The 19th season of France has incredible talent presented by Karine Le Marchand crowned magician Mathieu Stepson on Friday December 20, 2024. A consecration for the one who, seven years ago, had already participated in the program without being selected for the semi-final. In 2024, after four high-profile performances, the public acclaimed him in front of two dance groups: Inverdance and RB Dance Company whose performances were also very noted. Two days after his victory, Mathieu Stepson gave an interview to Tele-Leisure to look back on this memorable evening and discuss his projects.
“It's a place that we don't really like“: Mathieu Stepson not very comfortable during the final of France has incredible talent 2024
Tele-Leisure : How are you, two days after your victory in France has incredible talent ?
Mathieu Stepson : Perfectly good. I am more rested than in recent days!
How long did it take you to prepare the finale number?
The time we have between the recording of the semi-final and the final is almost three weeks. Knowing that I left the semi-final with a blank page: I didn't know at all what I was going to present. It took me a good week to get the idea written down.
How many people work with you on developing these issues?
I work 90% alone. Then, when I write something, I like to convene a small circle of magician friends from my region. There are 4 or 5 of us. I present the ideas to them and then I like to get their opinion. For example, on the finale “See you soon in the future” written at the end of the number is an idea from a friend: when he mentioned it, I immediately wanted to keep the idea.
During the auditions, you said that the show was your last chance. Have you thought about quitting the profession?
Not this job. I have no reason to complain because I have always managed to make a decent living in the events industry. 7 years ago, after my time in France has incredible talentI wanted to put on a show and perform it in a room: there really weren't many dates (he launched his show at the beginning of 2020, just before Covid-19, editor’s note.), but I tasted it. The last chance, this year, was for this show project that I have been carrying out for five years.
You came first on this final night. How did you take it: as an advantage or as a disadvantage?
I don't know anything about it (laughs). When we're on artist sets, on stage, it's always very hard to get the ball rolling. It's a place that we don't really like. They told me they had to put me first, for technical reasons: it took a little more time to install. I was a little doubtful but honestly, I preferred to go first because I think even viewers are more attentive at the beginning of the show than at the end.
How is the rest of your evening going?
I come out of the number, and seeing the reactions, I say to myself: “Cool, I liked it”. I went straight into the dressing room to watch my performance again and see how it turned out: I was happy with it. Then, I sat down with the other candidates to watch the performances. I admit that the more the numbers went by, the less calm I felt.
Mathieu Stepson reveals what Booder, who gave him his Golden Buzzer, told him after his victory in France has incredible talent
There were two Mathieus of you during the final, which gave you a little scare when the eliminated ones were announced…
With each name announced, I put it in my head that potentially the next one could be me. I didn't come to win, but to make things happen. Four places from delirium, the moment I hear Mathieu, for a second that seemed like an eternity to me, we have time to say a lot of things to each other. I had my mom in the corner of my eye who was in the stands, at that moment I looked at her and saw that she had both hands on her head. She had the same feeling as me.
When did you tell yourself that victory was possible?
There are only two left of us. I don't realize it right away because I didn't count the number of people and the Inverdance are numerous. I didn't want to be second: you push your hopes to the maximum and then finally you lose. I think it's the worst. At that moment, for me, it was folded. I thought the winners would be RB Dance Company, but I see them coming in third place. I said to myself: “It’s more and more possible“. I was so unlucky in my journey that, for me, the story couldn't be as beautiful. And then, the wheel finally turns.
Once Karine Le Marchand announces your name, how did you experience this final part of the show?
Already, we had to realize. I re-watched the images from the second part of the evening and I realize that the brain skips a lot of things! I feel like someone dragged me out of there.”Wait, you're going to take a photo” to the “Here, take the check, you do this“. It's happening at crazy speed. My family was there: my mom, my stepfather, my aunt, they came backstage with me. I put my things away, gave everyone a big kiss. And then, I left with my suitcase, saying to myself: “It’s just crazy.”
How long did it take you to make?
I don't even know if I've realized yet… Three, four times a day, I say to myself: “Ah, but it’s true!” When I see on social networks or in the media, I realize that the guy in the photo is me.
Did you have Booder, who gave you their Golden Buzzeron the phone before or after the final?
I had him by messages before, he sent me his encouragement. Afterwards, he posted stories, posts, etc. We responded in comments. But I know he is very proud and very happy with his choice of Golden Buzzer. That's what I've since called a “Golden Booder”! (laughs)
“Legally this is not allowed“: Mathieu Stepson had to change a detail during his victory in France has incredible talent 2024
Were you able to give the two concert tickets to the little boy in the audience?
I didn't give him the ones shown in the picture because I couldn't conjure up real concert tickets. Legally this is not allowed. So yes, I gave him real purchased concert tickets; It's true, I could have given him the dummy ones as a souvenir. I will give them to him.
How did your family react to your victory?
My mother was like a crazy person. As soon as my name was given, she came down from the bleacher. There were security guards blocking the scene: she watched out of the corner of her eye and as soon as he turned his head, she snuck out. She was obviously very moved, very proud.
Have you been contacted by producers since Friday?
I have a lot of requests from theaters for the next cultural seasons. I think that in the 2025-2026 season, you will see my face everywhere (laughs). I will have a meeting with the first producers just after the holidays to see if we can work together.
Eric Antoine was the first to come and congratulate you. What did he tell you?
He told me that he was so happy that I was the winner, that he was really happy for me. There was an emotional side because he has been following me since I did the show in 2017. We have always been in contact. Furthermore, he explained to me that he really liked each of the passages and that he had rediscovered me.
Have you talked about working together soon?
Not especially. It seems to me that the producing jurors do not have the right to produce the artists who leave the show for a certain period of time.
