Danse avec les stars has officially returned for its 14th season on February 7, 2025, captivating fans after the dramatic finale of the previous year. The much-anticipated premiere was hosted by Camille Combal, infusing the show with renewed energy as it launched another season of dance rivalry.
The prior season concluded with singer Natasha St-Pier taking the trophy alongside her partner, Anthony Colette, generating much discussion and some controversies. This year, expectations are high as competitors bring their skill and star power to the dance floor.
This season's lineup features a stellar cast, including well-known personalities such as Sophie Davant, Olympic swimmer Florent Manaudou, journalists Nelson Monfort and Claude Dartois, and singers Julie Zenatti and Lénie Vacher. Davant, who has expressed excitement about participating, stated, "I thought it was time for me to join this competition and step out from behind the scenes as a host.”
“He is charming, he seems very patient, he's handsome and pedagogical,” Davant remarked about her dance partner Nicolas Archambault during her appearance on Culture Médias, illustrating her optimism for the competition.
Despite this enthusiasm, she also candidly admitted her challenges: "I had the feeling I was quite the dancer but realized it's quite hard to learn choreography well. My dance level is about 3.5 out of 10,” she added with self-deprecative humor.
The show maintains some familiar faces behind the judges' panel. This season sees the return of Fauve Hautot, Mel Charlot, Chris Marques, and Jean-Marc Généreux, who have agreed to preside over the contestants' performances once more. Their authority will be pivotal as the duos navigate the competitive waters of ballroom dancing.
For the premiere, six duos took to the stage. The format dictates there will be no eliminations during the first two weeks, allowing fans to adjust to the new pairs. The duo scoring the lowest during these rounds will face off against another low-scoring pair on the third prime, setting the stage for the season's first elimination.
Viewers can reminisce over past seasons when contestants were frequently eliminated early, no matter their physical fitness or public popularity. For example, last year's contestant Caroline Margeridon faced elimination at the first opportunity, much to the shock of her supporters.
Earlier seasons have showcased heavy-hitting competitors like champion judoka David Douillet and football star Djibril Cissé, reinforcing the idea within the franchise: it's not just about athletic ability, but how well the stars can adapt to dancing on stage.
"We will be around for quite some weeks,” Rémy Faure, director of programming at TF1 noted, emphasizing viewers' long-term engagement as the season progresses. With the competition slated to run until at least late April, fans can anticipate much growth and many surprises from the contestants.
Viewers of Danse avec les stars can also look forward to the personal anecdotes and backstage stories woven throughout the competition, adding another layer of intrigue as contestants navigate their emotional journeys amid pressure.
With the first episode complete, fans have much to discuss, from the complexity of the dances to the emotional bearings of the participants—a blend of entertainment and heartwarming tales. Audiences will surely be glued to their screens, eager to see who emerges as the beloved champion of this new season.
Drawing from last season's emotional turmoil and fierce competition, this iteration of Danse avec les stars promises to be as riveting as the last. Stay tuned as the show's magic continues to enchant viewers, with the challenges, triumphs, and intricacies of dance shining brightly on TF1.