hélène Ségara also made waves by sending singer Jean-Baptiste, who lives with Tourette syndrome, straight to the semi-finals. This decision sparked criticism, as many viewers felt the jury’s choices were questionable. Marianne James often finds herself under fire for her tendency to favor male contestants, and this episode was no exception.
Fans of *France has Incredible Talent* expressed their frustration over social media, questioning the jury’s selections. They were baffled by the decision to advance *Léa Kral*, *Inverdance*, *Solange*, and *Francœur*, while notable talents like the acrobatic duo and a pole dancer were left behind. Comments such as *“So disappointed they didn’t keep either the fiery acrobat duo or Miss Jean…”* and *“Sick of them keeping artists who do all the franchise shows”* flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
A particular point of contention was the inclusion of singer and harpist Francœur, with critics lamenting that her selection overshadowed other deserving talents. Many voiced their opinions, stating, *“It’s better to sing (badly) a tearful song for your mother than to propose an original pole number with an incredible staging,”* and *“Honestly, singers should be banned from #LFAUIT! Singing is not incredible talent.”* The viewers’ sentiments were clear: they seek more variety and originality from the contestants.
Despite the backlash, Francœur did manage to impress Sugar Sammy, who initially voted against her but later praised her performance. He acknowledged his previous misjudgment, stating, *“I’m glad my colleagues said yes. I love this song you wrote. Bravo, what a performance and what an artist.”* Meanwhile, Solange wowed the audience with her innovative *quick change* act, which earned her a nod of approval from comedian Booder, who was a guest juror for the night. Booder’s playful banter with Éric Antoine added a lighthearted moment to the evening.
Éric Antoine himself had a chance to award a Golden Buzzer, which he presented to magician *Mathieu Stepson*. His enthusiastic response resonated with viewers as he expressed, *“You blew me away, you killed me… for me, I swear you are my Golden Buzzer.”* This moment, along with the evening’s performances, sparked a wave of positive reactions online, ensuring that the excitement and drama of *France has Incredible Talent* continues to captivate audiences.