Djamel Bentenah is one of the buyers of the show Deal concluded, presented by Sophie Davant. Antique dealer, owner of two stores at the Saint-Ouen flea market, he joined the team at the start of the 2019 school year. And the sixty-year-old made a strong impression on viewers. On social networks, many compliment its elegance and its offbeat look. During her first shoot, the host even made fun of her hairstyle by asking her if he had the same hairstylist as Pierre-Jean Chalençon. In a long interview with Current wife, Djamel Bentenah confides without taboo. The encounter that changed his life, his addiction to horse racing, his professional career, his partner, and his beginnings in the France 2 program, his relationships with other buyers and with Sophie Davant… He tells us everything.
Current Woman: How did you get recruited into the show Deal concluded ?
Djamel Bentenah: A headhunter went to the flea market, she told me that she was looking for someone for the show, someone a little atypical. She liked my look, my way of being. She asked me questions, filmed me, took a picture of me to nominate me. Then they wanted to meet me. But I didn't accept it right away, I told my wife about it before. At first, I was not very confident. I wasn’t sure if I could do it, be up to the show. They insisted, so I gave it a try. Now I'm quiet, I'm going whistling!
Did you know the show before participating in it?
D.B.: Yes of course. I’m still talking about it with my wife. I said to him the other day: ‘You realize, this program I watched it from my sofa and there I am inside ’. When an object passed into the hands of Harold (Hessel), I tried to guess its estimate. And paf, each time I was right on target! So it was very funny when they came to get me.
How was the first day of shooting?
D.B.: Frankly I was stressed to the maximum! I had a belly ball, I was wondering how it was going to be, I was afraid of falling for it. We’re a little nervous, like when we come into a new class at school. And then it went well. Julien came to speak to me, he put me at ease right away.
Is there a good understanding between you and the other buyers?
D.B.: Yes, and well, we have neither the time nor the opportunity to take the lead. We see each other on the show, but otherwise we call each other from time to time, we send each other little messages to get news. I get along with everyone.
With which do you have the most affinities?
D.B.: At the very beginning, Anne-Catherine (Verwaerde) was very sweet and kind to me. On the second shoot I got on well with Stéphane (Vanhandenhoven), who is very nice. Afterwards, there are some with whom I haven't had the opportunity to tour a lot. Julien (Cohen) was also very kind, he gave me a very nice ad to the team. And then I already knew him a little bit about the Fleas. Caroline (Margeridon) I adore her too, she's funny, she has lots of energy. She has a little side, madame kiss. I don't really have a preference for one or the other.
And with Sophie Davant?
D.B.: Ah, I love it. She is a mysterious woman, because I have not yet had the chance to really meet her. When I meet her, that she comes out of her beautiful, dapper lodge, I just have the right to tell her ‘Hello Sophie'. She answers me and goes to her expertise room, she is not very available. However, my wife talked a little bit with her, and she was the one who told me that she was a great woman. We had an evening at Deal concluded in July, where we ate, and even danced … And my wife had the chance to sit near Sophie. I do not hide from you that she intimidates me anyway! But I have lots of questions to ask him, especially about his career, stage fright and all that.
Has your participation in the show affected your career?
D.B.: Already, I am recognized in the street. I often hear ‘Ah, he's the man from TV. It’s not unpleasant! Many provincials come to Saint-Ouen flea markets and seek to meet Julien Cohen, Caroline Margeridon, Diane Châtelet or me, to take photos. I never refused a selfie, and I never will! There isn’t a weekend when I don’t do 30 or so a day. But if I had done Deal concluded when i was 20 or 30 it would have been wonderful for me. It can open up a lot of things, an artistic career in cinema, theater or music … I would have loved to do that. When I am asked if I don't mind taking a selfie, I always respond with the same valve: ‘I dreamed of being Mick Jagger ’.
Can you tell us about your background?
D.B.: I went to a boilermaker school. But I didn't like it at all. After my CAP, I entered the factory. I stayed there for a day, and I never went back there in my life. It was scary! I took refuge in the animation, I supervised snow classes and green classes. I had a bag for the winter, one for the summer. I stopped to go to the army when I was 18 years old. I went on commando to Colmar, to the 152nd infantry regiment. When I returned from the army, I worked in ready-to-wear. My last job was at Daniel Hechter. When I left, I opened my first clothing store in Colombes. It’s a job that I really enjoyed, in which I made a good living. My store was running really well, so I had a second one. I did a lot of work, and I lost two million francs when the Gulf War started. I found myself without a job, I lost everything.
How did you bounce back?
D.B.: I found small jobs on the right on the left. And I turned to antiquity. I always liked that, I had a lot of old decor in my shop. My greatest chance is to have met someone in the evening. He was a second-hand dealer at the Flea market in Saint-Ouen, and we got on well. So I went to see him once, and I never left. I came to see him every weekend, he let me sell sometimes. One day he moved to Bordeaux and entrusted the store to me. This is how I came back up, it is thanks to him that I got there. And suddenly, I bought the stand next door for me! There, I have two stores one across from the other, that the whole gang ofDeal concluded got to see during a flea party. They came to my stand to drink a glass of champagne. I just bought a third one, but with everything going on I don't know if I can keep it.
Can you tell us about your wife?
D.B.: Her name is Séverine, we've been together for seven years. I have never been married, by choice. She has worked with me for five years. Before, she ran a catering, poultry and delicatessen store, with her two daughters. And when i met her, it was love at first sight right away. She had a crush on my job, but I had to insist a little bit because she didn't want to work with me. I was lucky to have saved some money, so I bought the store opposite. We work together, but she has hers and I have mine.
Do you have children?
D.B.: I have a 35 year old daughter, Anaïs. She has two children: an 8-year-old son, Raphaël, and a 4-year-old daughter, Romane. I also have a 31-year-old son, Alan, who now lives in Bordeaux. He started working with me, but we didn't get on well. I pulled him a little too far, rather than waiting for him to want it.
Hunting is your great passion. Do you have any others?
D.B.: I am a great turfist at heart. It’s not always good to talk about it, but I’m not going to lie. I made my first ticket when I was 12 years old. My father used to send me to PMU, and since they knew me there, they let me play. This is how it started. To make it a passion, you have to be careful and of course have the means. I don’t even dare to tell you how much I used to play a day at one time. Fortunately, I eased off, otherwise I could never have had everything I have today.
Do you have personal collections?
D.B.: Yes, Rolexes. So if one day there is a beautiful watch on the show, it will join my collection! Otherwise there are also shoes. In six years, I still haven't managed to make room for my wife's. I have 37 pairs, she says. When I was little, I told myself that I would have the most beautiful watches, and the most beautiful shoes. Because the first watch that I was offered did not work, and I was not lucky to have branded shoes.
You have an impressive collection of selfies with celebrities on your Instagram account: Sophie Marceau, Lenny Kravitz, Whoopi Goldberg …
D.B.: And that's not counting all those who didn't have the time or didn't want to. And then we talk about selfies, but before there were none. I have a notebook in which I asked them to drop me a note. I saw James Bond (Pierce Brosnan), Madonna… Jean-Paul Gaultier took the time to make me a beautiful drawing, “for Djamel ”.
On social media, a lot of people have complimented your look. Some have even compared your scarf to Karl Lagerfeld's ponytail…
D.B.: I’ve always been like that, I don’t dress like that for TV. As I worked in ready-to-wear, I always paid attention to my look. I would have liked to be tall, strong, muscular, but I am not. So I managed with my clothes. And then I am delighted to be compared to Karl! I do have a lot of scarves. Before, I wore a lot of ties. I like not being dressed like everyone else, having something that will make a difference. I always have a pretty brooch on my jackets. And I've been wearing a lot of jewelry since the age of 13.
Are you thinking of retirement?
D.B.: I should be retired but I like to work. I can't stand to do nothing. So imagine, during confinement … It's very hard. But I’m lucky to be with a wonderful woman.
You are also confined with your dog, whom you call “my baby” on Instagram…
D.B.: Yes, I have a little Yorkshire, called Mimi. We shared it with my daughter-in-law. Originally, it was his. But when I don't have it, olala what I miss! This dog I talk to him, he talks to me, he understands everything I tell him, he sleeps above my head … I couldn't believe that I was going to become gaga like that.
Read also : “Closed Deal”: until when will the show be broadcast during confinement?