Star Academy winners music careers, Digi Mart USA News: All of the winners of the French television singing competition Star Academy are set to appear on the stage of the next prime-time broadcast on TF1 this Friday from 9:10 p.m., where the memory of Grégory Lemarchal, who died in 2007, will be honored. Even Laurène Bourvon, who won the only season broadcast on NRJ 12, will take part.
Jenifer won the first edition of Star Academy, and on January 12, 2027, it will mark twenty-five years since that victory. In the time since, she has built a solid career with hits such as “Au soleil,” “J’attends l’amour” and “Ma révolution,” as well as the song “Je danse” and a substantial collection of gold and platinum records.
She also coached on several seasons of The Voice. On December 4, she will release DJ, an album of covers of songs by Dalida, including “Paroles, paroles,” which she performs as a duet with Nikos Aliagas.
Nolwenn Leroy, who turns 44 this year, won Season 2 of Star Academy. Her debut album, Nolwenn, was produced with collaborators including Pascal Obispo, Laurent Voulzy and Lara Fabian and was a success, carried by the song “Cassé.” However, her fourth album, Bretonne, released in 2010, remains her biggest hit to date, with more than 1.5 million copies sold.
Her latest album, La Cavale, dates from 2021. In recent years she has become known as an actress, starring in the TF1 series Brocéliande in 2024 and appearing this year in the cast of L’été 36.
Next year, she will play the lead role in Il ne se passe jamais rien ici.
Élodie Frégé, winner of Season 3 of Star Academy, earned a gold record with her self-titled debut album released in 2004. Her biggest success came with Le Jeu des 7 erreurs, made with Benjamin Biolay, which includes her hit “La Ceinture.” The 44-year-old artist has not released an album since Amuse Bouches in 2013.
She has since served as a judge on Nouvelle Star on D8 from 2014 to 2016 and appeared as an investigator on Mask Singer in 2003. On October 23 of this year, she released “Avant (Qu’il ne soit trop tard),” a duet with her Star Ac classmate Patxi Garat.
Grégory Lemarchal, winner of Season 4 of Star Academy, died prematurely in 2007 at age 23 from complications of cystic fibrosis. His death deeply affected the public and the French variety music community.
During his lifetime, in 2005, he released the studio album Je deviens moi, which was certified double platinum. La Voix d’un ange, which sold one million copies (diamond certification), was released posthumously in 2007.
His loved ones keep his memory alive through the Grégory Lemarchal association, which fights cystic fibrosis. Since the show’s return to air, Star Academy has paid tribute to him during each season.
Magalie Vaé won Season 5 of Star Academy and released a first album in 2006 that did not achieve the success she had hoped for. She had to wait until 2014 to release a second album, following contract issues with her record label.
She continues to perform more intimate concerts and this year, at age 39, released an EP, Ma Victoire.
Cyril Cinélu won the final of Season 6 of Star Academy and has released only one solo album, Jusqu’à moi, in 2007. In the early 2010s he temporarily lived in London and auditioned for the British competition X Factor, but his journey ended at the “boot camp” stage.
In 2019, he appeared on stage at the Paradis Latin in L’oiseau paradis, a show choreographed by Kamel Ouali.
Quentin Mosimann won Season 7 of Star Academy but left variety music behind along with his first name. During the 2010s he developed an internationally recognized career as a DJ.
In 2020 he produced and composed several tracks on Grand Corps Malade’s album Mesdames. The two have also written several songs for Céline Dion’s upcoming album.
The 38-year-old is the director of the current season of Star Academy.
Mickels Réa, who turns 43 this year, won the eighth season of Star Academy but did not turn that victory into a solo career. He briefly performed with his group Mars Avenue and continues to work in music.
An album is reportedly in preparation.
Laurène Bourvon is often overlooked in lists of Star Academy winners, although she won the only edition broadcast on NRJ 12, in 2013. The 32-year-old has a loyal fan base that follows the duo Lunas, which she forms with her partner Louis.
Anisha Jo won Season 10 of Star Academy, which marked the show’s return to air in 2022. Her debut album, Lumière, was released in 2023.
This year she sang in September at the Stade de France during Pope Leo XIV’s visit. Next year, the artist, who turns 27 on November 29, will take part in the 500 voix pour Johnny tribute tour in zéniths across France, Switzerland and Belgium.
Pierre Garnier already had his first hit, “Ceux qu’on était,” before winning Season 11 of Star Academy. His debut album, Chaque seconde, released in 2024, is triple platinum.
In 2025 he received the Victoire de la musique for male revelation and song of the year for “Ceux qu’on était.” He is working on his next album.
Marine won Season 12 of Star Academy and has remained on a path of success since. Her debut album, Cœur maladroit, released in 2025, is platinum certified, and her new album, Le feu, le brasier, le magma, is scheduled for November 27.
Named Francophone female artist of the year at the most recent NRJ Music Awards, the 26-year-old singer, songwriter and performer will coach the next season of The Voice alongside Mika, Suzane and Tayc.
Season 13 winner Ambre, 19, ultimately chose to perform under her first name rather than the name she had initially said she would use professionally, Amber Jadah. Her first album, titled Victoria after her second first name, is set for release on December 4.
Ambre appeared during the first prime-time episode of Season 14 of Star Academy on October 10, 2026.
