Ilyesse will be on the “Koh-Lanta” posts this Tuesday evening for the grand final broadcast from 9:10 p.m. on TF1. Jacques bowed out at the end of the orientation test. Whatever the outcome of the final show, they will remain among the most notable candidates of this season entitled “The Cursed Tribe”. Between the practicing Muslim and the fanciful gay, a solid friendship was formed over the course of his ordeals. A complicity that it was possible to see throughout the episodes and which contrasts with the divisive discourses easily spread on our screens. A breath of optimism about which the two men agreed to speak during a joint interview for 20 Minutes.
What was the very first impression you had of each other?
Jacques : I saw a super crazy guy, dynamic, smiling, full of energy. I told myself that I was going to get along really well with him.
Ilyesse : I was struck by his smile. He just smiled. We were on the boat together but we weren't able to talk directly at that time. When I returned from the cursed island, to have my first duel, it was Jacques who seemed the most sympathetic towards me. He smiled at me and motivated me: “Go ahead, you’re going to join us!” »
J. : During the very first test, before he went to the cursed island, I was at the bottom of the sack because I saw him lost, and I had tears in my eyes because I already liked him so much.
Was there something about him that immediately inspired you to like?
J. : Exactly. When I saw Ilyesse, I knew I was going to get along with him. When he talks about my smile, it’s true that it’s something communicative. When you're in front of someone who smiles, it means everything to me.
Your paths are very different, but you have in common that you each faced adversity in your own way in the adventure. Did this bring you closer together more or less consciously?
J. : I told everyone that I was afraid of everything. And despite this, I managed to overcome challenges. I was ready to learn and be guided. I think Ilyesse saw that in me, that he saw that I was surpassing myself.
I. : That's exactly it. And more than that, I found in Jacques real support for the difficulties of life on “Koh Lanta”, the lack of food, strategies, etc. I have always found him a huge support. He was constantly there to watch over me and motivate me.
J. : Ilyesse always had the right words too. When we lost, he knew how to motivate us. He was always full of energy. He never had an ounce of negativity, it's something that feels good. It's incredible, with Ilyesse, things always go well.
Ilyesse, you paid tribute to Jacques sur X by calling him a “brother in arms” and writing “Your journey is an example, and you can be so proud of yourself”. Was it important for you to get this message across publicly?
I. : I like to express myself on networks, share my daily life, say what I think and own it. With Jacques, we established a real and sincere friendship and I had to express myself on this.
Jacques, you were already very active on social networks before “Koh-Lanta”. Did you give him any advice?
J. : No. But I told him during the adventure that it was important to be connected and that he had every interest in being so given his background, his intelligence and how brilliant he was. It was certain that the public would love it. I see that he lends himself to the game and it's great. People like him, want to see him, ask him questions. And it's true that the tribute he paid to me touched me because we come from two totally different worlds, almost everything opposes us and, ultimately, we realize that with a little openness spirit, respect and intelligence, we can all live together.
In a previous post, Ilyesse said that you woke him up every morning so that he could say his prayers. Was it important for you, Jacques, to make this gesture?
J. : I was always the first to wake up. Ilyesse is a big sleeper (they both burst out laughing), so when I offered to wake him up before sunrise, he said that would be great. So I was super proud to wake him up to do what he had to do.
I. : He didn't miss a single night, even the council nights.
You both scored this season. What is the public feedback on social networks? Do you have haters who ruin your life?
J. : Absolutely no one ruins my life because I have always faced people's hatred. Obviously, I pay the price, I endure insulting comments, but, as a general rule, I have a lot of support, whether in the comments, in private messages or in real life. Out of 1,000 comments received, I have 100 that are bad and 900 that are good. It's part of the game. There will always be poorly educated people.
I. : At first, I received criticism due to my origin or my religion. I was also well beaten given my career (he laughs). But after that, there were only positives. Even people who are quite racist-minded have ended up keeping quiet.
You said you come from two different worlds. Are you aware of reflecting this France which is in the reciprocal acceptance of each person's identity and which we ultimately talk little about?
I. : Totally. We remain human beings. We each have our feelings, our beliefs. But from the moment we respect each other, where we are not there wanting to harm ourselves and hurt others, where we provide each other with support, I think that we can all live together, in the most beautiful possible harmony.
J. : And what a beautiful message, frankly! What a beautiful message of hope and love because we see how hard times are. It doesn't matter who we are or where we come from. With just a little open-mindedness and intelligence, we can all live together, while having different ways of living and thinking.
This Tuesday, it's the final live… Are you ready for the reunion?
I. : I’m super excited to see Jacques again. We haven't seen each other since the preview which preceded the launch of the season.
J. : I, too, am in a big hurry.
I. : And the other adventurers, of course. We're going to party.
J. : We are all linked to this adventure. There are people who got along very well and will be delighted to see each other again and those who had a little difficulty getting along should be equally happy despite everything. Finally, I speak for myself, I am delighted to see everyone again.
I. : Same for me!
Would you like to add anything?
I. : I would like to say that, during the adventure, I was extremely close to Thibault, Jacques and the girls of the ex-yellow team. But the person I felt was the most sincere with me was Jacques. I mean it from the bottom of my heart. I knew he was going to be my most loyal ally.
J. : It’s true that a beautiful friendship was born between us. We trusted each other. Every day, he told me that I was the best and I told him that I was happy to live this adventure with him. Frédéric gave me a lot of confidence, but it’s true that Ilyesse was a real revelation.
