Before becoming the icon of French song thanks to the Star Academy, Jenifer took her first steps on television in another show. A choice that she admits today that she did not make of her own free will.
When she was only 18 years old, Jenifer made herself known to the general public by joining the cast of the very first edition of the Star Academy. Over the weeks, his remarkable performances and his natural charisma allowed him to win the very first season of tele-hook. Success was quickly confirmed with the release of his first eponymous album, Jenifer. “I knew what I didn't want, fundamentally, and afterward, I read texts, and I saw if I could sing them or not. And I kept the ones that made me feel different, that made me feel better.”she confided to BFMTV.
The rest after this ad
To promote his new album Jukeboxwhere she revisits her greatest hits, the 42-year-old artist spoke with authenticity during an interview with Radio France. She shared confidences about her relationship with her physique and did not hesitate to reveal herself on more personal aspects. But this Saturday January 4, 2025, on the set of What an era!the show presented by Léa Salamé on France 2, she returned with transparency to her beginnings on television. She notably mentioned her significant participation, in 1997, in a famous talent show broadcast on M6 at the end of the 1990s.
The rest after this ad
A casting imposed by those close to him
If the mother of Aaron, Joseph and Juvanni is today an essential personality on the French music scene, her first steps in the world of television were not a personal initiative. At only 14 years old, the young singer joined the show Star Seeds on M6, but she readily admits that she had not caused this opportunity. “No, but I didn’t provoke this casting. I really didn’t sign up for this casting willingly.”she confided.
At the time, it was those close to him who took matters into their own hands. “It’s my entourage, actually! Because the music really suited me. And it was my mother, my aunt, my uncle, everyone who interfered in my life at that time, and who did well to do so because I was a bit of a tomboy and I had done two or three stupid things. Anyway, I didn't go to school much. I started to mess around a little bit and they realized that the music suited me a lot…”she explains frankly.
The rest after this ad
The singer was “uncomfortable” during her appearance on this famous show
During her appearance on the famous show, she found herself facing Laurent Boyer to perform God gave me faith by Ophélie Winter. A performance which, despite his young age and his already perceptible talent, did not really suit him. “I love Ophélie Winter, but I didn’t want to sing that song […] But at the same time, I didn't really know what else to suggest. I let myself be guided a little bit and it was an experience.”she confides on the Léa Salamé set.
The rest after this ad
Furthermore, seeing these images again rekindled a feeling of discomfort in her. “I'm uncomfortable, I was uncomfortable in fact. I was uncomfortable in my clothes, in my career”she admits with sincerity. This moment, although it marked an important stage in her career, remains tinged with awkwardness and hesitation for the young artist she was then.
