Vaudoise Julie joins the Star Academy: “My mother registered me in secret”

“Star Academy” returns for a new season this Saturday October 12 on TF1. The production has already announced several pieces of information in recent weeks, including the participation of a Swiss woman. This is Julie, who comes to us from Carrouge (VD). The 19-year-old Romande has just finished high school with a maturity in Italian and has decided to take a sabbatical. “I said to myself: Come on, I’ll give it a go. And the timing is perfect,” she tells us over the phone.

The future academician considers herself a positive person. “I always try to see the bright side of things, even when situations are not ideal. I always ask myself what I can learn from each experience to make something beneficial out of it. On the other hand, I’m not a morning person,” she explains.

Julie likes to laugh on the phone and her energy is infectious. She says she has been immersed in music since she was little thanks to her mother, to whom she is very close. La Romande likes all genres, but particularly appreciates Céline Dion. She also admires the texts of Camille Lellouche and the voice of Lara Fabian. Three singers who will perhaps come to visit him at the castle.

Do you realize the premiere of “Star Academy” is this Saturday?

Not really. For now, it’s mostly excitement. I’m going to be on set soon, and that’s nice.

How did your registration go?

I was watching “Star Academy” 2023 with my mom when they announced auditions were open. My mom told me she could see me there. I wasn’t sure, I told myself that there would be so many people and that I wasn’t legitimate to register.

My mother registered me secretly. (Laughs.) Even though I was really tempted, I thought I would never get an answer. At the end of February, she informed me that they had called to create a file. It was perfect because at that point I had decided to sign up myself. Luckily, mom thought about it first.

So there were several castings to go through?

There were auditions that were done by video, then I had to go to Paris for three additional auditions.

How were you informed that you were one of the finalists?

It was a bit special. They first called me on a Friday evening to tell me that I was a replacement and that if a candidate withdrew, I would take her place. I was asked to come to Paris the following week and the casting director and the producer told me that I would finally join the castle. I was overwhelmed, I cried with joy and I immediately called my mother to tell her: “Mom, we’re going to make the castle!”

What do you hope for by participating in “Star Academy”?

My goal is to see how far I can go, to surpass myself and discover my limits. I’ve already started to learn a lot through rehearsals, even before arriving at the castle, which is incredible. I also hope to make lifelong friends and continue to surpass myself every day.

First of all, I don’t want to be eliminated during the first bonus. (Laughs.) Then, it’s clear that the tour is an important goal for me. If I get to go on the tour, I will truly consider my “Star Ac” experience a success. And if I win, it will just be a bonus.

How did you become interested in music?

This is thanks to my mother, who sings and plays the piano as a hobby. Very quickly, I started singing, and it was she who gave me my first bases. I loved it and I saw that people liked it, so I thought maybe I should take lessons, which I did at 14. I needed technique. At 13, I also started musical theater lessons, which was a turning point in my life. This introduced me to dance and theater, disciplines which have given me a lot. I did it for four years, and without the musical, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Do you play an instrument?

I am self-taught on the piano. I started about five years ago. I don’t play Mozart pieces, but I manage to accompany myself when I sing. When I compose, it’s mainly in piano-voice, but my skills are still limited.

I have written a few compositions, but being an ultra-perfectionist, I do not yet dare to share them with the general public. I just shared these with my mom two weeks ago. It was a well-kept secret until then.

Is there a particular class you’re looking forward to taking part in on the show?

Honestly, I’m excited about all the classes. But I must admit that I am particularly looking forward to the dancing and singing ones, to learn more about my body and my voice. The only class that stresses me out a little is the sports class at 8 a.m. I’m not really a morning person, and what’s more, it’s been a while since I’ve seriously exercised. So I’ll have to get back into shape quickly!

A final word for the French-speaking people who will follow you?

I hope you will be proud of me! I will do everything to go as far as possible. I want to prove that even being Swiss, you can accomplish incredible things in a French program.