On January 5, 2023, Le Journal du Dimanche revealed its much-anticipated Top 50 of favorite personalities in France, sparking excitement among fans and media alike. The survey, conducted by Ifop/Talan with over 1,000 participants, delved deep to trace the sentiments of the French public toward their favorite celebrities. This year, for the fourteenth time, legendary musician Jean-Jacques Goldman topped the list, followed closely by beloved actor Omar Sy.
This year’s rankings also introduced some fresh faces, particularly from the recent Olympic Games held in Paris. Among these rising stars is Léon Marchand, who not only won attention for his impressive performance as a four-time Olympic swimming champion but also made waves by landing at the fifth position on the list. It appears the success of the athletes has noticeably shifted public recognition, with Teddy Riner jumping up 14 places to claim the third position and relegated singer Florent Pagny to fourth.
Another significant leap was enjoyed by rugby sensation Antoine Dupont, who surged by 30 places to finish eighth. This upward trend among athletes reflects the growing impact of sports personalities, especially as the nation celebrates its Olympic heroes.
Within the television domain, the rankings were dominated by familiar faces. Host Karine Le Marchand, known for her work on 'L'Amour est dans le pré' aired on M6, placed eighteenth overall, becoming the first television figure listed. Her rise by three places is testimony to her impactful presence and advocacy for farmers' rights, making her popular with viewers.
Jean-Luc Reichmann, the host of 'Les 12 Coups de Midi' on TF1, follows closely behind at the 21st position, moving up 16 places this year. Audrey Fleurot, known for her lead role on the show HPI, also made impressive strides, moving up to 24th after 11 positions climbed. Meanwhile, celebrity chefs Philippe Etchebest and Cyril Lignac solidified their popularity by securing the 28th and 29th positions, respectively.
Other notable names included Alain Chabat, celebrated for his 'Burger Quiz' on TMC, coming in at 30th. Faustine Bollaert from France Télévisions also made the cut, landing at 38th place and up 11 positions. Notably, Stéphane Bern, another stalwart on France Télévisions, found himself at 48th, suffering the sharpest decline, down 20 places from previous rankings.
The top rankings of television stars were compiled as follows:
1. Karine Le Marchand (M6): 15th overall
2. Jean-Luc Reichmann (TF1): 21st overall
3. Audrey Fleurot (TF1): 24th overall
4. Philippe Etchebest (M6): 28th
5. Cyril Lignac (M6): 29th
6. Alain Chabat (TMC): 30th
7. Faustine Bollaert (France Télévisions): 38th
8. Stéphane Bern (France Télévisions): 48th
This year's survey also provided comparisons with prior rankings, particularly highlighting the preferences revealed in the TV Magazine survey released late December. According to previous data, Faustine Bollaert claimed the title of the most beloved host over Nikos Aliagas and Karine Le Marchand, with Reichmann, Lignac, and Etchebest rounding out the top positions.
Overall, the Top 50 list not only reflects the shifting dynamics of celebrity within France's cultural fabric but also captures the nation's sentiment and connection with public figures both on and off-screen. The findings reiterate how sports achievements, particularly during Olympic seasons, can significantly influence popularity ratings among the public.