On February 7, 2025, Lénie, a gifted artist from *Star Academy*, performed on *Dancing with the Stars*, moving audiences with her emotional connection to the song *À fleur de toi*. She shared her struggles with her father’s absence and the pain of their complicated relationship. Judge Jean-Marc Généreux related to her experience, reflecting on his own father’s delayed acknowledgment of his passion for dance. Later, Lénie discussed the lasting impact of her father’s hurtful words on her self-esteem and the ongoing search for paternal validation.
A Heartfelt Journey on *Dancing with the Stars*
On February 7, 2025, *Dancing with the Stars* made a triumphant return to TF1, less than a year after Natasha St-Pier’s victory. Among the contestants was Lénie, a talented young artist known from the 11th season of *Star Academy*. During her debut performance, Jordan Mouillerac selected the poignant track *À fleur de toi* by Vitaa. Overcome with emotion, Lénie opened up to her dance partner, stating, “This song has always touched me deeply, and singing it is challenging because it evokes many memories. It reminds me of my father and our complicated relationship, which feels like an impossible love. His absence is painful.” She shared with the audience her struggles, revealing, “There’s no contact between us—no texts, no calls, nothing about what I’ve gone through this year.” Lénie expressed a heartfelt wish, saying that receiving acknowledgment from her father would be one of her “greatest dreams.” She added, “I feel that my father’s recognition will never come. Yet, the little girl inside me holds onto hope, even if it hurts to keep hoping.”
Jean-Marc Généreux’s Resonating Reflection
As the judges praised Lénie’s debut on the dance floor, Jean-Marc Généreux was visibly moved and sought to connect deeper with her story. “What I see is a remarkable 19-year-old with an impressive artistic maturity. You transformed the music into a beautiful dance with Jordan. You truly revealed yourself, which is so important,” he expressed. He also shared a personal experience, stating, “Your situation with your father resonates with many. For me, it was a long wait of six years before my father watched me dance. He overlooked my passion for dance at home, and only later realized that he was proud of me.”
On June 23, 2025, during an appearance on *Clique* on Canal+, Lénie opened up about the deep-rooted complexities of her relationship with her father, revealing how his words made her feel worthless. “I believe he intended to teach me certain lessons, but he lacked the right approach. Even now, as an adult, I grapple with those hurtful words that shape my self-perception, like ‘You’re not good at that,’ or ‘Do you really think that’s a success?!’ This was my entire life, and those words can leave lasting scars, especially when they come from a parent.” While Lénie feels she has “forgiven certain things,” the absence of paternal validation continues to weigh heavily on her. “It’s challenging to find stability and build a sense of self amid such imbalance,” she concluded.