Sophie Grenier, Christa Maria Abou Akl, Loïk Jolicoeur and Christopher Therrien won their place in the semi-finals of La Voix on Sunday night, while France d’Amour replaced Marjo, who was absent due to COVID-19.
She caused quite a stir at the blind auditions and Sophie Grenier continues to receive support from the audience, who gave her 64% of the vote after her interpretation of the song “As long as we are there”. Christa Maria Abou Akl wanted to honor her Lebanese origins with Enrico Macias’ “Adieu mon pays” and didn’t think she would be hailed by the public, which gave her 74% of the vote.
Touching and moving with “Allo Maman Bobo”, Loïk Jolicoeur deserves his place for the next stage, just like Christopher Therrien, who knew how to open himself to his reality by being authentic and natural.
opening
Sitting on a platform, Roxane Bruneau opened the evening with her song “Acrophobia”, and the twelve candidates quickly joined the race over the course of the evening. Together they then illuminate the song “Partout”.
She was later on stage when the winner of the Second Voice competition, which she coached, was announced. The audience chose the young Livia St-Pierre, just 15 years old and from Saguenay.
“Thank you for believing in me by giving me a second chance,” Livia articulated while shaking. Thank you for your advice, you have been a great coach.
The winner then had the chance to share the big stage of “The Voice” with her coach with the hugely successful “In my way”.
emergency replacement
France d’Amour was out of the country when the production called him to ask him to replace Marjo, who was unable to be in the studio on Sunday night, positive for COVID-19. She returned on Friday evening and was at the MELS studio on Saturday morning to meet the Marjo team candidates.
However, the coach retained his voting rights. France d’Amour was able to coach the candidates in rehearsals and provide her comments after the performances, but it was Marjo who then called her the percentages she wanted to give each of her candidates.
Loïk Jolicoeur moves to Quebec
Even though the coach didn’t give him the maximum number of points (he gave him 33), the crowd allowed Loïk Jolicoeur to secure his spot in the semifinals with a total of 72 points.
“I thank the audience for their trust in me, and I thank the coaches,” said the 16-year-old candidate, who had already tried his luck at “La Voix Junior” a few years ago. I love you all.”
Wishing to show the audience a new sensibility, Audrey-Anne Séguin had selected Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Feel) A Natural Women” accompanied by a string quartet. “I’m happy to see you on this stage and in this form,” added the coach after his performance. When we talk about a vocal singer who has mastered her art, we think of you. I’ve never felt you so good.”
Loïk Jolicoeur entered a completely different universe when he sang “Allo Maman Bobo” by Alain Souchon. His interpretation was obviously colored by his great sensitivity and all the battles he had to fight to be sane today. “I love you, Loïk,” the coach said to him. I can’t believe I have this emotional intelligence at 16. When you sing we are with you, you hug us, it’s always true.
Gabrielle Grenon struggled with the song “L’amour a pris sa temps” which might not have been an ideal choice for her. “You have pure talent,” commented the coach.
Christopher Therrien sneaks into the semifinals
With 34 points from the coach and 35 from the audience, Christopher Therrien takes the next step. Marjo and the public voted diametrically opposite for the other two candidates.
Nathaël received 40 points from the coach and only 25 from the audience, while Mélanie received 40 from the audience and only 26 from the coach.
In the absence of Marjo, who was ill with COVID-19, France d’Amour, the backup coach, offered a small performance with her song “Everything to win” before announcing the evening’s winner. All of the Marjo Team candidates in this second quarterfinal were surprisingly from New Brunswick.
Christopher Therrien used the song “Maman Papa” by Pierre Lapointe to speak to his parents in the words he wished he had found when he came out. “You embodied this song so much, it looks like it was written for you,” said reserve coach France d’Amour. It was a miracle.”
Because Billie Eilish is his role model, Nathaël Young chose “Happier Than Ever” to try and get his ticket to the semifinals. “I really like to scream in my songs,” he told Marjo at rehearsals. I want to scream who I am. France d’Amour likened it to Putin at 4 a.m. “It’s good, it’s good, it’s good,” she added. I love everything about you, I adore you. I’ll put you in my bag and take you home.”
Mélanie Haché has agreed to reveal herself enormously through the lyrics of the song “In the Name of Reason” by Laurence Jalbert. “They repeat all the girls who leave their dreams behind and put family and everything else first,” said France d’Amour. You make the connection with the beauty of your voice.”
Christa Maria celebrated by the audience
With 74% of the audience votes and 33 points from the trainer, Christa Maria Abou Akl made it into the semi-finals. This is the highest percentage of audience votes this season.
“I would like to thank Corneille for insisting that I sing in Arabic,” explained the winner, still amazed by her result. All immigrants know that leaving their country is one of the hardest things to do, but when you arrive in Quebec with such warm people, you can’t help it.
Previously, the 20-year-old singer wanted to reflect her Lebanese roots by performing the song “Adieu mon pays” by Enrico Macias. She even revealed that her entry into the quarter-finals of “La Voix” received coverage in the Lebanese media. “This girl is incredibly talented,” Corneille said at the end of her performance. You are a great vocal technician. In an increasingly divided world, you come up with this proposal, you federate. You are also the first to sing in Arabic on “La Voix”, everyone who will do it afterwards will be because you paved the way. At 20 you are a pioneer.”
Because he’s starting to find happiness in his life since living in Quebec, the Frenchman called Sylveo in Safia Nolin’s La Laideur. “If people knew what you went through, to gather all the little courage and stay awake to be here,” his coach told him, wiping away tears. You are the first non-binary artist on “La Voix”. There are many parents who experience the same loneliness. Tonight, you may have given people a taste of an upcoming conversation.
She had promised herself that if she did the live broadcasts of The Voice, she would do a song by her father, Tomas Jensen. She chose “Montréal” from her repertoire, which she even named, wondering if there was a mistake in the lyrics. “I didn’t feel like I was seeing a candidate, I was seeing an artist. You have been before and you will continue to be. I can’t wait to see the rest of your career.”
Candidates in the semifinals
Mario Pelchat team
Steffy Beyong, 23, Montreal
Sophie Grenier, 17, Ottawa (rescued)
Corneille team
Jay, 24, Montreal
Christa Maria Abou Akl, 20, Montreal
Team Marjo
Julie St-Pierre, 37, Montreal
Christopher Therrien, 33 years old, Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska (NB)
Team Marc Dupre
Adam El Mouna, 19 years old, Ville-Sainte-Catherine
Loïk Jolicoeur, 16, Saint-Constant