La Zarra seems to have painful memories of his participation in Eurovision. The Quebec singer, who initially made a strong impression by unveiling her hit Obviously to the French, subsequently caused a series of controversies, disrupting the French delegation on several occasions. The day of the competition, which was held in May 2023 in Liverpool (United Kingdom) and which saw Loreen’s second historic victory with her title Tattoo. Above all, it was a real disillusionment for France, since La Zarra and his title Obviously disappointed, ranking only 16th. A showdown, which was also accompanied by yet another controversy, with the semblance of a middle finger displayed proudly in front of hundreds of millions of viewers, and who would in reality be a “toz” as the singer had assured when taken to task.
Many months after his failed participation in Eurovision, The Zarra has fallen into oblivion, and the problems she encountered at Eurovision caused her a lot of damage. Many of her concerts have been canceled due to lack of tickets purchased, and the singer is conspicuous by her absence. But in recent hours, La Zarra has made a notable return to the media, granting an interview in which she claims to have been the victim of racist behavior at Eurovision, and which she blamed on Alexandra Redde-Amiel, head of the French delegation to Eurovision, and entertainment and variety from France 2. Shocking remarks which resonate as revenge for the artist, because they were uttered at the very moment when Alexandra Redde-Amiel promoted to president of the Junior Eurovision 2024 reference group.
“When you’re blonde, you look less Arab”
In her statements, La Zarra states that she was forced to dye her hair blonde by the French delegation, to do “less Arab” and thus look like Marilyn Monroe : “I was a brunette when they came to get me, and I absolutely had to be La Zarra, blonde hair, Marilyn Monroe. So there’s pressure, and at one point I get a call during the night from the head of the delegation who is totally annoyed: Listen Fatima, you don’t understand, if this ever leaks, we have to have photos with blonde hair, so you have to bleach your hair this week, because you’re Arab, and with brown hair, you look too Arab. And when you’re blonde, you look less Arab. And the French don’t like Arabs“ Alexandra Redde-Amiel reportedly declared during a telephone interview. Statements that the French delegation could take to court for “defamation”, but to which it has, for the moment, not wished to react.
Blonde at the NMA 2021, Slimane and Bilal Hassani did not experience the same problems
At the NRJ Music Awards 2021, Zarra also appeared blonde, even though she had not yet been chosen to represent France at Eurovision. Also, Alexandra Redde-Amiel, head of the French delegation to Eurovision, chose Slimane to represent France this year with the title I love you ; four years ago, she also set her sights on Bilal Hassani on King. As for Junior Eurovision, which she also oversees, the boss of France 2 varieties has placed her trust in Enzo and Lissandro, two young boys revealed by The Voice Kids.