Star Academy, the French reality television show, is the fouvourite-viewing for all -- young and old, bored and enthusiastic. It is the kind of show that appeals -- like Pop Idol, because it is a contest of young singers -- and the singers could be your best friend, your neighbour next door, your butcher's daughter, your hairdresser's son -- it could be you. It is broadcast daily on TF1, giving a run-down of the training they undergo, the dramas in the chateau (a decorator's worst possible nightmare of gaudy colours and bad taste) where they live for the duration of the show, the personal little angst and dreams and ambitions and fears and joys... And every Friday night there is a spectacular glitzy and glamorous show watched by millions, when they all perform - alone, and in duos with the greatest and the best professional performers, and out of the three previously nominated candidates, one is bumped off the show. Viewers from across the francophone world call in to vote for their favourites, but every week there is one less in the group that returns to the chateau. And, at the end of each season, selected contestants go on tour around France and Morroco, Switzerland, Belgium and other French-speaking countries.The show is hosted by Nikos Aliagas and to date, it has featured guest stars such as Phil Collins, Patrick Bruel, Lionel Ritchie, Johnny Halliday, Madonna, Tina Arena, Kylie Minogue, Mariah Carey, Céline Dion, Lara Fabian, Beyonce and Shania Twain. The first season of Star Ac -- we are now in Season 6 -- was won by Jenifer Bartoli from Nice, who has since become one of France's best-loved new female singers. Season 2 of Star Academy is generally regarded as the best of all five seasons, primarily because it launched some successful solo careers - not just winner Nolwenn but also Emma, who reinvented herself as France's answer to Avril Lavigne; talented singer, songwriter and producer Jeremy Chatelain who married Alizee; singer-songwriter Georges-Alain Jones; Aurelie Konate who successfully appeared in the comedie-musicale Belles Belles Belles based on the music of Claude Francois.
Series 2 had a winning combination of talents and personalities. Season 4 winner Gregory Lemarchal overcame a respiratory illness, to become the first male winner of Star Academy in France. He released his debut single "Ecris L'Histoire" and debut album "Je Deviens Moi" in France in 2005.
In Season 5 the most notable fact about the winner, Magalie, was that she attracted much attention in France because, unlike previous Star Academy participants, she was overweight. The current season, Season 6 began with 18 contestants. Nikos Aliagas continues to present the daily updates and weekly "Prime" on Fridays. Much is expected of Star Academy 6 and the focus is expected to shift from traditional chanson to "nouvelle chanson francaise" made popular by singers like Benabar, Benjamin Biolay and former Star Ac 1 contestant Olivia Ruiz. The success of rival contest Nouvelle Star -- the Pop Idol of France, has caused a rethink and the "Prime" stage at Plaine Saint-Denis is said to be bigger and better for this new series.Whatever your views on reality tv, or on the idea of taking young wannabe singers off the street and turning them into pop idols, you have to admit that it is endearing to see young raw talent evolve and turn into something resembling a polished and accomplished performance. We all love a nothing-to-something story -- we all love playing at Pygmalion -- we all love seeing someone realise their dreams.
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