Star Academy Season 12 concluded on January 25, 2025, with a memorable all-female finale featuring Marine and Ebony. The event showcased powerful performances, including emotional renditions from both finalists and renowned guest artists. Despite Marine’s victory, which garnered 65% of the votes, the audience’s perceived bias sparked significant online debate. Observers noted the uneven support between the finalists, raising concerns about audience management for future seasons.
Star Academy Season 12: An Unforgettable Finale
The twelfth season of Star Academy wrapped up on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in a groundbreaking finale that featured a 100% female showdown. The competition saw Marine, a 24-year-old dental surgery student from the North, square off against Ebony, a 20-year-old head waitress from Île-de-France. This memorable evening was filled with emotional performances, significant announcements, and an atmosphere that stirred up passionate discussions. After fifteen intense weeks of honing their skills at the Dammarie-les-Lys castle, the stakes for the two finalists were incredibly high, with the winner set to receive a contract with Sony Music and a cash prize of 100,000 euros.
Performance Highlights and Audience Reactions
The finalists shared the spotlight with celebrated artists, including Clara Luciani, the season’s godmother, Matt Pokora, Pierre Garnier, Sofia Essaïdi, Damiano David from Maneskin, and Amel Bent. Their performances included powerful duets and solo acts, featuring demanding songs such as “Never Enough” by Loren Allred and “All I Ask” by Adele. A particularly poignant moment occurred during Marine’s heartfelt rendition of “À corps perdu” by Grégory Lemarchal, captivating the audience.
However, the night was not without its controversies. The atmosphere among the audience led to heated debates online, as many felt there was a clear bias towards Marine. Social media lit up with comments expressing shock at the crowd’s dynamics, with one user stating, “What is this SHITTY audience??? Like, a minimum of respect?” Another tweeter praised Ebony’s strength in the face of such overwhelming support for her opponent, remarking on the mental fortitude it took to perform under those conditions. The calls for a more balanced audience echoed loudly, with users questioning why the support wasn’t more evenly distributed.
The disparity was also visible during the duplex segments with the candidates’ support groups. Marine’s fans rallied in larger numbers in Arras, while Ebony’s supporters were noticeably fewer on Île Saint-Denis. This stark contrast didn’t go unnoticed, with viewers expressing empathy for Ebony. Others condemned the harsh attitudes of the audience, highlighting the need for respect and appreciation for both contestants’ talents.
In the end, Marine emerged victorious, garnering 65% of the votes and succeeding Pierre Garnier. According to data shared on social media, this achievement places her in the top three of Star Academy finalists, following Cyril Cinélu and Grégory Lemarchal. Fans of Marine celebrated her win enthusiastically, with many predicting a bright future for her career. However, the circumstances surrounding the finale left some viewers feeling discontented, prompting conversations about the need for improvement in the organization of future seasons, particularly in audience management.