France 2 is currently seeing some exciting transitions on its news team, as two notable presenters, Maya Lauqué and Sonia Chironi, step up to fill temporary roles during the holiday season. Chironi will take over the weekend evening news from Laurent Delahousse, starting this Friday, December 27, marking her first time hosting the prestigious slot. Meanwhile, Lauqué will step in to present the afternoon news at 1 PM starting Monday, December 23, taking over from Julian Bugier.
Sonia Chironi admitted feeling somewhat intimidated by her colleague Delahousse, whom she characterizes as both talented and established. "He told me, 'Come see me to discuss and ask any question you want,' but I haven't done so yet," she revealed, indicating her apprehension about stepping up to his highly regarded position.
This short stint is significant for Chironi as she has been preparing for this moment since February, utilizing various tests along the way. She stated, "These tests allow you to start without too much pressure," which has eased her nerves heading toward this major responsibility.
Like Chironi, Maya Lauqué, 45, has seen her profile rise, especially with her regular hosting duties on Télématin. Known for her warm personality and engaging stories, Lauqué, who replaced Julian Bugier this week, expressed excitement about the opportunity to take on the 1 PM news. Reflecting on her career, she shared, "With Télématin, I found the perfect exercise, allowing me to perform both news and light entertainment.”
Interestingly, both journalists find themselves at parallel points in their careers, having been experienced and notable figures on French television news for years. Lauqué's career path has been quite adventurous, moving from aspirations to be a dancer at the Paris Opera to becoming one of France's recognizable television faces.
Maya's initial dreams were to carve out a place as one of the finest dancers, yet she faced significant regret at age 17 when she declared her dreams over disappointment. "I left my hometown of Bayonne as a teenager to pursue dancing, but I gave up after my big disillusionment,” Lauqué explained. She often shares her story of having the audition period at the Paris Opera when she was only nine and continuing her education at the national conservatory of music and dance.
Despite these initial career detours, Lauqué navigated through various roles, becoming known through various media appearances. She stumbled upon her television career nearly by accident, saying, "I was asked to do some tests to adjust lighting. When I came before the camera, they said, 'You start on Monday!'
Reflecting this moment is clearly pivotal, as Lauqué credits former connections made during her previous engagements, especially her then-partner’s friends who helped fortify her opportunities to get cast for her role.
The synergy between the two female journalists and their temporary roles as news presenters is particularly notable since they share similar sentiments. After all, they have both been seasoned players within the network and have cultivated their careers remarkably well. Chironi has recently flourished following her appearances during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Recognized for her calm demeanor, she has stood out as one of their more promising journalists.
Chironi's preparations for this coveted role have undoubtedly taken some time. Her candidness when talking about her intimidation reflects the unique pressures of the profession, where seasoned hosts like Delahousse pave the way for newer faces, momentarily stepping back to allow others to thrive.
Nevertheless, Chironi is ready and optimistic as she gears up to take this role, stating, "He knows he can go on vacation, and the house will be taken care of.”
This week marks the momentous occasion where both Lauqué and Chironi will showcase their talents to French audiences, reaffirming their positions within France 2’s storied broadcasting history. It’s more than just filling in; it’s about two women leading their viewers through the news during the holidays, presenting both credibility and warmth during this busy season.
