Maybe I'm an ex-BG: when I see the photos again, I tell myself that I wasn't bad! An ex-VB, like an old beau, no (laughs)! Age passes, friendship sometimes, but in my life there has never been illness or death. These are years of happiness.
Being alive has always been enough for me, I never had big dreams, specific ambitions, just to have fun.
You also say that you are happy to still be here…
Yes, being alive has always been enough for me, I never had big dreams, specific ambitions, just to have fun, that's the blessing of every day. If, on top of that, it’s exciting, it’s the icing on the cake!
You appeared naked and in blue at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics this summer. What do you remember from this episode?
It's always funny to think about that. I was the one who proposed my candidacy. I wanted to sing naked, then I was asked to wear blue. It was very amusing, unforgettable, funny to do, in the rain… “Nu” is a song of peace, even if I never had any illusions about humanity: children at home. nursery are already fighting for their territory, it's war, humans are like that. I told myself that this song could help bring peace. Unfortunately, the wars continue…
Your performance was broadcast all over the world and caused controversy. What are the consequences for you?
I understood that there was controversy over religion but I didn't understand why. Many people come to congratulate me in the street, even if some are unhappy. It's normal that people don't have the same opinion between neighbors. The scene has fallen into pop culture, hijacked by ads, it's great. This blue guy isn't totally me either. I also continue my exhibitions with my pink men, which I created for the cuteness movement but it was already before the Olympic Games!
It's an extraordinary chance that people follow my ideas, it's so crazy.
Is this a new episode, after your César, in 2019, for “Le Grand Bain” and a Victoire de la musique, in 2020?
Yes, these are my diplomas. It's an extraordinary chance that people follow my ideas, it's so crazy. It’s recognition from my peers, for my team, it’s beneficial for everyone, it makes you want to continue.
And the cinema, to which you dedicate a song, you who chose your name in homage to Catherine Deneuve…
I have been a teacher, a priest, dressed in a kilt, cinema allows experiences that I would never have otherwise. We meet people and, for me who is shy, it's good that I go out a little. In music too, I meet people, I listen to a lot of rap, that must come through in my songs…
Are you from Vendée but also a little Breton, after having studied in Rennes?
I arrived there in 1986, arriving from Chantonnay, in Vendée. I had never been to the city alone, it was total panic, I was freaking out, I had put my furniture in front of the door in my first apartment, I couldn't sleep, I heard drunk people in the square from Brittany. After a week, I asked my parents to put me on campus, sharing with an Iraqi and an Iranian, even though the two countries were at war, they were arguing all the time but I was reassured not to be alone.
Rennes had a big impact on me. I discovered everything there, music, cinema, with the lessons of Jean-Pierre Berthomé, a specialist in Jacques Demy. I opened my eyes to the world, I read a lot too, I knew nothing.
What do you keep from it?
Rennes had a big impact on me. I discovered everything there, music, cinema, with the lessons of Jean-Pierre Berthomé, a specialist in Jacques Demy. I opened my eyes to the world, I read a lot too, I knew nothing. I love Brittany, the coast, Douarnenez (29). We also filmed clips there, like that of “La Banane”, on a beach in Locquirec (29), near Morlaix (29)!
Did you also become a columnist on France Inter?
Yes, I have just written a column on the hands, it is the part of the body that we know best. Formulating things on the radio is an exercise that I love doing and it's different than writing a song…
What are your projects?
Concerts, soon in Rennes, in particular (April 24, 2025, at Liberté, Editor's note). At the moment, I'm working on the scenography, I want to make sure it's alive. We are going to do very large rooms, I was told that this is the time! I don't know if I will be naked, I wouldn't want to shock (laughs). On the cinema side, I have a film that will be released with Blanche Gardin, “The Incredible Woman of the Snows” and I will soon shoot a musical with Karine Viard and Juliette Armanet.
