Marine claimed victory in the Star Academy on January 25, 2025, receiving 65% of the votes against Ebony. As she prepares for the upcoming tour, which begins on February 21, controversy arose over the tour setlist, particularly a trio performance of “Unholy” by Maureen, Franck, and Ebony. Fans expressed their discontent online, leading to a petition for Maureen’s removal. Coach Lucie Bernardoni condemned the online harassment, urging unity in the music community.
Marine emerged victorious in the Star Academy on January 25, 2025, securing 65% of the votes against Ebony. She has taken the crown from Pierre Garnier, who triumphed in the 2023-2024 season over Julien Lieb. Following her win, Marine’s track “Ma faute” has garnered over 3 million streams. After a whirlwind of interviews, she has now joined her fellow contestants to kick off preparations for the upcoming tour.
Intensive Preparations for the Star Academy Tour
In recent days, Marine, Ebony, Charles, Franck, Marguerite, Maïa, Maureen, Ulysse, and Emma have been keeping a packed schedule. As showcased in the daily episodes on TF1 +, the group recently posed for their official tour photograph, which stands in stark contrast to the previous year’s student lineup. This past weekend, on February 15, audiences were also treated to the reveal of the duos and trios that will take the stage during the tour, which is set to kick off on Friday, February 21, in Epernay. However, this announcement has sparked a flurry of controversy across various social media platforms.
Controversy Surrounding the Star Academy Tour Setlist
Following the unveiling of the Star Academy tour setlist, many internet users have taken to social media to express their frustrations. The source of the uproar? A trio featuring Maureen, Franck, and Ebony performing “Unholy” by Sam Smith. Fans have voiced a preference for a duet between Franck and Ebony instead. The situation escalated to the point where a petition demanding Maureen’s removal from this performance began circulating online.
Numerous individuals condemned this online harassment, with comments on platforms like X reflecting sentiments such as: “Imagine if you were in Maureen’s shoes? 391 people sign a petition to exclude you from a performance because they find you unappealing? No, it’s too extreme to be this cruel.” Another commented: “We’re losing our minds, it’s unacceptable; after Marine, Ebony, and Emma, now it’s Maureen facing bullying. This childish behavior needs to stop.”
Lucie Bernardoni Speaks Out Against Online Hate
In light of the backlash against Maureen, coach Lucie Bernardoni has publicly expressed her dismay. She took to her Instagram and X accounts on Monday, February 17, to address the situation. ‘Young artists from the Star Academy are receiving hate messages over the song setlist. Or simply hate in general,’ she articulated.
She further added: “Do people not recognize the absurdity of this situation? Music is meant to unite us, not create division. Let’s all take a step back.” Her post garnered significant engagement, with responses like: ‘Thank you, Lucie. I was just about to share your last story where you express the same thoughts. This year has been tough; when it’s not the setlist, it’s the promotional tour photo.‘