Defining the word “pop star” is as complicated as it is tricky. Does it mean an artist with millions of records sold? A tabloid star? Someone who primarily makes accessible music? The official definition of pop star is rather general: “a famous pop music star”. So who said that French-speaking pop stars don’t exist? In these cases, Lorie is playing in the same league as Britney Spears, Françoise Hardy would be our Taylor Swift… And why not say that Édith Piaf was as much a pop star as Lady Gaga?
However, these French stars do not have the same aura as their American or British counterparts – notably because they do not operate within the same codes, which are totally adapted to the expectations and constraints of French-speaking countries.
Engaged feathers
“For me, French-speaking pop stars exist. However, we have taken the model that surrounds those who are American to adapt them to our market.”admits Khal Ali, content creator and pop culture specialist. First, this was done by considering French-speaking pop stars more as lyrical artists: “In France, we have this idea that listeners would be more attracted by the words and the power of the voice than by the rest, like dancing, for example.”he emphasizes.
Elsewhere, the pop star could be the one who achieves an extremely popular status, but whose image could almost erase the creation. Compared to the totally crazy shows of a Katy Perry, those of Juliette Armanet seem indeed more conventional. Except that the latter, whose last album is certified double platinum disc, totally ticks the box of the pop music star… while being, to boot, a pen. The same goes for Mylène Farmer, Lio or France Gall, “totally pop stars” for Khal Ali.
Another difference: commitment. “Here we expect pop stars to be committed, to take sides on certain social issues”admits the specialist. This is also noted by Patricia Teglia, press attaché for Angèle and Zaho de Sagazan: “Being a pop star also means using your popularity to serve a cause.”
The greatest have done it (Beyoncé, Taylor Swift), but in French-speaking countries, it is almost a must: Angèle, with her hit “Show your what”is the perfect example, just like Clara Luciani with “Heart” and Zaho de Sagazan with “Les Dormantes” against domestic violence. Both have also recently taken a stand against the National Rally. This was also the case for Aya Nakamura. on his account X. Lio, for her part, is known for her unwavering feminist commitment.
No celebrity worship
American stars are also because their listeners seem to love gossip about the lives of their favorite stars – no need to recall the number of front pages that Britney Spears has been able to make. Across the Atlantic, the pop star, in this sense, is rather the one about whom “the cult of celebrity is pushed to its paroxysm”admits Khal Ali. A cult that will interest people in his misfortunes, his love life or his escapades, sometimes more than in his music.
In this sense, the French-speaking pop star is more discreet, as we are not used to this tabloid culture, which can nevertheless establish (or destroy) a career in the United States. Above all, unlike here, they are pure products of the genre: “We always have the idea in mind of American pop stars who have an incredible longevity because they started when they were children. We don’t have this phenomenon, analyse Patricia Teglia. And then, here, we don’t have events like the Super Bowl that definitively establish a status.” The fact remains that in its definition, according to which a pop star would be a mainstream icon, all the French-speaking singers previously cited would still be so – in the French (or Belgian) style.
Today, French-speaking pop stars also have the constraint of adapting to the listening models and success of rap, the most listened to genre. In 2019, according to the SNEP78% of young French people aged 14 to 24 listen to rap – a record never reached in the history of music in France, recalled Mouv. Angèle in duet with Damso, PLK with Yseult, Nice to meet you Julia and Prince Waly…Set-up or genuine interest? To increase their notoriety and their pop star aura, many have in any case gone through this.
Rap, hip-hop and R’n’B have themselves given birth to dozens of pop stars. Just look at the recent shows of Shay to remember the existence of popular and talented stars, true beasts of the stage: “Aya Nakamura is still a pop star, but the French don’t want to accept her because she doesn’t tick the boxes of the pop star they would like to imagine.”plussoie Khal Ali.
Strong and committed women
All over the world, the status of pop star is evolving. Billie Eilish has nothing to do with Britney Spears and yet, her success is comparable. Today, less in the cult of secrecy and inaccessibility, stars also shape their image themselves thanks to social networks, addressing their communities directly. Sometimes, they make the stage their playground, which they share with Internet users. Rosalia or Angèle are proof of this: by using smartphones on stage, they offer 360-degree shows.
The figure of the pop star, who is not only feminine (Pierre de Maere would then be the new Harry Styles?) continues to fascinate… and to entice. The singer in development PAM even proudly displays on its social networks the mention “Pop star”, framed by two rocket emojis. Its storytelling is already mapped out, its artistic direction already professional.
“The image of the pop star is a vision, perhaps a little naive but damn impactful that I still have today and which pushes me to believe in my abilities and in my project, supports PAM. The pop stars that we follow as adults convey the values of strong, confident, assertive, independent and committed women.” And which, for some, take us back to our childhood.
The artist remembers this era of posters in bedrooms, glitter and other success stories, “who made us feel like we could all do it”. PAM is not the only one to believe it: since the start of the school year, a new season of the flagship show has been broadcast on Prime Video «Pop Stars»initially broadcast on M6 in 2001. Eddy de Pretto, Alonzo and Louane – themselves French pop stars – are the judges of this program which made its big comeback on September 12.
Source: www.slate.fr
