Jenifer, Nolwenn Leroy, Elodie Frégé… What happened to the winners of Star Academy?

“The moment comes when Nikos [Aliagas, NDLR] makes the suspense last to finally announce the public’s vote. I don’t understand anything anymore, I cry, I laugh, we all kiss, we hug each other tightly, Nikos repeats my name nine times until I finally figured out what was going on.” On May 14, 2021, Jenifer looked back on the incredible adventure that changed her life. 20 years ago, the singer was the last candidate selected among 15 other lucky ones to join the castle of Dammarie-les-Lys, on the occasion of the launch of Star Academy.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of tele-hook, TF1 broadcast a documentary event. Alexia Laroche-Joubert, the director and producer of the program, professors Kamel Ouali and Armande Altaï and former students returned to this “incredible television adventure which marked viewers and the entire PAF”, indicated the channel in a press release Press. Later in the fall of 2021, they met at the musical Seine for three big evenings hosted by Nikos Aliagas, bringing together 3 to 4 million nostalgic people in front of their post.

With its concept between musical competition and reality TV where viewers followed the daily life of the “academicians” of this school to Fame, the Star Academy marked the history of television. Under the eye of 41 cameras, the candidates notably took dance and singing lessons in order to become stars. None of their actions, romances and arguments, included, escaped the 11,820,000 viewers in attendance for the Season 1 finale.

Almost ten years after the last edition (on NRJ12), Star Academy returns to TF1 this Saturday, October 15. A tenth edition directed by Michaël Goldman and sponsored by the English artist Robbie Williams, which will also see the return of former candidates, such as Jenifer present at the launch party to welcome the new promotion. Before discovering them, Star Academy has seen the birth of great artists of French song. Others, on the other hand, had much more ephemeral careers. For you, Planet looks back on the fate of the nine winners of the most-watched variety show in PAF history.