The 2024 season of 'Star Academy' is heating up as the remaining contestants vie for spots in the upcoming semi-finals. On January 4th, the stakes were higher than ever during the thirteenth prime, where fervent performances would dictate who moves closer to victory and who would face elimination.
Ebony, already cementing her place for the semi-finals with stellar performances across various disciplines, stood out as the contestant to beat. Marguerite, who was eliminated the week prior, expressed her admiration for Ebony, stating, "For me, it’s Ebony who, across all areas, shines the brightest and most consistently. She’s never even been nominated,” showcasing the young artist's impressive run this season (Reported by Télé Loisirs).
The tension increased as the remaining four contestants—Marine, Franck, Ulysse, and Charles—took the stage, all eager to convince both the jury and the viewers of their talent and potential. The evening’s entertainment began with the quartet performing “Je ne suis qu'une chanson,” the iconic song of Ginette Reno. Although the public vote would be final, professors were also allowed to express their favorites.
Hugues Hamelynck, the theater professor, praised Charles, saying, "I was blown away tonight because there is one who is the vocal lookalike of Ginette Reno. And as crazy as it may seem, it’s you, Charles.” This acknowledgment from Hugues added pressure on the students to keep impressing.
For her performance, Marine delivered her first singing/dancing tableau of the season with Gloria Gaynor’s empowering hit “I Am What I Am,” following her recent victory in dance evaluations. She astounded the audience and judges alike, using some props and dazzling choreography to strengthen her appeal. Competing against Charles, Franck, and Ulysse, one could only wait to see if this number would earn her enough praise from the viewers.
Meanwhile, Ulysse showcased his talent with the song “Cendrillon” from the popular French rock band Téléphone. After stumbling during this week's dance evaluations, Ulysse was determined to redeem himself. His performance was noted for its passion and authenticity, as he stood among the nominees, unsure of his fate yet hopeful.
Later, Ulysse took the stage again, this time sharing the spotlight with the influencer Styleto, performing “Faut que tu m’aimes.” Despite his earlier elimination struggles, he seemed resolute, embracing the challenge as he performed alongside Styleto, strengthening his campaign for survival.
Each nominee addressed the audience during the show, adding personal touches to their pleas for votes. Ulysse humorously thanked his fans for rescuing him from elimination six times, jesting, “Without you, my adventure would have ended after the third week.” His charisma shone through, making it clear why he had received much support up to this point.
Marine, recently graduated as a dental surgeon, even promised the audience free dental cleanings but swiftly added, “Even though I’d rather be a singer.” Such entertaining banter made the evening light-hearted, allowing fans to connect with the contestants on different levels.
After all the contestants had delivered their solo and duet performances, the atmosphere grew tenser, culminating in the awaited verdict. The students performed one last number together before the announcement, creating a visually and emotionally captivating farewell.
When Nikos, the host, revealed the results, he commented, “Four students for three places. It was very close.” The tension was palpable as the audience awaited the final news, sparking suspense across the venue.
The results were finally clear: with the votes tallied, Charles, Marine, and Franck were saved by the public, meaning Ulysse had to leave the castle. Although it was sad to see him go, the relief washed over his fellow contestants, each step closer to the grand finale.
Looking forward, Ebony now has the pivotal task of selecting which contestant she will face off against during the semi-finals on January 18. With such intense performances and audience interactions, the anticipation for the semi-finals is already building. Fans are left wondering who will rise to the challenge and who will fall short as 'Star Academy' continues on its thrilling course.