At 18, Jenifer gained fame by winning the first season of *Star Academy*, leading to her debut album. In a BFMTV interview, she reflected on her artistic choices. Now 42, she shared insights about her early career, revealing her family’s influence on her participation in *Graines de star* at 14. Although she felt out of place during her performances, these experiences shaped her journey in the music industry.
Jenifer’s Rise to Fame at 18
At the tender age of 18, Jenifer captured the hearts of the audience by participating in the inaugural season of *Star Academy*. Her exceptional performances coupled with her genuine charisma propelled her to victory in the competition. Following her triumph, she swiftly launched her career with the release of her debut album, *Jenifer*. In an interview with BFMTV, she shared, *’I knew what I didn’t want, fundamentally, and then I read texts, and I saw if I could sing them or not. And I kept the ones that made me feel things, emotions.’*
Reflections on Her Early Television Experiences
In preparation for her new album *Jukebox*, which features reinterpretations of her greatest hits, the 42-year-old artist opened up in an interview with Radio France, discussing her relationship with her appearance and sharing personal insights. On January 4, 2025, during her appearance on *Quelle époque!*, hosted by Léa Salamé on France 2, she candidly reflected on her early television career, particularly her involvement in a popular talent show aired in the late 1990s.
Interestingly, Jenifer’s entry into the limelight was not a personal decision. At just 14, she participated in *Graines de star* on M6, but she admits that it was not her choice to audition. *’No, but I didn’t provoke this casting. I really didn’t sign up for this casting willingly,’* she revealed. Her family played a crucial role in pushing her towards this opportunity. *’It’s my entourage, actually! Because music really grounded me. And it was my mother, my aunt, my uncle, everyone who got involved in my life at that moment, and they did well to do so because I was a bit of a tomboy and I had done a few silly things,’* she explained.
During her time on the show, she performed *Dieu m’a donné la foi* by Ophélie Winter, but she felt out of place. *’I love Ophélie Winter, but I didn’t want to sing that song […] But at the same time, I didn’t really know what else to propose. I let myself be a little guided, and it was an experience,’* she noted. Looking back, she admitted to feeling uncomfortable during her performance. *’I’m uncomfortable, I was uncomfortable actually. I was uncomfortable in my clothes, in my journey,’* she confessed. This experience, while pivotal in her career, was also marked by a sense of awkwardness and uncertainty for the young artist she was back then.