The excitement ramped up on December 13, 2024, as Star Academy 2024 hosted its tenth prime time broadcast on TF1. With only seven contestants left vying for the coveted first-place spot, the tension was palpable as four hopefuls - Ulysse, Maïa, Marguerite, and Marine - were named at risk of elimination. This week's performances at the Château de Dammarie-les-Lys had been intense, showcasing the students' growth and dedication as they prepared for this pivotal moment.
On this evening, the stated goal was clear: the contestants had to impress not only their professors but the public, as their fate would be determined entirely through popular vote. "Cette semaine, la compétition s'intensifie !" (This week, the competition intensifies!), proclaimed Michaël Goldman, the director of Star Academy, setting the tone for what lay ahead.
The contestants had been hard at work since their last prime on December 7, where they showcased their musical talents during the special musical edition. Each student had the opportunity to shine, with performances ranging from emotional ballads to upbeat duets, all intended to win the audience's hearts. Following the evaluations, professors had immunized three contestants - Franck, Ebony, and Charles - which meant they were safe from elimination this week.
With Marine, Maïa, Marguerite, and Ulysse facing public scrutiny, emotions ran high. During this prime, competitors had kickstarted the evening by singing together the iconic song "Mourir sur scène" by Dalida. Each student, following the group performance, took to the spotlight to defend their place. Ulysse and Maïa dazzled the crowd with a medley alongside Kendji Girac, performing his hit songs, "Andalouse" and "Si seulement," which impressed audiences and judges alike.
Marguerite showcased her vocal finesse with Ulysse during their heartwarming rendition of "À ma place" by Axel Bauer and Zazie. Meanwhile, Maïa's soulful duet of "Eternal Flame" with Marine swirled with emotion, wrapping the audience's feeling of friendship among the contestants.
Performance highlights included Franck's moving rendition of Jacques Brel's "Ne me quitte pas," which left Hugues Hamelynck, the theatre professor, emotionally overwhelmed. "Je suis détruit, tu m'as fracassé Franck, ce que tu as fait là c'est extraordinaire" (I'm destroyed, you shattered me Franck, what you did there is extraordinary), he remarked, underscoring the depth of Franck's performance.
Despite the warmth of camaraderie, tension loomed. Following the performances, Nikos Aliagas, the show's host, reminded everyone of the night's grim reality. "Tous les quatre une dernière fois, pour le plaisir du partage. L'un de nos quatre nommés quittera l'aventure dans quelques secondes" (All four of you one last time, for the joy of sharing. One of our four nominees will leave the adventure shortly), he announced, heightening the suspense as the results prepared to be revealed.
The clock ticked, and after moments filled with suspense, the public votes poured in. With heavy hearts and anxious anticipation, the finalists awaited news of who would depart the competition. The atmosphere thick with emotion, results unveiled the unfortunate news: Maïa, beloved by her peers and professors, garnered the least votes. The cheers of her friends waned as they wept for their departing contender.
With the conclusion of this week's prime, the remaining six contestants are reminded of the competition's unflinching nature and the tightrope they must walk to stay within the show's confines. Ebony, Franck, Marguerite, Marine, Charles, and Ulysse will continue their quest, but for Maïa, the dream ended tonight, leaving behind the echo of her talents.
Fans are left to wonder what the next primes will hold as the competition narrows down each week. With holiday spirit looming and the coming finale tantalizingly close, anticipation builds among viewers. The competition is far from over, and next week promises even more surprises as viewers prepare to tune back to TF1 for the next installment of Star Academy.
