A new way of choosing Academicians, the presence of comedians, guest artistic directors, the return of international artists, special requests from the public and 24/7 cameras are among the novelties that the production has prepared for this new season of “Star Academy”. Overview of the various changes.
For the first Variety this Sunday, 19 candidates were selected during “The final audition”. Five of them are already guaranteed to enter the Academy and they will have the chance to share the stage with Daniel Bélanger.
The others will have to defend their place in a different way from last year. “We separated them into three groups and we put together medleys of each of their songs, explained Gregory Charles, Thursday afternoon, at a press conference. It will allow us as teachers, but also the public, to hear them one after the other. And as I told them, they are all responsible for the quality of the performances.
Following the medley, teachers will have the opportunity to choose one or more candidates they want to see enter the Academy. The public will be able to save those who have not been designated by the teachers.
A bit of humour
Being in danger is a relatively stressful time for candidates. To relax the atmosphere, the production had the idea of inviting, each week, a comedian who will pay tribute to those who are in the hot seat. Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais will be back, but also Roxane Bruneau, Ariel Charest, Patrick Groulx, PA. Méthot or Dominic Paquet.
Photo Courtesy, Eric Myre
The executive producer of “Star Académie” Jean-Philippe Dion.
Brilliant numbers
After Mika, who had prepared flamboyant numbers last year, three genius creators will have the chance to imagine signature numbers, namely Lydia Bouchard, Serge Denoncourt and Mitsou.
“We give them all the means available and they have carte blanche to create their number, detailed the executive producer of “Star Académie”, Jean-Philippe Dion. Mitsou’s number will be based on his repertoire; Serge Denoncourt has chosen a repertoire that he loves and wants to instil in young people, and for Lydia, it’s going to be a completely different sensory experience. And there will be more to be announced later.”
Big visit
As for the guest artists, the production confirmed the presence of several international stars, such as Alessia Cara, Milky Chance, Julien Clerc, Simple Plan, or even the brilliant Eddy de Pretto.
Public inquiries
At least at the start of the season, the public will not be able to be in the studio because of sanitary measures. But it will however be present through the choice of songs performed by the Academicians thanks to the new segment, “The special request”. People can send a request to surprise someone they know by offering a song of their choice that the Academicians will sing during Variety.
Photo Courtesy, Eric Myre
24/7 cameras
Finally, the public also demanded the return of 24/7 live cameras from the Academy. The experience is even enriched with the presence of cameras on the bus and behind the scenes at Variété. It will therefore be possible to see everything, and to hear everything that happens in the environment of the candidates, during the courses, the evaluations, the meetings with the special guests and even during the rehearsals. 24/7 cameras are offered exclusively to Videotron Mobility and Hélix Télé customers.
The first Variety of “Star Académie” will be broadcast live this Sunday, at 7 p.m., at VAT.