Star Academy is a French reality singing competition produced by Endemol France. Forming part of the Star Academy franchise, it has been broadcast on TF1 (2001–2008 and since 2022) and NRJ 12 (2012–2013). During the competition, the contestants stay in the Dammarie-lès-Lys's Vives-Eaux castle. At the end of each season, selected contestants go on tour around France, Belgium, Morocco, Switzerland, Tunisia, and other French-speaking countries.
The reality show is hosted by Nikos Aliagas and has featured guest stars such as Mariah Carey, Madonna, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Katseye, Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion, The Corrs, Texas, Simple Plan, Moby, Tina Arena, Nelly Furtado, Tokio Hotel, Anastacia, Alicia Keys, Craig David, 50 Cent, will.i.am, Destiny's Child, James Blunt, Sean Combs, Sting, David Guetta, Lenny Kravitz, Janet Jackson, Liza Minnelli, Phil Collins, Laura Pausini, Kylie Minogue, Tina Turner, Andrea Bocelli, Charles Aznavour, Hélène Ségara, Lorie, Lara Fabian, Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Alizée, Johnny Hallyday, Paul Anka, Lionel Richie, Alanis Morissette, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Bee Gees, and Ricky Martin. It spawned an equally successful show in Canada called Star Académie.
History The first eight seasons were broadcast on TF1 from to .
The prime time shows and daily broadcasts were hosted by Nikos Aliagas. Special episodes (tours, anniversaries, best moments) were also aired, generally between each season.
The program's broadcast on this channel ended after its eighth edition, which concluded on .
Seasons The contestants are classed in order.
Season 1 Jenifer Bartoli (winner) – participated in the Star Academy Tour, released debut album Jenifer and follow-up Le Passage. Also released live CD & DVD Jenifer fait son live. Mario Barravecchia (finalist) – participated in the Star Academy Tour Jean-Pascal Lacoste (semi-finalist) – participated in the Star Academy Tour Carine Haddadou (semi-finalist) Olivia Ruiz (semi-finalist) – participated in the Star Academy Tour, released debut album J'aime pas l'amour in 2003 and follow-up album La Femme Chocolat in 2005. Jessica Marquez – participated in the Star Academy Tour Patrice Maktav – participated in the Star Academy Tour Djalil Amine – participated in the Star Academy Tour François Roure – participated in the Star Academy Tour Cécile Boutry Sidonie Koch Grégory Gulli – participated in the Star Academy Tour Stéphane Bosmans Amandine Bisqueret Khalifa M'Baye Catherine
Season 2 Nolwenn Leroy (winner) – participated in the Star Academy Tour, released debut album Nolwenn and follow-up Histoires Naturelles. Also released live CD & DVD Histoires Naturelles Tour. Houcine Camara (finalist) – participated in the Star Academy Tour Emma Daumas (semi-finalist) – participated in the Star Academy Tour Georges-Alain Jones – (semi-finalist) participated in the Star Academy Tour Aurélie Konaté – participated in the Star Academy Tour Jérémy Chatelain – participated in the Star Academy Tour Anne-Laure Sibon – participated in the Star Academy Tour Fabien Fasake – participated in the Star Academy Tour Alexandre Balduzzi – participated in the Star Academy Tour Isabelle Lem Eva Chemouni Rudy Carvalho Philip Miro Nazim Florence Stéphanie Hansen
Season 2 of Star Academy launched some singers with successful solo careers – winner Nolwenn but also Emma, who reinvented herself as France's answer to Avril Lavigne; singer, songwriter and producer Jérémy Chatelain who married Alizée; singer-songwriter Georges-Alain Jones; Aurelie Konate who appeared in the comedie-musicale Belles belles belles based on the music of Claude François.
Season 3 Élodie Frégé (winner) – participated in the Star Academy Tour and released debut CD Elodie Frégé early in 2004 and 3 others in 2006, 2007 and 2010. Michal (finalist) – participated in the Star Academy Tour Sofia Essaïdi (semi-finalist) – participated in the Star Academy Tour and released debut CD Mon cabaret in 2005. Patxi Garat (semi-finalist) – participated in the Star Academy Tour Morganne Matis – participated in the Star Academy Tour and released debut cd Une fille De L'ere in 2006 Lukas Delcourt – participated in the Star Academy Tour – appeared in French drama series Sous le soleil. Pierre Bouley – participated in the Star Academy Tour and member of Premix. Romain Billard – participated in the Star Academy Tour and member of Premix Amina El Bennouni Stéphanie Dalmasso – appeared in French series Père et Maire. Edouard Algayon – participated in the Star Academy Tour (as guitarist), formed the trio Premix with Pierre and Romain, released CD Chambre 1512 which included single "Oui ou Non". Premix split amicably in late 2005. Anne Thibault Valérie Deniz De Boccard Marjorie Condoris Michaël Sapience Icaro Da Silva
After the highly successful season 2, much was expected of season 3 and the favourites were named at the beginning: Sofia and Michal. As it turned out, both of them made their respective male/female semi finals, joined by Elodie and Patxi respectively. Elodie ended up making it to the finals, where she beat Polish contestant Michal and become the winner of Star Academy 3.
Michal will return to the music scene in France in 2007 with his second album All Alone with my Gueule. Sofia ended up releasing her own album Mon cabaret in 2005.
Season 4 Grégory Lemarchal (winner) – participated in the Star Academy Tour Lucie Bernardoni (finalist) – participated in the Star Academy Tour Hoda Nekra (semi-finalist) – participated in the Star Academy Tour Mathieu Johann (semi-finalist) – participated in the Star Academy Tour Sofiane Tadjine-Lambert- participated in the Star Academy Tour Sandy François – participated in the Star Academy Tour John Eyzen – participated in the Star Academy Tour – came to play the role of Mercutio in the Asia Tour of Roméo et Juliette, de la Haine à l'Amour Francesca Antoniotti Harlem Parmentier – participated in the Star Academy Tour Enrique Toyos Radia Bensarsa – participated in the Star Academy Tour Morgan Auger Tina Gardinier Karima Charni Sebastien Degut Emilie Ducrot Gauthier Roubichou Lennie
Season 4 winner Grégory Lemarchal became the first male winner of Star Academy in France. He released his debut single "Écris l'histoire" and debut album Je deviens moi in France in 2005. Grégory also enjoyed success in 2006 with "Même si", a bilingual duet with Lucie Silvas of her song "What You're Made Of".
On 30 April 2007, Grégory Lemarchal died of complications due to cystic fibrosis while waiting for a lung transplant.
Season 5 Magalie Vaé (Winner – Also participated in the Star Academy Tour) Jérémy Amelin (Finalist – Also participated in the Star Academy Tour) Pascal Maunoury (Semi-finalist – Also participated in the Star Academy Tour) Ely Breton (Semi-finalist – Also participated in the Star Academy Tour) Emilie Minatchy (Semi-finalist – Also participated in the Star Academy Tour) Alexia Palombo (Also participated in the Star Academy Tour) Jean-Luc Guizonne (Also participated in the Star Academy Tour) Maud Verdeyen (Also participated in the Star Academy Tour) Pierre Frischeteau (Also participated in the Star Academy Tour) Arno Demessine(Also participated in the Star Academy Tour) Grégoire Bourdin Laure Ruhland Jill Vandermeulen Chloé Boucaud Mickael Tabury Moïse Quaresma Nassim & Neissa Parize
Season 5 was notable for the return of some familiar faces – season 1 and 2 directrice Alexia Laroche-Joubert returned in the same role, after which the role was filled in season 3 by Nathalie Andre, and in season 4 by Gerard Louvin. Also back was Raphaelle Ricci as prof of scenic expression.
Despite an expanded age limit on participants, there was only one noticeably participant – Jérémy Amelin (18). His popularity grew over the series and he eventually reached the finale where he faced, and lost to, Magalie Vaé.
Among the female contestants the early favourite was Emilie, a violinist who originated from the island of Reunion. However, her popularity with the jury was seemingly not shared by the public. In the female semi-final she and fellow student Ely were voted out in favour of Magalie, who had attracted much attention in France because, unlike previous Star Academy participants, she was overweight.
In the end, Magalie triumphed on 16 December 2005 and became the fifth Star Academy winner in France. Magalie sold the least CDs by a series winner compared to previous winners Jenifer and Nolwenn. This raises the question of whether the judging should be 100% in the hands of the voting public.
Season 6
Cyril Cinélu (Winner-Final week 16) Dominique Fidanza (Second place-Final week 16) Marina (Eliminated week 15 semi-final) Cynthia Brown (Eliminated week 15 semi-final) Ludovic (Eliminated week 14) Jean-Charles (Eliminated week 13) Brice (Eliminated week 12) Gaël (Eliminated week 11) Elfy (Eliminated week 10) Nicolas (Eliminated week 9) David (Eliminated week 8) Bastien (Eliminated week 7) Judith (Eliminated week 6) Faustine (Eliminated week 5) Céline (Eliminated week 4) Eloisha (Eliminated week 3 Fafa (Eliminated week 2) Laurent (Eliminated week 1)
All of last year's profs returned this year including directrice Alexia Laroche-Joubert and dance teacher Kamel Ouali, the latter kept French fans guessing regarding his participation up to the last minute, as he remained involved in the popular musical Le Roi Soleil. Nikos Aliagas continued to present the daily updates and weekly "Prime" on Fridays.
The focus for this season was expected to shift from traditional songs to the "nouvelle chanson francaise" style made popular by singers like Benabar, Benjamin Biolay and former Star Ac 1 contestant Olivia Ruiz. Contestants Marina and Jean-Charles reflected this new musical style and Marina, in particular, was allowed to sing her own compositions on the "Prime".
Gael, whose musical style resembled that of the Gipsy Kings, eventually quit on 13 November, allegedly in relation to the refusal of the producers to allow him to record with the Gipsy Kings, whom his musical style clearly owed an allegiance to. There was also controversy over remarks made by Raphaelle Ricci following the eviction of fan favourite Nicolas Charvillat, suggesting that her fellow "profs" had decided to evict him before he even sang a note.
In the end Cyril, the first black person to win Star Academy or any singing contest in France, triumphed by 67% of the vote over Dominique (33%) on 22 December to become the sixth Star Academy winner in France.
This year was unusual as only seven students went on the tour: Cyril, Dominique, Cynthia, Jean-Charles, Brice, Marina, and Ludovic.
Season 7 Contestants include Quentin Mosimann (winner) (will also participate in the Tour) Mathieu (finalist) (will also participate in the Tour) Claire-Marie (semi-finalist) (will also participate in the Tour) Bertrand (semi-finalist) (will also participate in the Tour) Jéremy (will also participate in the Tour) Lucie (will also participate in the Tour) Pierre Alexia Sevan Maureen Antoine Eva Claudia Noémie Dojima Yaëlle Alexandra
Maureen, the favorite, walked after 7 weeks. Mathieu had been nominated 8 times over Star Academy 7, but each time was favored by the public to continue. Until finally, improving his show greatly, ending up in the final where Quentin, the favorite of most spectators with 0 nominations, won by the close margin of 52.6% to 47.4% for Mathieu.
Season 8 The eighth season debuted on 19 September 2008.
The students are no longer in the chateau, but in a private hotel in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, located at 12 rue Charlot ()
The contestants in season 8 are:
Top 2 (the finale aired on 19/12/08) –
Mickels Réa (winner) Alice Raucoules (runner-up)
Eliminated (in order of elimination) –
Laure Cappellini (eliminated on 26/09/08) Gaëtan (eliminated on 3/10/08)