The much-anticipated 2024 Tour of Star Academy made its debut on February 21, 2025, and it hasn't taken long for fans to voice their opinions—both enthusiastic and negative. From the very start, the tour has incited heated debates, particularly concerning changes made to the setlist and how the organizers are managing interactiveness with their fans.
At the center of the fan outrage is the management decision to modify the originally noted performances. Many fans have criticized the inclusion of Maureen, who was unexpectedly added to the duet of "Unholy," which was initially performed by Franck and Ebony during the semi-finals of the preceding season. Fans took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, igniting another wave of criticism echoing sentiments they share from the last year's tour.
Lucie Bernardoni, the beloved coach and répétitrice from Star Academy, took the opportunity to defend the young participants amid the social media backlash. "De jeunes artistes de la Star Academy qui reçoivent des messages de haine pour les chansons d’une set list. Ou de la haine tout court. Certains se rendent-ils compte du ridicule de la situation? La musique réunit. Elle ne divise pas. On se calme," she urged, highlighting the unmerited scrutiny directed at the performers over mere artistic choices. Her words served both as encouragement to the students and as admonition to the fans, calling for maturity and unity instead of division.
Compounding the ire was the effectiveness of ticket sales for meet-and-greet packages, costing around 150 euros. This package afforded fans the chance to meet the Star Academy contestants prior to the performances and ostensibly enjoy access to behind-the-scenes content, including photographs and autographs. Regrettably, numerous fans who purchased these premium tickets felt cheated as the interaction time with their idols was narrowly limited. One disgruntled fan lamented, "L’année dernière déjà, on nous pressait. On s’attendait à la même chose, mais c’est encore pire, pour un prix qui augmente et une offre moins bien," referring to the pressures and constraints faced during previous interactions compared to now.
This intense discontent does not appear to have soured the opening night for the actual performance. The excitement saw the venue at Épernay filled to capacity, and the nine contestants—Marine, Ebony, Franck, Ulysse, Maïa, Charles, Marguerite, Emma, and Maureen—took to the stage with energy and enthusiasm. There were resounding cheers from the crowd as they embarked on their extensive tour, which aims to cover notable cities across France, Belgium, and Switzerland.
Despite the fervent complaints, early feedback for the live performances has been surprisingly positive. Fans of the Star Academy expressed their amusement and admiration for the elaborate showings on social platforms following the inaugural concert. Tweets of wonder and excitement erupted as those who attended shared their experiences, noting, "Les tableaux proposés" detailed how gripped they felt by the standout performances of their favorite contestants. The tour will stretch over several weeks, and participants expect to build on this momentum garnered by the opening night.
Yet, as the elements of the show roll out, the concerns of ticket holders linger. There is hope within the fanbase for future improvements to meet-and-greet experiences and greater inclusivity during interactions, ensuring they feel valued and appreciated for the investment made. The happiness of the viewers is seen as pivotal as they navigate through the highs and lows of this new musical chapter for the Star Academy contestants.
With the Star Academy Tour underway and successfully launching performances, fans are poised to brace for whatever else may arise, balancing their desire for engagement with their expectations for quality entertainment. The coming weeks promise insights and surprises, ensuring the spotlight stays on the contestants as they evolve and flourish along this mesmerizing musical voyage.