A show worthy of Broadway. Throughout the last Star Academy bonus, broadcast this Saturday, December 7 on TF1, the students made their own musical comedy on the Studio 217 set. But at the end of the evening, joy gave way to sadness. Named against Charles, Maureen left the adventure to the great regret of her comrades. Two days after her departure, the Montpellier woman agreed to return to her elimination and her adventure with Gala.fr. From her performances to her relationships within the castle, Maureen confided without filter!
Gala.fr: How did you experience this elimination?
Maureen : Surprisingly, pretty good. When I knew I was nominated, I prepared myself for this option. So, I benefited even more. It's definitely the prime where I had the most fun. I enjoyed my friends, Nikos, all the artists, the dancers, the hairdressers and the makeup artists. I enjoyed it until the last moment and I have no regrets. I am very proud of my journey. Obviously, for a quarter of a second, I was disappointed not to return to the castle. It was more nostalgia. It's like a summer camp that's ending. I'm a little sad about leaving home but I'm lucky to be able to do the tour. I feel like I've done part one of Star Ac and part two is waiting for me very soon.
You couldn't hold back your tears. What did the students tell you when they joined you on set?
Above all, they told me that they were going to miss me. I lectured them. I told them that I would miss them too but that I didn't want them to leave too quickly. I want them out as late as possible (laughs). Above all, I told them to enjoy and that everything will be fine. I really wanted to reassure them by telling them that I was fine and that I was happy with my adventure. We have to accept it and move on because there are many things ahead of us.
You will soon find them for the big Star Academy tour. How are you approaching this new adventure?
I'm really looking forward to it! I want to know the setlist and all the details. But at the same time, I also want to rest for my voice and my physique. During the adventure, it was Pierre Garnier who told me when he came to the castle, I understood that I had to have a sportsman's lifestyle. I really want to arrive in great shape for the tour and show my potential even more.
Was Star Academy a dream?
It was truly a childhood dream. I was three years old when I watched Grégory Lemarchal on television. As soon as the show came back on, I was like crazy. I absolutely wanted to do it. I signed up on my own. I asked my loved ones for advice. They told me to try it so as not to have regrets. I was right to apply because everything went well. I was very lucky.
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“We are not in the world of care bears”
How was life in the community?
For me, it went very well. I know we don't all have the same opinion, we are different humans. I really thought it was great. As I often went to camps when I was little, I was already well used to this life. We're a bit like brothers and sisters, we love each other as much as we can hate each other. As we dared to say things to each other, we really succeeded in creating this family bond. We communicated phew! Today, I know exactly how to react to everyone in the castle. I got to know them 1000%.
Were there still any small tensions ?
It's part of the game to say that we're not in the world of care bears. There are ups and downs. Thanks to everyone’s maturity, we move forward together. The fact that Marguerite and Charles had a discussion is true proof of maturity. We were all for this conservation. It really felt good. I can tell you that there were other discussions. There have been times when we didn't understand something and acted badly without doing it on purpose. We apologize and we don't make the same mistake again. Between us, we are all super generous and caring. Communication is the key to everything!
What do you remember from your seven weeks at the Star Academy castle?
I feel like I'm much more of an artist than when I started. Maybe I would never have dared to do one thing or another and in the end, I did it! I also learned a lot on a human level. I learned to dialogue, to accept others as they are and to accept myself as I am. At least, I started the process. I think I'm on the right track. I must evolve and move forward with my body, with my way of expressing myself and with my voice. All these little traits make me different and that's great!
During a class with Marlène Schaff, you collapsed when revealing that you don't like your body. Did your participation allow you to accept it better?
Yes. I think I needed this discussion. Marlène knew how to find the right words to awaken something in me. My latest bonus is the best proof of this trigger. I have never been more comfortable with my body than on the latest prime. I allowed myself to move and wear things that I didn't dare before. I was still in a corset on Beauty and the Beast! I am very proud of it. Ending on this is definitely the best thing.
Is music a refuge for you?
Totally! That's really the word. Whether it was my parents' divorce or my mother's illness, it wasn't easy. I really wanted to talk about it because music allows me to express myself. I write a lot. In particular, I started to compose thanks to the others in the castle. As music has been a refuge at one point in my life, perhaps I will use it to convey messages and transmit.
Isn't the pace between classes and rehearsals too tiring?
It's a big beat, I'm not going to lie. We saw it. One day, Sofia came to wake me up in the middle of a nap because I was really tired. It's part of the game. We have special schedules. I understood that I could only have this rhythm by having the mental and physical appearance of an athlete. Now I know how to rest and use my voice when necessary. I know my limits.
“My darling was the best support in this adventure”
During this adventure, your godmother Clara Luciani played an important role. What did you think of it?
She's awesome! She is a fabulous woman and very kind. She is so simple. She taught us so many things. She told us that she is a perfectionist and very hard on herself. As a godmother, I find this very inspiring. She was truly like a big sister. She never questioned what anyone thought. She was just there to reassure us.
Which duo made the most impact on you?
There was a very quick and natural connection with Chimène Badi and Santa. I had the chance to talk a lot with them. I really feel like I made a connection with both of them. Chimène Badi wanted to teach me a lot of things and, at the same time, she listened to me a lot. Frankly, I was spoiled. This year, I've never had a duet with someone I didn't get along with. I had the chance to meet Pascal Obispo and Alyocha Schneider. They all gave me something.
If you had the chance to change something about your adventure, what would you do?
To be less sick (laughs). Unfortunately, this is something we cannot control. Honestly, I have no regrets! I couldn't have done better.
You are in a relationship with Tom for almost two years. How did you manage the distance?
It wasn't easy. I was so happy to see him again and so was he. We have a special relationship. We started our relationship long distance. Four days after our meeting, I left for a four-month internship in Canada. In the end, he perhaps saw me more than when I was in Canada (laughs). Even though we had a minute on the phone, which goes by very quickly, we managed well. Plus, he was there at almost every bonus. I saw him with his signs, each one more fun than the last. He was my best support in this adventure. I missed him.
Who do you think could win this season?
It's very complicated. When I arrived at the very first prime, I was surprised at the crazy level of the fifteen candidates. At first, it was scary. Today, in terms of vocal technique, Ebony is the one who has advanced the most. Afterwards, I start from the principle that it is the public who decides. I can't wait to see what he comes up with because the predictions change every week! It will be a nice surprise. They all deserve to win because they are all artists and hard workers.
What are your projects?
I hope to have the opportunity to tell my story in song and to introduce even more of my personality to the public. I'm going to give it my all on the tour and show something else of myself. I'm going to leave it as a surprise in the hope of announcing personal projects that will be released soon.
