This Christmas, ‘Star Academy’ contestants performed for their families at the Château de Dammarie-les-Lys. With Ebony and Charles enjoying immunity, Franck, Marguerite, Marine, and Ulysse showcased their talents in a challenging audition. Franck impressed with ‘Back to Black,’ while Marguerite’s interpretation of ‘Le Paradis Blanc’ sparked mixed reviews. Marine overcame a sore throat for ‘Le bleu lumière,’ and Ulysse delivered a strong rendition of ‘White Flag.’ Ultimately, Marguerite faced audience voting again, alongside Ulysse, amid rising competition.
A Memorable Christmas for ‘Star Academy’ Contestants
This holiday season will be etched in the memories of ‘Star Academy’ contestants forever. Earlier this week, the six remaining students were thrilled to welcome their families to the Château de Dammarie-les-Lys, where they faced the most challenging auditions yet, all while their loved ones looked on. Ebony and Charles enjoyed immunity after their recent victories, leaving Franck, Marguerite, Marine, and Ulysse to fight for their spots by performing a song of their choice alongside a children’s choreography to ‘As You Are’ by Harry Styles. Come Saturday night, two of these talented individuals will face the viewers’ vote. Here’s a closer look at their performances.
Performance Highlights from the Contestants
Franck on ‘Back to Black’
Having been nominated alongside Marguerite last week, Franck was relieved to receive an extra week at the Château, allowing him to focus on his performance. Under the watchful eyes of his mother and sister, he delivered an impressive rendition of ‘Back to Black’ by Amy Winehouse, showcasing his rich, velvety voice. Marlène Schaff, the stage expression teacher, praised his connection to the song’s lyrics and narrative but noted a slight issue with his English accent. Singing teacher Sofia Morgavi remarked, ‘His voice, body, and spirit were all in sync.’
Marguerite on ‘Le Paradis Blanc’
Understanding her vocal limitations, Marguerite leaned on her interpretative skills to perform the classic ‘Le Paradis Blanc’ by Michel Berger. Sofia was excited by her performance, stating, ‘We witnessed the birth of Marguerite’s temple.’ However, Michael Goldman expressed his boredom despite the effective staging, feeling that Marguerite’s storytelling fell short towards the end. Marlène echoed this sentiment, acknowledging her efforts but noting a disconnect in the narrative.
Marine on ‘Le bleu lumière’
Marine, the aspiring dentist from Lille, battled a sore throat but still delivered a powerful performance of the Moana soundtrack, momentarily masking her discomfort. Marlène felt the energy was lacking, seeing Marine as a victim of her ‘internal saboteur.’ Theater teacher Hugues Hamelynck offered a more balanced perspective, noting the need for a more adventurous spirit in her performance while likening her charm to that of popular actresses like Virginie Efira and Sophie Marceau.
Ulysse on ‘White Flag’
Choosing Dido’s hit for his performance, Ulysse showcased his raspy voice, much to the delight of his family in the audience. Despite a shaky start, he finished strong, leaving an impact on those watching. Marlène commented on his repetitive hand gestures, attributing them to nerves, while Hugues acknowledged the reassuring quality of his voice, which varied beautifully. Sofia wished for more engagement from him at the beginning, noting that while he has the technique, his full charisma wasn’t fully realized.
After thorough deliberation, Michael Goldman revealed the teachers’ verdict. Marguerite found herself nominated once again, facing the audience’s vote due to her vocal constraints, even amidst her interpretative flair. Ulysse, who has previously been saved by viewers multiple times, will need their support once more as the competition intensifies, with teachers pointing out minor technical flaws that could be critical at this stage.