Marlène Schaff (“Star Academy”): “I lost my voice”

From coach to stage expression teacher, Marlène Schaff has won the hearts of “Star Academy” students and viewers!

BENJAMIN DECOIN / SIPA

Published on 02/11/2024 at 10:15

By Lenny Verhelle

PourCiné-Télé-Revue

How did this position come to you?

I didn’t apply. A season that ends is like a show that ends: you never know if you’re going to be cast again. This is the artist’s life! When the production called me back, I thought they were asking me to come back as a rehearsal assistant, then they offered me this new role, and I fell from 17^e floor ! For the first season, I auditioned – at their request, I never asked anyone – as a singing, stage expression and rehearsal teacher. As the work of a répétiteur was a job that I had already been doing for many years, I was initially chosen for that.

What put you on the path to coaching?

When I was just a singer, I lost my voice, I got injured, I had to do vocal rehabilitation. I then discovered the secrets of my instrument, and it became obvious that I absolutely had to learn to teach to help others who found themselves in the same situation as me. I love helping people step into the light, manage their stage fright, and find the tools to make them feel good technically. And then, the artists I’m a fan of, my role models, they do that too: they’re on stage, and when they’re not, they teach. I think it’s great!

Cécile Chaduteau, stage expression teacher before you, was very popular with the public. How did the handover go?

With Cécile, we have worked in the TV industry for a very long time, so we know how it happens. There’s no such thing as permanent contracts! It has nothing to do with us, it is what it is. So there is no hard feelings. I have nothing but love for her, and I know how much she impacted the post, so I really tried to honor her by remaining very humble.

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Have you kept in touch with former students of “Star Ac’”?

Of course ! I’m always there for them, I love seeing what they do, seeing them become the artists they are, listening to their songs. Besides, the first one to whom I announced my “promotion” was Helena! I was a little naughty, because I wasn’t allowed to say it, but I didn’t want her to find out from anyone other than me, so I asked her to keep the secret. She then shouted on the phone: “Oh dear, but the plot twist! » She made me burst out laughing.

It can’t be easy for new students to move on after their year…

So yes, but I want to tell you that as an artist, it’s a situation in which we constantly find ourselves. We must constantly reinvent ourselves, prove that we deserve our place. Some are waiting for you, but if you are sincere on stage, you manage to touch people’s hearts.

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Is it possible to repeat the feat?

When we think of past seasons of “Star Academy”, we think of Jenifer, Nolwenn Leroy, Elodie Frégé and Grégory Lemarchal. All these people were part of different seasons. So, obviously!

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