A wind of nostalgia will blow over the Star Academy with a special week dedicated to TF1 telecrochet veterans. The students received a visit from the show's emblematic teachers Oscar Sisto, Armande Altaï and Kamel Ouali. As a highlight, a prime time dedicated largely to the fourth edition which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and to its winner, Grégory Lemarchal, died in 2007 at the age of 23. “He remained in the hearts of the French. It's surely the greatest voice we've had, all seasons combined.” explains producer Mathieu Vergne. For the occasion, a new single written by the man nicknamed “The Little Prince” will be performed by the new generation live this Saturday, November 23. In the meantime, the alumni of his class remember for us their adventure alongside the singer.
“He was a constant support” : Lucie Bernardoni (Star Academy) confides in his friendship with Grégory Lemarchal
At 17, Lucie Bernardoni was a finalist alongside Grégory Lemarchal. “We worked a lot, we prepared a lot. It was really a timeless moment. We had both caught a cold so we clung to each other as best we could. We supported each other. throughout this final, he was a constant support.” Despite their opposite characters, the two students grew closer throughout the adventure: “He wanted to write his texts but he was still searching for himself artistically, so I showed him mine.” If they shared the same tastes for certain artists, she remembers Grégory's passion for Céline Dion. “She was his queen, you shouldn’t touch her!”
“He didn’t like talking about it on camera”: Karima Charni (Star Academy) says more about Grégory Lemarchal’s relationship to his illness
Grégory was one of the troublemakers of the promotion. “He loved throwing water on my head with crazy discretion because I must have had a very futile reaction by telling him not to touch my brushing“, s’amuse Karima Charni. Moments of laughter punctuated by more serious exchanges: “Sometimes, I asked him about his illness because I wanted to understand and to know how I could be a support for him. But those were times when we weren't being filmed. He didn't like talking about it on camera because he didn't want anyone to remember that about him.”
“We were shooting in the flank but not Grégory”: Mathieu Johann remembers lessons with Grégory Lemarchal at the Star Academy
Mathieu Johann, in the semi-final against Grégory, was marked by his determination. “Tiburce [le professeur de sport, ndlr] didn't see us well then we fired in the flank but not Grégory. He understood that to win, you had to be ready like a top athlete. He experienced everything a thousand times more intensely than us, because he knew the price of life.he remembers. The one who nicknamed Grégory “The Little Prince” feels grateful to have crossed his path. “He was extraordinary,” he summarizes.
“We listened to it in one go in incredible silence”: Matthieu Gonet (Star Academy) recounts one of the key moments in the singer's life
Repeater for seven seasons, Matthieu Gonet has special memories of the class of 2004.”Through his talent, students and teachers alike quickly saw that Grégory could win. he explains. Having become friends with the singer, the music composer remembers having witnessed a key moment in the singer's life: “He had just received his album and we listened to it in one go in incredible silence. He was like a child because he had dreamed of it all his life.”
“The connection was magical“: Sofiane Tadjine (Star Academy) remembers his friendship with Grégory Lemarchal
Pour Sofiane Tadjinethe feeling was immediate. “We focused on football. He was for OM, and I for PSG. It worked right away between us even though we were opposites. The connection was magical“, he smiled. A friendship that has only grown through strong moments like their resumption of Besides, from the musical The Ten Commandments. But after the Star Ac’, the two friends move away. “It's true that I took umbrage at his success.” he admits. An attitude that he still regrets. “His disappearance remains an open wound. But I believe in guardian angels and I know he is one of them.”
