How did this proposal come to you?
Marlene Schaff: Mathieu Vergne, the producer of the show, had a “revelation” after seeing my only-on-stage A Queen Is Born. He said that given my background as a singing teacher and artist, it made sense to entrust me with this role. People don’t know this, but I taught acting in art schools for almost ten years.
Did you hesitate to refill?
No way ! It’s a whole new adventure for me, a bit like resetting the counter. It’s a great challenge, and I’m absolutely delighted to be able to get involved with the students in a different way.
What kind of teacher are you going to be?
What people have already seen of me is really who I am. I like to work in a good mood, but I am also very rigorous! I can’t stand mediocrity, because I consider that saying “it’s okay” is an insult to the public. So yes, I’m nice, but we’re here to work!
Have you met the new promotion yet?
No, and my only regret as a tutor was meeting the students before prime time, to prepare them. I was jealous of the teachers who discovered them on stage! (Laughs) This year, I will finally be able to have a surprise too, and that delights me!
How was your meeting with the new faculty members?
I know Fanny very well (Delaigue, editor’s note)the new coach, since she was my scene partner on Holidays the musical, and I’m delighted that she’s joining us. With Lucie (Bernardoni) and her, the students are in good hands. As for Sofia Morgavi, Hugues Hamelynck and Ladji Doucouré (singing, theater and sports teachers respectively), I didn’t know them before, and, for the moment, everything is fine.
Aren’t you going to miss your duo with Lucie too much?
No, it will continue to exist, even if we no longer return to the castle hand in hand, because we are also friends in life. And then, we were a pair, but we also each worked solo with groups of students.
Have you kept in touch with former students?
Yes, and they know they can always count on me. Moreover, Héléna (semi-finalist in 2024) was the first to whom I announced my change of position! She replied: “Oh, the plot twist!” » (Laughs)
We can say that it’s a nice wink from destiny, when we know that Raphaëlle Ricci, the former teacher of stage expression, had rejected you from the casting of season 2, in 2002?
Honestly, life is still funny, isn’t it? It’s incredible, because when I was younger, I was in the school of her mother, Alice Dona, and to think that twenty years later, I am taking over the position created by her daughter, who was the very first teacher of stage expression of the show… I find it crazy! But I have no resentment, she is a brilliant woman and one whom I admire very much.
In what state of mind are you approaching the first prime time?
I am an inveterate stalker, whenever I have to set foot on stage. My theater teacher always told me that you should never say that you are stressed. It must be said that we can’t wait. So I can’t wait! (Laughs)
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