Marc-André Fortin was 24 years old when he was at the Academy. Now 43 years old, the artist from Lac-Saint-Jean is part of the show December from Quebec Issime, a happy band with whom he has collaborated for 25 years. He started the song Christmas in Paris just in time for the Holidays and will release another one during the winter, in connection with the 20th anniversary of his time at Star Academy. He also mentions the release of an EP in the fall of 2025.
The most beautiful memory of your time at Star Academy?
«They are all beautiful! It was so intense and magical at the same time. I would say the meeting with Isabelle Boulay, because I have always been a big fan of hers. Towards the end of the adventure, meeting him was a special moment. We were around the piano with her in complete simplicity. Annie Blanchard and I were crying. It was a great privilege. When I sang At the end of our sorrows in a duet with her, it was also a great, great moment for me.”
What did each teacher give you?
“Dan Bigras, the creative teacher, made us cry during every lesson, we ended up letting go and writing without judging ourselves. Denise Filiatrault, our interpretation teacher, was intense (laughs). It was a privilege to work with her and super rewarding. With Joël Legendre in the diction class, we were always close to bursting out laughing, and Denis Bouchard, the director, was very attentive, kind and generous.”
The most valuable advice you received from teachers?
«Listen to our feeling and trust each other. This is advice that kept coming up. Take advantage of the present moment too and stop judging yourself and believing yourself to be an imposter, because you were chosen for a reason.”
-What remains of Star Academy NOW?
“It remains the most beautiful human and artistic experience of my life. I took advantage of it, I am aware of how lucky I was to do that. Twenty years later, I don’t have a very successful career, but that’s okay. I’m still in the landscape and I’m happy with it. Music and the stage are my raw materials.”
What advice(s) would you give to the participants of the 2025 edition?
“Open your eyes and ears wide, and above all, don’t go there hesitantly. Get on board 100%, enjoy and take everything we’re going to give you, it’s intense and it’s precious!”
