Nouvelle Star is the French version of the TV show "Pop Idol". It appeared in 2003 on the channel Metropole 6. The name of this TV show was, at the beginning, "A La Recherche De La Nouvelle Star", but it was shortened the following year. Benjamin Castaldi hosted it from 2003 to 2006, and he has been replaced by Virginie Efira from June 2006 to June 2008. Virginie Guilhaume is the new host. In 2003, the jury was composed by Dove Attia (producer), Lionel Florence (lyricist), Varda Kakon (lyricist & producer) & André Manoukian (composer & pianist). From 2004 to 2007, the jury was composed by Dove Attia, Marianne James (singer, guitarist & songwriter), Manu Katché (drummer) and André Manoukian. Since 2008, the jury is composed by Lio (female singer), Philippe Manoeuvre (journalist), André Manoukian & Sinclair (male singer).
The first season was aired from April to July 2003. The ten finalists were : Alexis Juliard, Cindie Bruzzi, Gabrielle Ducomble, Jean-Sébastien Lavoie (Canadian), Jonatan Cerrada (Belgian), Jonathan, Laetizia Alberti, Priscilla, Thierry Amiel & Yoann Kelyan. They recorded the single "Laissons Entrer Le Soleil", originally sung by Julien Clerc, French cover of "Let The Sunshine In". Jonatan Cerrada was the winner & Thierry Amiel was the runner-up.
The second season was aired from February to May 2004. The ten finalists were : Amel Bent, Babeth Lando, Charles Cattaert, Geoffrey Lupart, John Zerah, Julien Laurence (Swiss), Laura Tabourin, Pascal Crisinel (Swiss), Simon-Gad Barbey (Swiss) & Steeve Estatof. They recorded the single "Au Bout De Mes Rêves", originally sung by Jean-Jacques Goldman. Steeve Estatof was the winner & Julien Laurence was the runner-up. Amel Bent was semifinalist but she got the success with her singles and her first album.
The third season was aired from February to May 2005. The ten finalists were : Benjamin, Dan Perez, Francine Massiani, Malik, Mervyn Kennedy-McFoy, Myriam Abel, Philippe Léger, Pierrick Lilliu, Roland Karl & Sarah. They recorded the single "Blame It On The Boogie", originally sung by Jacksons. Myriam Abel was the winner & Pierrick Lilliu was the runner-up.
The fourth season was aired from February to June 2006. The ten finalists were : Beverly, Bruno Rua, Christophe Willem, Cindy Santos (Swiss), Miss Dominique, Florian, Gaël Faure, Joana, Stéphanie & Valérie Castan. They recorded the single "J'Irai Chanter", an unreleased song chosen by the jury. Christophe Willem was the winner & Miss Dominique was the runner-up.
The fifth season was aired from February to June 2007. The ten finalists were : Alex, Cannelle, Gaëtane Abrial, Ilyès Yangui, Julie, Julien Doré, Pierre Darmon, Raphaëlle Dess, Soma & Tigane. They recorded 2 songs on the single : "3e Sexe", originally sung by Indochine & "Should I Stay Or Should I Go", originally sung by The Clash. Julien Doré was the winner & Tigane was the runner-up.
The sixth season was aired from February to June 2008. The ten finalists were : Amandine Bourgeois, Benjamin Siksou, Cédric, Jules, Julien, Kristov, Lucile, Siân, Thomas & Ycare. They recorded the single "Highway To Hell", originally sung by AC/DC. Amandine Bourgeois was the winner & Benjamin Siksou was the runner-up.
Source: http://artists.letssingit.com/nouvelle-star-f1dp4/biography
