On Friday, March 28, 2025, the popular French dance competition show Danse avec les stars returned to TF1 with a special prime time episode featuring the much-anticipated "battle of the judges." Following the elimination of Frank Lebœuf the previous week, eight couples remained in the competition, each ready to dazzle the audience with their dance skills.
This unique episode saw each judge—Chris Marques, Jean-Marc Généreux, Mel Charlot, and Fauve Hautot—take on the role of coach for two duos of dancers, creating a dynamic atmosphere as they prepared their teams for the competition. The format was straightforward: the scores for the two couples from each team would be summed up, and the team with the highest total would secure their place in the next prime, while the lowest-scoring team faced potential elimination.
Adding an extra layer of excitement, renowned choreographer Kamel Ouali joined the judging panel for this episode. Known for his controversial methods, Ouali replaced the judge who was on stage dancing with their team for each performance. His presence was highly anticipated, but it quickly became clear that his scoring would stir up some strong reactions.
During the evening, Lénie took on the jive challenge, performing alongside her partner Jordan Mouillerac and judge Jean-Marc Généreux. The performance was a test of skill, energy, and teamwork, and it did not go unnoticed by the judges. Généreux expressed his admiration, stating, "I have never held the hand of a celebrity with so much talent." Both Fauve Hautot and Mel Charlot awarded Lénie the maximum score of 10, showcasing their appreciation for her performance.
However, Kamel Ouali's evaluation took a different turn. Despite acknowledging the complexity of the jive, he critiqued Lénie's performance for a perceived drop in energy and noted that she struggled with a lift executed by Généreux. "When we dance, we should never feel the difficulty," Ouali remarked, ultimately giving her a score of 7. This rating shocked not only Lénie but also her fellow judges and the audience.
Chris Marques, who is known for his strict judging style, was visibly taken aback by Ouali’s score. "What? Wow, what an injustice!" he exclaimed, highlighting the disparity between Ouali's harsh critique and the scores given by the other judges. Host Camille Combal humorously noted, "Kamel, you managed to shock Chris, that’s never happened before!"
The audience's reaction mirrored that of Marques, as they booed Ouali's score. Social media was ablaze with comments from viewers expressing their disbelief. One user on X wrote, "Kamel a 7???? But ciao?? An 8 at most, but it deserved between 9 and 10! She lifted two men who weigh double her weight!" Another user questioned Ouali's authority to give such a low score, saying, "Who is he to give a 7 to Lénie?"
Despite the controversy surrounding her score, Lénie finished the night with a total of 36 points, placing her at the top of the leaderboard for the time being. The tension between the judges and the unexpected scoring from Ouali ensured that this episode would be remembered, as it highlighted the differing perspectives within the judging panel.
As the competition heats up, Danse avec les stars continues to captivate audiences with its blend of talent, drama, and unexpected twists. The battle of the judges not only tested the skills of the celebrity dancers but also showcased the dynamic and sometimes contentious relationships among the judges themselves. With each passing week, the stakes get higher, and viewers are left wondering who will rise to the occasion and who might face elimination next.
