how did the singer break her child star image?

Vanessa Paradis was only 15 years old when she catapulted to stardom with Joe the Taxi in 1987. Discovered by the French in the show The fan schoolshe was only eight and a half years old when she sang for the first time on television. Barely two years later, she will record her first song The Magic of Surprise Parties with the Forbans.

In 1988, despite the 3 million records sold Joe the Taxi, she will be shunned by Midem, the big record market in Cannes, who will boo her during her performance on stage. The teenager is then considered by the profession as a manipulated child star, a simple marketing stunt. An image that she will do everything to change and prove that she is an artist.

The teenager knows how to surround herself with big names in Music, such as the composer Franck Langolff or the lyricist Étienne Roda-Gil, and collaborate with renowned artists like the sulphurous Serge Gainsbourg in 1990 for Variations on the same love you, which will become Platinum. The same year, she received the Music victory for the female performer.

A sulphurous role in the cinema

This image of a teenage star, Vanessa Paradis will also break it on the big screen. In 1988, the teenager was the heroine of White Wedding Jean-Claude Brisseau. She plays Mathilde, a difficult and marginal young girl who falls in love with her teacher, played by Bruno Cremer.

A risky role, but one that will pay off. Vanessa Paradis wins the 1990 César for Most Promising Actress and the Romy Schneider Prize. This start to the singer and actress’ career is flawless. The budding artist was only 18 years old at the time but had already shown that she had all the makings of a grown-up.

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