A few hours before the grand finale of La Voix Season 9, coaches Corneille, Marc Dupré, Marjo and Mario Pelchat take stock of their experiences and take a clear look at the potential of their respective finalists.
Corneille, an invested coach
Photo agency QMI, Joël Lemay
Corneille lived his coaching experience intensively at “La Voix”. Even if this adventure only lasted a few months, it was worthwhile for him. “Discoveries and friendships have been made, I have met extraordinary people, whether in production or with the candidates on my team. It stimulated me creatively, with all the emotionally charged moments. There are parts of me that have been positively shaken up, like Sylveo’s number and others. All of this could be a chapter in my great book The Voice. It passed very quickly, but it’s a whole piece of life.
The singer was so engrossed in his role that he only focused on it. “I’m waiting for April 10th to think about the rest of my career. From the beginning I had nothing else in mind than “La Voix”. But I do know that I’ll be performing at a festival this summer and then going on tour in Quebec this fall.”
Corneille is proud to have Jay on his team as a finalist. In fact, he believes that Quebec and all of Francophonie need a talent like him. “There has never been a young man who sings, dances, entertains with real charisma and depth at the same time. It’s a model that’s long been American, but Jay steps into that frame.
He noted from the start that the public was sensitive to his protégé’s insane charisma. “He’s so grounded and confident and therefore persuasive. I remember his blind audition being quite an understatement but with such power in his presence. He’s also such a hardworking boy, one of the most conscientious artists I’ve ever met.”
Photo agency QMI, Joël Lemay
Jay from Jay
“It was my wish from the start to let my Afro-Caribbean roots flow into my numbers. In these hard and critical times in Haiti, I wanted to show a positive and joyful aspect that people see my country of origin in a different way. I make music for people and for the direct contact I can have with them. With all the negativity around us, I want people to remember that there’s always something positive in the middle of everything.”
Marc Dupré, an inspiring coach
Photo agency QMI, Joël Lemay
Once again, Marc Dupré is very satisfied with this season at “La Voix”.
“I’m happy with my choice, I had fun. It allowed me to dig in places I hadn’t been in a while. My candidates were calm in all my decisions. It was a very tight-knit team that wanted to have “fun”. I didn’t feel any competition between them, they were always bonded.”
Sitting in this red armchair is very inspiring and enriching for the singer. “When you get there, it’s an adventure that doesn’t usually exist in this profession. It is a time when you will experience many things, look for inspiration. I feel more comfortable after one season of La Voix, even if I’m burned because I’m fully committed. But I love music, I have to create something every day. It keeps me alive, it keeps me young and I’m learning a lot of things.
He sees a complete artist in his finalist, Adam El Mouna. “He is always in creation and creativity. He can do any song, he sees it as a story he’s going to tell, he lives it to the full. He also has great acting talent, he likes to play with the camera. He is extravagant, full of ideas and always open to new things, right up to the last moment before he goes on stage. He offers me songs that are far from his at times, I love that, but that’s because he sees the potential of what he could play in it. Marc also underlines his great curiosity. “He’s always learning. He is interested, open and asks everyone questions, he uses all the tools to get ahead.
Photo agency QMI, Joël Lemay
Adam from Adam
“I still want to surprise and surpass myself. Every time I complete a stage, I realize that I can make a living from this job, that I can make a difference. I have so much fun being on stage. I’m going to the final with ambition. I want to give everything to show what I am and who I am.”
Marjo, an instinctive trainer
Photo agency QMI, Joël Lemay
Marjo admits she wasn’t quite sure what she was getting into when she agreed to take a coaching chair at La Voix. “It’s very challenging,” she told agency QMI. Generosity, the desire to reach out and share, I have that in me. But opening it up to full size was something I had to define. I didn’t know who I would become as a coach, I went there little by little. I was a bit frozen at the beginning, I didn’t know how it works, the exchange with the candidates. But I did my best.”
She continues to admire the work her contestants have done throughout the adventure and trusts that she has received much from their contact. “It was a joy to live with people who love to sing and want to sing. There is a reason behind this desire to go on stage, and that is the desire to share and to be loved. If asked, I’m willing to do it again.”
She will also keep a fond memory of meeting Corneille. “I have a special bond with him. We look alike in a way, in fragility, gentleness, understanding… Corneille has come up with beautiful phrases that make us think, I like that.
When it comes to Christopher Therrien, her team’s finalist, she finds him simply breathtaking. “He is a sincere and generous person. He has a consistency in his breath. It’s a tireless, inexhaustible pile. He had incredible energy, we saw that in the duels. He also has a wide register, he can enjoy both simplicity and madness.
Photo agency QMI, Joël Lemay
Christopher from Christopher
“In my heart I’m already a winner to be in the final. My challenge is accepted, the audience chose me, I couldn’t ask for anything better. I’ve dreamed of this since the first season of “Star Académie”. It’s a dream come true. In this adventure I’ve learned to trust myself, I’ve learned that I have my place, that it’s mine.
Mario Pelchat, a sensitive trainer
Photo agency QMI, Joël Lemay
Mario Pelchat takes nothing but positives from his experience as a coach at La Voix, a career that has even rekindled his flame.
“When we’re young we’re curious, we’re into musical and cultural discoveries, we’re like sponges, and when we grow up we’re limited to a cruising speed that makes us lose that curiosity. In this coaching exercise we discover many new talents, it is very enriching.
The singer was even surprised that his music attracts more and more young people. “There are young girls who ask me to take photos with them. It’s pretty crazy the impact “La Voix” can have on the public, everyone asks me about it. It gives me incredible moments.”
He says he loved all of his candidates dearly and intends to continue following them in the future. “This summer I’ll start my residency at the winery again, 45 appointments are on the program. I invite my candidates to come and sing with me as a surprise. People won’t know who will be there, but I want them to experience the stage with my musicians and allow me to get to know them even better.”
Sophie Grenier, her finalist, managed to touch the hearts of the audience with her originality, but the coach sees something else in her. “She never hits the wrong note, it’s always the perfect note. She also has beautiful nuances, everything is always felt and touching. She doesn’t try to put on too much. But no matter what happens in the finale, I want to keep working with her and most importantly get her to go to more rhythmic songs.
Photo agency QMI, Joël Lemay
Sophie by Sophie
“The finale is all about excitement, stress, winning, but at the same time I’m really excited to be able to work with the guest artists. That’s the main reason I wanted to go there. I know myself quite well as an artist and with the experience of La Voix I know myself even better.
- The finale of “La Voix” will be broadcast this Sunday at 7:30 p.m. on TVA.