Philippe LeBouthillier from Pont-Landry and Randy McGraw from Tracadie are among the 18 candidates vying to participate in the new season of Star Académie in 2025.
The team of the popular musical reality TV show on TVA revealed the identity of the 18 new contestants for the next season during a large gathering at the Videotron Center in Quebec. Two Acadians are part of this new cohort. For Philippe LeBouthillier, it’s a dream come true. The singer from Pont-Landry (regional municipality of Tracadie) who was born in 2003, the year of Wilfred LeBouthillier’s victory at Star Académie, grew up in the excitement of Wilfredmania which then took over the region. At home, the whole family watched the show diligently. He loves the concept of this reality TV.
“It’s definitely a dream because it’s also big for me as I grew up in the hype of Star Academie, but also for my family. I make them proud by doing this because they are super big fans of Star Académie and I’m happy that I can give them that,” he said in an interview the day after the unveiling of the 18 candidates.
Philippe LeBouthillier is delighted to see that two Acadians from the same city are on the show.
“It’s always fun because every year at Star Ac there are always people from New Brunswick, and it shows that there is great talent in our country.”
The 21-year-old singer-songwriter is a regular on TV singing competitions. After a stint on La Voix Junior, he shone on the show The Voice Kids in France in 2019, ranking in the list of the four best singers. The artist who moved to the Montreal area two years ago to pursue post-secondary training in pop music feels more confident about this new television adventure.
“When you’re young and you don’t have any musical education as such, you rely on your natural talent. But sometimes you can’t always rely on that, and now I have more of a confidence, a musical foundation rather than just luck. […] It’s a bit like my first big step in my career as an adult, that’s also the difference,” expressed the man who tried his luck at the pre-auditions in 2022.
This time, he considers himself better prepared, letting his vulnerability and his emotions show more when he sings. He feels comfortable with the team and the candidates. He feels much less stressed than during the days of La Voix Junior.
“It’s like making peace a little with my career in the sense that it’s the first time that I feel good with others too, less embarrassed, there’s less pressure in that sense.”
An experience he describes as magical. The candidates met the director of the Académie Garou and teachers Émily Bégin, Pierre Lapointe and Véronic Dicaire.
“They are so fine, professional, then […] we rehearse songs together, you see that they are ready to help us […]. They all know us, they all watched our auditions, even before we entered the academy. They take their job to heart.”
Inspired by artists like Zachary Richard, 1755 and Lisa LeBlanc, Philippe LeBouthillier intends to highlight his Acadian culture during the show.
Philippe LeBouthillier – Courtesy
Randy McGraw – Courtesy
A new chapter
The day after the candidates were revealed, country-rock singer Randy McGraw was happy to finally be able to announce it to the public. The artist who had a very wonderful evening hopes to enter the Academy next January. The Acadian singer who made it to the round of Voice duels in 2023, sees his adventure at Star Académie as a new chapter in his musical journey. It was former academician Joannie Benoît who encouraged him to submit his application.
Since the birth of his daughter, the singer had put his musical career on hold for a more stable job in the carpentry field. The 25-year-old musician, who has been performing professionally since he was a teenager, started playing drums at the age of 3. His major influences vary from Johnny Cash to John Fogerty via Elvis, Keith Urban, Marc à Paul à Jos, Salebarbes and Led Zeppelin. Although he mainly composes in English, he has written a few pieces in French. When he arrived at Star Académie, he felt well surrounded by the team and the other candidates. Even if he hopes to get as far as possible in the adventure, he trusts life and does not create too many expectations. Being in front of the cameras 24 hours a day doesn’t scare him. On the contrary, he loves this kind of intense experience.
“I’m really curious. Then I’m someone who likes discipline too, so if it keeps me busy, I love it…I’ll have to get used to wearing pajamas,” he jokes.
From January 13 to 16, the public will be able to discover more about the candidates with the En route vers Star Académie series. The film crew and faculty members traveled to the different regions where the candidates live. Hosted by Jean-Philippe Dion, the first Variétés will be broadcast live on January 19. At the end of this show, only 14 candidates will board the bus. A new free, online voting system will be put in place.
