He doesn’t know where to put his hands or his legs. A sofa is treacherous: it should not be too upright and appear too rigid, nor too slouched and appear casual. Émilien is however used to media coverage, but behind his glasses there is always a great shyness. Even if he tries to erase it, his discomfort is palpable.
This afternoon, he has to do more interviews. Installed in a small office of the production company Endemol, in Aubervilliers (Seine-Saint-Denis), he glances at the press officer who accompanies him when a question bothers him. He willingly talks about his journey on television but what happens outside the small screen remains enigmatic: his studies, his passion for quizzes… He only slips two words about his family. He will not reveal anything else, not even his full surname.
“It’s a little beyond me”
At almost 22 years old, the Vendéen has become the darling of the show The 12 strokes of noon presented by Jean-Luc Reichmann on TF1. And for good reason: he has had a string of victories since September 25, 2023, thus becoming the greatest champion in the history of French televised games. Geography, cinema, sport, politics… His knowledge seems inexhaustible. He became an icon, an example, a terror for his competitors. After more than a year and a half of successive victories, viewers are even saying “weary” of the program which “would lose interest”.
On December 9, he celebrated his 439e participation, an absolute record in the show. His winnings amount to €1,760,629, something never seen before on television. A new life as a millionaire to which he cannot get used. “It’s crazy, it’s a little beyond me,” he admits. Among his winnings, countless gifts, including around fifteen cars. “I don’t know what to do with all this, I please those around me or I sell”he smiles….“grows up…
