Popstars (French TV series)

Popstars was a musical French fashioned around the international series Popstars. The French television series was broadcast on M6 for 4 seasons and was a pioneer in musical competitions in France.

The first season of Fremch Popstars was launched on 20 September 2001 and continued until 20 December 2001 won by L5, followed by a second season 2002 won by Whatfor, a third season in 2004 (known as Popstars - le duel) won by Linkup, and a final fourth season after 4 years of interruption, held in 2007 and won by Sheryfa Luna.

The first series was to launch pop groups from casting to the launch of a debut album, whereas series 4 was for launching of a solo artist. Genres of music presented ranged form pop to rock, R&B, rap and hip hop. Contrary to other competitions, eliminations were decided by a jury and not by the public.

Season 1 (2001)

• Broadcast: 20 September - 20 December 2001
• Jury:
  • Santi, former general director of Mercury France
  • Mia Frye, choreographer
  • Pascal Broussot, artistic director of M6
• Winners:
  • L5 - a girl band made up of Lydy (known as Louisy Joseph), Marjorie, Coralie, Alexandra and Claire)

Season 2 (2002)

• Broadcast: 29 August and 19 December 2002
• Jury:
  • Valéry Zeitoun, director of AZ, a subsidiary of Universal Music
  • Bruno Vandelli, choreographer
  • Elisabeth Anaïs, songwriter
• Winners: Whatfor made up of Cyril, Nicolas, Érika and Monia (Monia Righi)

Season 3 (2003)

• Broadcast: 28 August until 20 November 2004
• The series was named "Popstars - le duel"
• Jury:
  • Olivier Nusse, general director of ULM
  • Angie Cazaux-Berthias, vocal coach, singer
  • Roberto Ciurleo, director of NRJ radio station
• Winners: Linkup made up of Matthieu (Matthieu Tota) (later famous as M. Pokora), Lionel (Lionel Tim) and Otis
• Runners-up (in duel): Diadems

Season 4 (2007)

• Broadcast: 3 September - 26 October 2007
• Jury:
  • Mia Frye, choreographer
  • Benjamin Chulvanij, Music producer and director
  • Sébastien Farran, music manager
  • Ophélie Winter, songwriter and singer
• Workshop
  • D.Dy: singing and urban flow workshop
  • Youssoupha: writing workshop
  • Nancy Marie-Claire: dance workshop
• Winner: Sheryfa Luna (solo)
• Other participants - Eliminations after:
  • day 1: Fabio
  • day 3: Delphine
  • day 7: Lakdar, Noémie, Jonathan, Gabrielle, Samir and Mehdi (later the duo Twem)
  • day 10: Sullivan and Emeraude
  • day 12: Keda, Wendee, Salim, Ibtisame
  • day 14: Yéché
  • day 20: Nicolas, Romain, Priscillia and Nathanael
  • day 25: Vanessa, Pierre-Jean, St Cyr
  • day 30 (before the finals): Moussa, Isaac, Zack, Marion, Léa
  • Finalists: Jessie and Hadja (with finalist Sheryfa Luna winning the contest)

In popular culture

• Of the participants in Popstars as part of groups, Louisy Joseph (of L5), M. Pokora (of Linkup).
• Identical twin brother Samir and Mehdi formed later the duo Twem and took part in both the British and the French X Factor competition.
• Winner from season 4 Sheryfa Luna became a succesful artist. 4th season contestant Léa Castel also had a solo career, whereas Zack, from season 4 became a professional dancer and dance instructor in French X Factor in its second season