Star Academy’s 2024-2025 season showcased thrilling competition among 15 contestants, culminating in Marine’s victory over Ebony in a record-breaking finale. Unlike last year’s winner, Pierre Garnier, Marine achieved a higher voting percentage and had a single released before the finale. Both expressed admiration for each other’s journeys, with Pierre reflecting positively on the competition’s transition and Marine aspiring to replicate his success while acknowledging their distinct paths in the music industry.
Star Academy 2024-2025: A Season Full of Surprises
The latest season of Star Academy, spanning 2024-2025, has been nothing short of exhilarating. The first Prime aired on TF1 on October 12, 2024, introducing audiences to the 15 talented contestants vying for stardom. As the weeks progressed, the competition intensified, leading to weekly eliminations. By November 30, 2024, the excitement reached a peak when eight students—Ebony, Marguerite, Franck, Maureen, Charles, Maïa, Marine, and Ulysse—secured their spots for the upcoming tour.
On December 21, a surprising twist unfolded as Emma was granted the opportunity to join the tour that will kick off on February 21, instead of facing elimination. The semi-finals, which featured Marine competing against Charles and Ebony facing off against Franck, sparked lively discussions across social media platforms. The grand finale, showcasing a showdown between Ebony and Marine, drew in “record audience” numbers, as reported by TF1. Ultimately, on January 25, 2025, Marine emerged victorious, earning the chance to release her first album—a win that notably contrasts with Pierre Garnier’s triumph from the previous year.
Highlighting the Differences: Marine vs. Pierre Garnier
On February 3, 2024, Pierre Garnier was celebrated as the winner of Star Academy, nearly a year before Marine’s victory. Despite both contestants experiencing the same journey, significant differences marked their victories. Firstly, the voting percentages were notably distinct; Marine garnered an impressive 65% of the votes, while Ebony secured 35%. In contrast, Pierre received 55.6% of the votes, edging out Julien Lieb who received 44.4%, making his final much closer than Marine’s.
Another key distinction lies in their musical releases. Marine’s single, “Ma faute,” was available on streaming platforms prior to the finale, whereas Pierre’s song, “Ceux qu’on était,” had not been widely heard. His performance was introduced by Dadju, who interrupted his own song to give Pierre the stage. Social media popularity has also played a role in their journeys; just days after his victory, Pierre had over a million followers, surpassing Jenifer. Marine, however, has amassed 470,000 subscribers, indicating a different fan engagement trajectory.
Pierre Garnier’s Reflections on Marine’s Success
Pierre Garnier took to the show’s Instagram account to share his thoughts about the recent finale. He praised the contestants for their remarkable performances, stating, “Bravo, bravo because they put on an incredible show tonight. I am very happy to have participated in this a little. It’s a page that turns.” He embraced the transition, acknowledging, “It’s good, I am no longer the winner of the Star Academy, it’s Marine now.”
Marine, on her part, expressed her admiration for Pierre in an interview with Gala magazine. She described it as “an honor” to follow in his footsteps, adding, “I hope to be able to follow in his footsteps because his career is really incredible. After, it’s not really pressure because we are different. I just want to do as well as he did.” This sentiment encapsulates the spirit of competition and camaraderie that defines Star Academy.