He escaped elimination six times but his seventh nomination was one too many. This Saturday, January 4, Ulysses was eliminated from the Star Academy facing Franck, Marine and Charles. The young singer from Marseille returns for Tele-Leisure on his unexpected journeyfrom his first hesitant weeks to his good progress praised by the teachers. The community life that frightened him, the strong moments like Aaron's surprise the day after his birthday, he remade the film of this adventure that made him grow up before sharing the tour with his former comrades from the 21st FEBRUARY.
Ulysses reacts to his elimination at the Star Academy just before the semi-finals: “My goal was to remain worthy“
Tele-Leisure : What state of mind have you been in since your elimination?
Ulysses: It's weird to get back to normal life but it's going really well. A little frustrated to have gone out just before the semi-finals but on the other hand, I'm super happy with the journey I accomplished because I really didn't see myself getting that far. I am slowly regaining my bearings in this world which is not that of the castle of Star Academy. I was able to turn my phone back on yesterday morning but I keep my distance from it a little so as not to get hit in the face all at once.
What happened in your head when only you and Franck were left on set?
Honestly, every time I found myself nominated and waiting for the announcement of the saved candidate, I never got my hopes up. In life, I imagine the worst because I can only be pleasantly surprised if the best happens. I never left thinking that I was sure I was going to be saved. I knew I could potentially leave. My goal was to give the best to each bonus so as not to be disappointed when leaving.
You seem to have taken your departure philosophically. How do you explain it?
At first, I didn't see myself going that far. Already, I have reached the tour. From then on, the time I spent at the castle was nothing but more. Honestly, I was just super happy to have gotten this far. My goal was to remain dignified no matter what and to be proud of the journey accomplished.
“I understand it completely“: Ulysses (Star Academy 2024) comments on Ebony's choice to face Franck in the semi-final, against Charles and Marine
Were you able to speak with the teachers after the end of the prime?
Once everything was over, I found my loved ones, some of the former students and the teachers in the dressing rooms. I was able to interact with everyone. They congratulated me on my journey, told me that I had progressed enormously. What I remember most is what Sofia told me. She told me that I had a truly unique tone among all the students and that when I sang, it took her to the heart and that I was sure that I was going to do things behind it. Really, it did me a lot of good because I had a lot of lack of self-confidence. It really boosted me up.
What do you think of Ebony's choice to face Franck and choose a semi-final between Charles and Marine?
I find his choice super logical, I understand it completely. She is very attached to Franck and I understand her desire to wear one of them in the final. She's going to share a whole bounty with him and I know they adore each other. It's a pretty obvious choice.
You stayed at the castle for 13 weeks. What is the strongest moment?
The most emotional moment was when Aaron came to the castle the day after my birthday to surprise me. It was a fantastic moment that will remain forever engraved in my memory because I really wanted to sing with them. I hadn't been able to do it on the prime and it was a little frustration that I had kept with me all this time. When they came, it lifted a weight off me. And then I was so happy to see them. It's indescribable what I experienced at that moment, when I was able to share this song with them around the piano at the castle, it was incredible. Everyone had tears in their eyesit was really quite a powerful moment.
“I feel disappointment“: eliminated before the semi-finals of the Star AcademyUlysses confides in his journey
In recent weeks, have you believed more and more in your chances of winning?
When I arrived at the castle, I really thought I would spend three weeks at the castle and then return home. Besides, I talked about it with my loved ones, I told them that there was no point in crying because I would soon be back! I never hoped to win, I was already too happy to be in the 15. But it's true that the closer we got to the end, the more hope was seen on the horizon. It's certain that I feel disappointed to leave before the semi-finals because we say to ourselves that we perhaps have a chance of winning when we get to that stage. But I'm still very happy! We don't really have an idea of what's happening outside because we're locked up all the time, we don't have any benchmarks, knowing if it's working, if people like us. When we did the showcase in Beaugrenelle, it was pretty phenomenal, there were people everywhere. That’s when we became a little more aware of what was happening outside.
You have been nominated 7 times. How did you deal with the pressure of constantly being in the hot seat?
I have never had a bad experience with a nomination. I know that whatever happened, it wasn't me who was going to choose whether I was going to stay or not. I never worried about that. As time goes on, it's not that you get used to it, but a little all the same. [Il rit.] The first time is hard. The second time, a little less. In the end, we arrive at the moment where it's like that, it's not a big deal. What bothered me the most was not being satisfied with what I was doing in evaluation. For me, it was much more complicated than the bonuses, much more stressful. In fact, I've always struggled with evaluating art. That was the hardest part, being evaluated on an art form and feeling inferior to others. The teachers liked to tell us not to compare ourselves to others but there was still a ranking every week!
Despite everything, you have been saved six times. How do you explain it?
I wouldn't know how to explain it. Even I didn't believe in myself. I didn't know why people wanted me to stay. In any case, it's thanks to them that I was able to stay in the adventure for so long, so I thank them very much.
