Champion of the Nagui TV show, this resident of Loire-Atlantique has learned more than 1,000 songs

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He owes his love of words and French songs to his mother who listens to Chérie FM on the radio. The list of artists that Benoît Salmon appreciates is long: Georges Brassens, Zaho de Zahagan, Aznavour, Edith Piaf but also Petula Clark, Balavoine, Renaud, to name just a few. “Like everyone, I started singing in the shower,” says Benoît, a professional photographer from Pont Saint-Martin, south of Nantes.

Beginnings in karaoke evenings

Then, he gets into the game by going to karaoke evenings San Sebastian or by making matches on software. “The French are more modest than the Asians: they prefer karaoke in private” explains the candidate who is causing panic on social networks.

It was in 2023 that Benoît decided to be cast for the show after having dedicated eight months learning 395 texts. “I wasn’t ready, but it allowed me to familiarize myself with the stage,” says the maestro.

More than 1,000 songs and two years of work

Far from being discouraged, he diligently learns more than 1,000 songs. At his side, his mother Virginie encourages him. Methodically, he analyzes the show’s statistics, sorts them by occurrence, then writes them down by hand.

I study the structure and use color codes, especially red for traps.

On the stage, the one who discovers the soul of a competitor follows the advice of other candidates to stay focused: “Anchor yourself in the ground by looking at your feet”. Between two shows, he continues to revise.

“You have to believe in your dreams and give yourself the means,” insists Benoît, €2,000 away from becoming a master, that is to say one of the 32 best on the television show.

He had already tried the television adventure a few years ago. A long road for Benoît whose voice earned him to be selected this year among 71 candidates as part of the 19th edition of Festi’Ammusical association show in Beaupréau. Today, with his memory and his talent, he is making a journey that will remain in the history of this show dedicated to songs.

Friends with several maestros

Friend with several great champions of Don’t forget the words, like Étienne, 17th greatest maestro and semi-finalist of the 2024 Masters, the thirty-year-old with the ponytail could join the ranking of the best maestros.

Will someone who is addicted to video games and dreams of financing an eco-friendly place with animals, a vegetable garden and rooms to accommodate visitors once again dominate his opponents and ring the bell? Will the champion end up dethroning Queen Margaux with winnings of €530,000?

What he likes is the game

Although Benoît is surprised to have a taste for the stage, he does not plan to change careers and pursue a career in music or participate in other musical shows. What he likes about “N’oubli les mots” is the game. On the other hand, he admits “to wanting to write songs”. First, he will take a break by spending the holidays with family in Pont-Saint-Martin.

Because if he lives in La Cornuaille in Maine-et-Loire, Benoît lived in Pont-Saint-Martin until he was 20. He studied in Biarritz for two years, then returned to live in the town until he was 29 (he is 31). From now on, it is to visit his mother and grandmother that he returns to his native land.

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