The ceremony was notably marked by Slimane’s speech after being named French-speaking male artist of the year. He is also the subject of a complaint for sexual harassment.
The 26th season of the NRJ Music Awards took place Friday evening at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. The evening hosted by Nikos Aliagas and broadcast on TF1 saw some great people pass by: Indochine, David Guetta, Amir, Vitaa… and Slimane, among others. The singer’s arrival at the ceremony was uncertain until early yesterday afternoon. Indeed, as Le Parisien revealed, he is the target of a complaint for sexual harassment, filed by one of his former technicians. The singer allegedly forced him into a hug before taking him by force to his dressing room where he asked him for sex. This was refused by the victim who claims to have received messages and videos of a sexual nature, even pornographic, for several hours after this altercation. Facts denied by Slimane.
That didn’t stop the singer from being there, going on stage, winning an award and giving a speech. As the organizer of the event told Le Parisien: “We think that the presumption of innocence is very important and we are not investigating judges. So for us, nothing has changed.” Slimane arrived at the Palais des Festivals shortly after the publication of these lines.
Very little applause behind the scenes
The performance as well as Slimane’s speech were rather well received by the public. On the other hand, behind the scenes, the reception was more mixed. According to Le Parisien, when his prize was awarded, the silence was heavy, only two people applauded. Several artists, whose names are not cited by our colleagues, considered that Slimane’s presence was disturbing in view of the accusations, but that this ceremony being a celebration, it was necessary to deal with it.
Nicola Sirkis’ speech did not go unnoticed either. The singer from Indochina, who was crowned French-speaking group of the year, dedicated this trophy to “all those who suffer moral, academic or sexual harassment”. A phrase that particularly resonates this evening.
Slimane, who received the French-speaking male artist of the year award, was in tears on stage. He began his thanks with a tearful: “He has a special taste,” before telling his daughter that he hoped she would be proud of him when she grew up and thanking her parents. He concluded with: “To my audience, from one human to many other human beings, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
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10:50 – The 2024 winners
- DJ of the year: David Guetta
- International hit of the year: Beautiful Things – Benson Boone
- French-speaking group: Indochina
- Social hit of the year: Petit Génie – Jungeli ft. Imen Es, Alonzo, Abou Debeing & Lossa
- International female artist: Taylor Swift
- International revelation: Benson Boone
- French-speaking female artist: Vitaa
- International male artist: The Weeknd
- French-speaking male artist: Slimane
- French-speaking revelation of the year: Pierre Garnier
- Song of the year: *What we were* – Pierre Garnier
- Duo francophone : Dadju & Tayc – “I love you”
- Duo international : Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile”
- Groupe international : Coldplay
- Best concert: Bigflo and Oli
10:40 – Slimane wins the prize for French-speaking male artist
Despite the sexual harassment complaint against Slimane, the singer was named, for the second year in a row, French-speaking male artist of the year. Very moved during his speech, he clearly noted the special nature of this ceremony: “It has a special taste.” As if to provide a reminder, the singer of Indochina, Nicola Sirkis, paid tribute in his speech to “all those who suffer moral, academic or sexual harassment”.
The NRJ Music Awards in the vein of previous editions
The NRJ Music Awards, broadcast at the start of the long weekend, with this Friday holiday, brought together 3.57 million viewers for the first part of the prime, behind France 2 which brought together 5.37 million. Host Nikos Aliagas, emblematic figure of the ceremony, was back at the presentation, he who has hosted the NRJ and TF1 show since 2009, with the exception of an absence in 2022 due to a foot injury (he had was replaced by Camille Combal).
Last year, the NRJ Music Awards crowned Vitaa, French-speaking female artist, Slimane in the male ranking, but also Dua Lipa and Louane.
The winners of the NRJ Music Awards 2024
Among the nominees, established artists such as Slimane, Gims and Aya Nakamura mingle with emerging talents like Héléna and Pierre Garnier, revealed by the Star Academy. In the international category, stars like Dua Lipa, Beyoncé and Eminem tried to win a trophy.
- French-speaking revelation:
Carbonne
Helena
Jack
Jungle
Pierre Garnier winner
- International revelation:
Benson Boone winner
Chappell Roan
Dasha
Myles Smith,
Teddy Swims
- French-speaking female artist:
Aya Nakamura
Louane
Santa
Vitaa winning
Zaho de Sagazan
- International female artist:
Beyoncé
Billie Eilish
Dua Lipa
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift winner
- French-speaking male artist:
Amir
David Guetta
will be born
Joseph Kamel
Slimane winner
- International male artist:
Eminem
Lil Nas X
Post Malone
Shawn Mendes
The Weeknd gagnant
Beautiful Things – Benson Boone gagnant
Training Season – Dua Lipa
Eyes Closed – Imagine Dragons
Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
Lose Control – Teddy Swims
Dadju & Tayc – I love you gagnant
Gims & Dystinct – Spider
Joseph Kamel & Julien Doré – Beau
Keblack & Franglish – Boucan
Kyo & Colorless Night – I run
David Guetta & OneRepublic – I Don’t Wanna Wait
Kygo & Ava Max – Whatever
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile gagnant
Sevdaliza, Pabllo Vittar & Yseult – Alibi
Taylor Swift & Post Malone – Fortnight
Calema
Indochina winner
Justice
Kyo
Shaka Ponk
Coldplay gagnant
Imagine Dragons
Linkin Park
Moonlight
OneRepublic
Calvin Harris
David Guetta winner
Justice
Ofenbach
Sound Of Legend
Paint The Town Red – Doja Cat
Gata Only – FloyyMenor & Cris MJ
If You Are Not – Íñigo Quinter
Little Genius – Jungeli ft. Imen Is a winner
Alonzo
Abou Debeing & Losa
libi – Sevdaliza, Pabllo Vittar & Yseult
Bigflo and Oli winners
Coldplay
Justice
Justin Timberlake
Taylor Swift
The NRJ Music Awards had a pretty impressive list of guest artists. In Cannes, the radio and TF1 managed to bring together David Guetta, Indochine, Gims and even Clara Luciani and Slimane. Here is the guest list:
- Benson Boone
- Damiano David (Moonlight)
- Pierre Garnier
- will be born
- David Guetta
- Indochina
- Louane
- Clara Luciani
- Santa
- Sevdaliza and Yseult
- Slimane
- Teddy Swims
The categories of the NRJ Music Awards
For this 26th edition of the NRJ Music Awards, the artists competed in around fifteen categories. Last year, four new categories appeared, such as live, after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. The categories were as follows: French-speaking and international revelations; French-speaking and international female artist; French-speaking and international male artist; international song; French-speaking and international collaborations; French-speaking and international group/duo; French-speaking and international clip; DJ; Social Hit; Cover/adaptation and French-speaking tour.
