“Star Academy”. Ebony qualifies for the final. We summarize this second semi-final for you

It was an expected duel. Two weeks ago, Ebony chose Franck as his opponent in the semi-final of the Star Academy . A choice “symbolic”assumed by the young singer. Viewers of TF1 were therefore able to attend an unprecedented semi-final this Saturday evening, since it was the first time in the history of the show that two black people faced each other at this level of the adventure. If Ebony finally qualified to join Marine in the final next week, the show was put on by the two young singers throughout this musical evening.

To support the semi-finalists, who opened the evening in a shower of glitter and disco steps on the title Last Dance by Donna Summer, former academic stars were back. Those of this 2024 class first of all. Julie and Marguerite were notably in the audience, alongside Franck for the first and Ebony for the second. But two old faces of the program were also present remotely. Houcine, from season 2, took the temperature of Franck’s fans in Bagneux (Hauts-de-Seine), when Mathieu Johann, semi-finalist of season 4, gave the floor to Ebony’s supporters on the island Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis).

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Serial clashes and intense performances

In order to decide between the two students, the public was able to enjoy numerous vocal numbers. Franck and Ebony first each sang a song with Zaz, who we will find in the role of coach in The Voice from 1^is next February. Then the two academicians took up the challenge of a sexy sung-dance scene on the title Unholy by Sam Smith. A fiery and convincing performance for both opponents, even if Ebony continues to do well with ease in this type of exercise.

The two friends subsequently competed as a duet on the song Rolling in the deep of Adele. A technical title, which they were able to grasp with talent. Enough to delight director Michael Goldman, more cheerful than ever, who welcomed this “fight of the top of the class” and taunted Nikos: “You wanted the elite, we sent you the elite!” »

After their duet, each semi-finalist was able to perform their big solo. The modest Franck, who holds the record for ranking in the top 3 in the evaluations, stood out on As they say by Charles Aznavour. Ebony, who was never nominated this season, performed do not judge me by Camille Lellouche. A title which was not chosen by chance by the young academic who has suffered a wave of racist and sexist harassment on social networks since the start of the adventure. For the occasion, the singer was surrounded by a troupe of black dancers with shaved heads. Another first in the history of Star Academy, which brought tears to the eyes of Ebony and many people in the audience.

Franck and Ebony finally shared a final duet at the end of the evening, just before the final result. To close this bonus, the two friends sang, gently, Because it’s you by Axelle Red.

Marine at the center of the evening

Already qualified for the final, Marine had a calmer evening than her two opponents but was not in the lurch. She even occupied an important place, since she shared the stage several times with her two competitors, in order to get a taste of the final. Marine first gave voice with Ebony, on Without you by Mariah Carey. A duo of divas who knew how to hit the right and high notes of this timeless hit.

After the vocal power of Ebony, Marine experienced Franck’s strength of interpretation by singing for the first time alongside him on the title It is written by Francis Cabrel, under a shower of rose petal confetti.

Above all, Marine accompanied her comrades on the piano during the Message personnelthe emotional sequence of the evening. A text written and recited by each semi-finalist for their loved ones, or the public, followed by a song. Finally, the young northerner also sang with Zaz, before starting a duet with the French group Cats on Trees, on the title Sirens Call.

The stars, always present

During the evening, punctuated by superb choreographed scenes, the music stars came to share the stage with the academics. The internationally renowned singer, Youssou N’Dour, for example, performed his hit 7 seconds with Ebony, facing whom he said “impressed by his maturity”.

Singer Marc Lavoine also took to the stage to sing his song She has gun eyes alongside Franck. “I was very happy to sing with him. He has doubts and fighting beliefs. He’s a good guy.”slipped the artist, before greeting Ebony’s father, Thierry Cham, in the audience.

The return of Charles

By gaining the advantage in the final evaluations, Ebony won the opportunity to perform a duet with the former student of her choice. The academic chose to bring back the Breton Charles, eliminated last Saturday against Marine, with whom she had never had the opportunity to sing. Always as accomplices, the two academicians offered a powerful and elegant performance on the title Writing’s on The Wall by Sam Smith, the soundtrack to the James Bond film, Spectre.

Read also: INTERVIEW. Charles from “Star Academy”: “Yes, I would like to release a song”

Ebony qualified by the public

Just before midnight, the verdict fell, without much suspense. While we could fear the curse of the good student, the public nevertheless decided to send Ebony to the final against Marine. Eliminated, Franck said he was both relieved and disappointed but “no regrets. For the show lover that I am, this Marine-Ebony poster in the final is not bad”. See you next Saturday, January 25, at 9:10 p.m. TF1 for the 100% female grand final of the Star Academy.