Once once more, Eloi Cummings won the audience votes for “Star Academy” on Sunday night, and he is likely to win the final next Sunday.
Krystel Mongeau was protected by the teachers and strangely reached the final without ever having been acclaimed by the public.
The Academicians opened the evening with the song “Star Académie”, accompanied by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and twenty members of the Orchester Métropolitain (OM).
Alex Reed artistic director, the maestro designed a symphonic party during which he revisited some of his favorite songs. Krystel and Camélia opened the number with “Encore un soir” by Céline Dion. We also heard “Tighthrope”, “Gigi in Paradisco”, “Aimer d’amour”, “Miami”, the versions of Diane Tell and Ariane Moffatt, as well as “I Feel Love”.
Eloi and Olivier took the opportunity to wink at their limited dancing talent, a reproach often heard from teachers.
Eloi Cummings is the first semi-finalist to take to the stage to perform “The Beggar’s Opera” by Nicola Ciccone. Accompanied by his guitar, he was super convincing. “Tonight, I really saw a man on stage, present, strong and solid,” analyzed Guylaine Tremblay.
With “I don’t love you anymore”, Krystel Mongeau literally gave all her heart. “We love you more and more,” Marc Dupré told him. Gregory Charles then repeated to him how much the teachers have been dazzled by his talent since the beginning of this adventure. “Technique and voice, extraordinary,” he added. But there was, in addition, an emotional charge out of the ordinary.
On the advice of the teachers, Olivier Bergeron hoped to pass in the final with “The voice that I have”, by Offenbach. A performance started in piano-voice before a more rock crescendo. “Olivier is the quintessence of someone who understood what “Star Académie” was, he really found his way,” exclaimed Lara Fabian, visibly impressed by the path taken by the Academician.
Finally, Camélia Zaki gave a masterful interpretation of “I am sick”, by Serge Lama. Marc Dupré was proud to remind her that she had been part of his team at “La Voix Junior”, a few years ago. “I am very moved, Guylaine Tremblay also told him. It’s not enough to sing with your vocal cords, you also have to sing with your body and your heart. That’s what an interpreter is.”
The four semi-finalists then performed “Aimons-nous”, by Yvon Deschamps, to surprise Guylaine Tremblay, who is currently on tour with a show composed of songs by Quebecers’ favorite comedian.
Straight from his native Louisiana, Zachary Richard shared his great successes with the Academicians. The opening of the four in harmony on “Working is too hard” was magnificent. He then revisited “Cap enrage” with Krystel, “Full moon in December” with Olivier, “Au bord du Lac Bijou” with Camélia, before finishing with “La ballade de Jean Batailleur” with Eloi.
“Star Académie” was the scene of a particular marriage proposal. Alain had lost sight of Danièle, the young woman he had noticed in high school. Years later, following being married on their own, they found each other and are now enjoying perfect happiness. The surprise was total for the future bride, who obviously accepted the request.
After winning “La Voix” in 2020, Josiane Comeau is back on the front of the stage with a first original extract from an upcoming album, “Last in Line”, of which she is co-author.
The fifteen Academicians will meet for a graduation party, in the middle of the week, before the grand finale, next Sunday.
Last year, “Star Académie” was a unique experience for Yannick Nézet-Séguin. “It allowed us to create even more links with the world of popular music, he said in an interview. Coming back here was like being reunited with my family. Being in contact with the talents of this year, it warmed my heart. The conductor went to visit the Academicians in Waterloo during the week and came away amazed. “They have very diverse talents, each one has their own personality despite their youth, it’s amazing to see that.” Through his number, he chose to show that a symphony orchestra can adapt to all styles of music. “Perhaps people don’t know that what they hear is violin, cello, trumpet… I would very much like to do a complete show with this kind of songs, it’s is one of my dreams. In the meantime, Yannick Nézet-Séguin will be back in concert with OM next May.
Josiane Comeau won the last edition of “La Voix”, in 2020. It took two years before she released her first original song. “After winning, there was the pandemic, she explained. I also wanted to take my time to release something that looks like me. I didn’t necessarily know myself as an artist. We made the journey to discover my essence, we tried a lot of styles, from country to pop. The young woman, originally from New Brunswick, is really proud to present “Last in line”, a song she co-wrote. “When I started writing, it came out on its own in both languages. It makes a nod to my language, Chiac, it was really natural.”
Saved by the public
Eloi Cummings, 16, Magdalen Islands
Saved by the teachers
Krystel Mongeau, 25 ans, Sherbrooke
The daily “Star Académie” is presented, Monday to Thursday, at 7:30 p.m., on TVA.
