At 25, Ael Pagny published on November 6 a book of intimate photos of his father, Florent Pagny, a touching and sincere tribute which retraces the last two years of their lives. From the 60th anniversary tour in 2021 to the singer’s remission at the end of 2023, Ael reveals poignant moments, but without falling into pathos. “In our family, we are modest,” she says in an interview for “Le Parisien”, as if to apologize for this sharing. But the public will be delighted to discover this discreet and authentic side of Florent Pagny, captured by his daughter in moments of truth.
Ael, who has followed his father on stage since childhood, did not want to miss any concert on this special tour. In 2023, after the singer’s treatments for his cancer, she witnessed the emotion of fans finding the voice of their idol. “There was incredible euphoria,” she says. At the Aluna Festival, the crowd sang in unison, giving Florent an unexpected dose of energy. Ael weaved through the audience, capturing this fervor as a return of life for his father. “Even he was impressed: “They are really happy to see me again,” she explains to the French media.
She also remembers the day she learned of her father’s diagnosis: “I was flying back to Argentina. I wondered about staying, but mom was with him. I said to myself: “He has his other half with him, that’s good. I will be more useful in managing our farm in Argentina.” We lived day by day, but we knew he was in good hands for treatment.”
No paparazzi here, just selected moments, like this shot of Florent Pagny signing autographs after a concert. “He does it every night, except when he really has to leave,” explains Ael, for whom this act demonstrates his father’s sincere gratitude to his fans. She knows well that her dad is a public figure, but she was surprised by the massive attachment people had after the announcement of his illness. “I understood very early on that Dad was not just Dad, that he meant something to people. But at this point… After the announcement of his cancer, my father, my brother and I received a lot of messages of support and love on our social networks,” she first explained before adding : “I was surprised that they were so massive and that they also came towards me. Dad calls it synchronicity of the same good energy. It helped him and helped all of us.”
Ael says that when he is not on stage, Florent Pagny continues to sing… Everywhere, all the time. “Suddenly, he drops crazy notes and goes into his delirium,” she laughs. “My mother told him to stop: “Save it for the stage!” For Ael, it’s a joy to see her father in good health, even if she sometimes finds herself turning down the volume in her own ears.
With the release of his book, Ael projects himself into a life straddling filming and escapades in Argentina. As for Florent Pagny, his return to “The Voice” marks a new stage in his recovery. “I will be able to sneak everywhere on the set,” she jokes, rediscovering a little of this nomadic life between France and Patagonia, which shaped her childhood. But for now, it is the celebration of a victory: that of his father, standing, voice clear, ready to take on the stage and with life.
