The NRJ Music Awards 2024 arrive as one of the nominees and guests, singer Slimane, is accused of harassment. Enough to eclipse the list?
The 26th edition of the NRJ Music Awards has been scheduled for this Friday, November 1, from the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes. And what was supposed to be a flashy new show for TF1 and NRJ has been shaken up since the revelations in Le Parisien on one of the main artists named, the singer Slimane, accused of sexual harassment by one of his former technicians. Nominated for French song of the year and invited to perform live, the singer embarrassed the organizers this week.
According to information from Parisianthe technician in question accuses Slimane of having notably blocked him against a wall to impose “a hug” on him at the end of a concert last year. The singer also reportedly expressed his “desire for a sexual relationship” to his accuser, who then told him that he was heterosexual and married. Which Slimane would not have taken into account, dragging the technician into his dressing room, explains the daily. This would have followed “a multitude of messages and videos of a sexual, even pornographic, nature”, sent by the artist. Rumors about inappropriate behavior by Slimane on the sidelines of his tour with Vitaa a few years ago have also been unearthed.
For the NRJ Music Awards, these revelations, although firmly denied by the entourage of the former Eurovision candidate, have for the moment completely eclipsed the nominees, the guests and ultimately the prize list to come. Le Parisien reported numerous “phone calls” behind the scenes to decide whether or not Slimane would participate in the big TF1 and NRJ show this Friday. According to the newspaper, “the cancellation of his participation or a withdrawal of nominations” were mentioned, “but the status quo remains[ait] for the moment the preferred track” Thursday.
A press release from the NRJ Music Awards published Wednesday afternoon to announce the personalities responsible for presenting the trophies for the various trophies, made no mention of Slimane as a guest. Le Parisien indicated that the artist's management would have pushed for his arrival, when TF1 would have expressed its fear “that the affair turns into a soap opera”. Slimane arrived in Cannes in the evening. Response this Friday evening on television.
The NRJ Music Awards in the vein of previous editions
The NRJ Music Awards, broadcast at the start of the long weekend, with this Friday holiday, will perhaps gain in audience. Host Nikos Aliagas, emblematic figure of the ceremony, will return to the presentation, he who has hosted the NRJ and TF1 show since 2009, with the exception of an absence in 2022 due to a foot injury (he had was replaced by Camille Combal).
Last year, the NRJ Music Awards crowned Vitaa, French-speaking female artist, Slimane in the male ranking, but also Dua Lipa and Louane. On November 1 from 9:10 p.m., TF1 viewers will be able to discover a new list with the biggest French-speaking and international artists. But they will also be able to enjoy a unique show during the year, with performances by prestigious artists, rarely brought together on the same stage.
The NRJ Music Awards have indeed announced a fairly impressive first list of guest artists. In Cannes, radio and TF1 managed to bring together David Guetta, Indochine, Gims and even Clara Luciani and Slimane. Here is the list of guests already confirmed:
- Benson Boone
- Damiano David (Moonlight)
- Pierre Garnier
- will be born
- David Guetta
- Indochina
- Louane
- Clara Luciani
- Santa
- Sevdaliza and Yseult
- Slimane
- Teddy Swims
The categories of the NRJ Music Awards
For this 26th edition of the NRJ Music Awards, artists are competing in around fifteen categories. Last year, four new categories appeared, such as live, after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. The categories are as follows: French-speaking and international revelations; French-speaking and international female artist; French-speaking and international male artist; international song; French-speaking and international collaborations; French-speaking and international group/duo; French-speaking and international clip; DJ; Social Hit; Cover/adaptation and French-speaking tour.
The list of nominees for the NRJ Music Awards
Among the nominees, established artists such as Slimane, Gims and Aya Nakamura mingle with emerging talents like Héléna and Pierre Garnier, revealed by the Star Academy. In the international category, stars like Dua Lipa, Beyoncé and Eminem will try to win a trophy.
The nominations program includes notable collaborations such as that of Dadju and Tayc for “I Love You” and Taylor Swift and Post Malone with “Fortnight”.
French-speaking revelation:
- Carbonne
- Helena
- Jack
- Jungle
- Pierre Garnier
International revelation:
- Benson Boone
- Chappell Roan
- Dasha
- Myles Smith,
- Teddy Swims
French-speaking female artist:
- Aya Nakamura
- Louane
- Santa
- Vitaa
- Zaho de Sagazan
International female artist:
- Beyoncé
- Billie Eilish
- Dua Lipa
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Taylor Swift
French-speaking male artist:
- Amir
- David Guetta
- will be born
- Joseph Kamel
- Slimane
International male artist:
- Eminem
- Lil Nas X
- Post Malone
- Shawn Mendes
- The Weeknd
Hit international :
- Beautiful Things – Benson Boone
- Training Season – Dua Lipa
- Eyes Closed – Imagine Dragons
- Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
- Lose Control – Teddy Swims
Duo Francophone :
- Dadju & Tayc – I love you
- Gims & Dystinct – Spider
- Joseph Kamel & Julien Doré – Beau
- Keblack & Franglish – Boucan
- Kyo & Colorless Night – I run
Duo International :
- David Guetta & OneRepublic – I Don’t Wanna Wait
- Kygo & Ava Max – Whatever
- Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile
- Sevdaliza, Pabllo Vittar & Yseult – Alibi
- Taylor Swift & Post Malone – Fortnight
French-speaking group:
- Calema
- Indochina
- Justice
- Kyo
- Shaka Ponk
Groupe international :
- Coldplay
- Imagine Dragons
- Linkin Park
- Moonlight
- OneRepublic
Best DJ:
- Calvin Harris
- David Guetta
- Justice
- Ofenbach
- Sound Of Legend
Social Hit :
- Paint The Town Red – Doja Cat
- Gata Only – FloyyMenor & Cris MJ
- If You Are Not – Íñigo Quinter
- Little Genius – Jungeli ft. Imen Es
- Alonzo
- Abou Debeing & Losa
- Alibi – Sevdaliza, Pabllo Vittar & Yseult
Best concert:
- Bigflo and Oli
- Coldplay
- Justice
- Justin Timberlake
- Taylor Swift
Voting for this edition opened on September 23 and will close on November 1 at noon. Fans can support their favorite artists by visiting the NRJ application or the official event website, with the possibility of voting once per day in each category.
Each year, votes close midday on the date of the show to allow counting and to know the identity of the winning artists at the time of the evening. This year even more, the votes had to end early enough for the awards to be presented during the show recorded a few hours before its broadcast. Please note that certain prices will not be revealed on air but on MyTF1.
