On Friday evening, April 25, 2025, Lénie emerged victorious in the 14th edition of "Danse avec les Stars," showcasing her talent alongside partner Jordan Mouillerac. The finale, which kicked off around 9:15 PM, featured an electrifying atmosphere as host Camille Combal introduced the event with excitement, declaring, "Tonight it’s France vs. Brazil! Everything must disappear, tomorrow the shop is closed!"
Lénie, who recently celebrated her 20th birthday and gained fame through "Star Academy" in 2023, opened the show with a vibrant freestyle performance to Shakira's "Waka Waka." Her routine set the bar high, earning her three perfect scores of 10 and a 9 from the judges. "It was done to perfection," praised judge Jean-Marc Généreux, while Chris Marques noted, "What an incredible start! I’m very impressed," despite mentioning some "moments of tension" in her performance.
Following Lénie's impressive opening, swimmers Florent Manaudou and Elsa Blois took the stage with a heartfelt freestyle to Serge Lama's "Je suis malade." Their performance, dedicated to a friend who had recently passed away, was emotionally charged but did not entirely convince the judges, resulting in scores of 10 from Généreux, while Marques and another judge awarded them 9s and an 8.
Next up, footballer Adil Rami and partner Ana Riera performed a freestyle to Stromae's "Papaoutai," which captivated the judges and earned them three 10s, with Marques giving them an 8. "Adil has become Fauve Hautot," exclaimed Camille Combal, highlighting the player's remarkable progress throughout the competition.
As the competition progressed, Lénie and Jordan returned for their second performance, this time a waltz that was anything but traditional. Their routine displayed incredible sensuality and sensitivity, moving judge Fauve Hautot to tears. "It was a waltz like we rarely see on this floor," she exclaimed, giving them a 10, a sentiment echoed by Marques, who also awarded them the top score.
In contrast, Florent and Elsa donned cowboy hats for their jive performance to Kenny Loggins' "Footloose." Although they delivered an entertaining routine, the judges were less impressed, awarding them three 9s and an 8.
With the competition heating up, Adil and Ana attempted to pull off a "heist of the century" with their quickstep to "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love." Their humorous approach charmed the judges, resulting in two 10s and two 9s. However, despite their strong performance, Adil was eliminated shortly after 11 PM, leaving Lénie and Florent to battle it out for the title.
The final dance of the night was a crucial moment, as it would determine the winner based solely on public votes. Lénie chose to perform a rumba to "L'Hymne à l'amour," stating, "This was the first dance where we truly connected." Meanwhile, Florent and Elsa showcased their season's choreography to "Time of My Life," which ended dramatically with them drenched in water.
As the clock approached 11:45 PM, the atmosphere was tense. Camille Combal held the envelope that would reveal the season's champion. In a thrilling conclusion, Lénie and Jordan were announced as the winners, securing a staggering 69% of the public vote. This victory marked the largest margin in the show's history, making Lénie only the fourth woman to win "Danse avec les Stars" in 14 seasons, joining the ranks of previous winners like Shy'm, Alizée, and Natasha St-Pier.
Throughout the competition, Florent Manaudou's journey was particularly noteworthy. Elsa Bois, his partner, reflected on his progress, stating he started "very far" in the competition but transformed into a skilled dancer. She noted the pivotal moment during their week 4 rumba, where he seemed to unlock a new confidence. "He became a true showman," she recalled, particularly highlighting their samba performance to "Je danse le Mia" in week 8.
Despite the competitive spirit, Florent's emotional connection to the show was evident, especially during his freestyle performance where he revealed he was dancing for a childhood friend whose funeral he had missed that day. "I chose to dance for him tonight instead of attending his funeral. I hope he felt my performance," he shared, prompting an outpouring of support and admiration from the audience and judges alike.
Mel Charlot, another judge, expressed her admiration for Florent's dedication, saying, "Florent, I remember when Chris and I came to the studio, and you said how much you really love dancing. It touched me to hear that." Jean-Marc Généreux echoed this sentiment, praising Florent for his intensity and the freedom he displayed during his performances.
As the curtain fell on the 14th season of "Danse avec les Stars," viewers were left with unforgettable performances, emotional moments, and the inspiring journey of contestants who transformed on the dance floor. Lénie's triumph was celebrated not just for her talent but also for the joy and energy she brought to the competition, making her a deserving winner in a season filled with passion and artistry.
