‘Star Academy’ 2025 Launch Reveals Last-Minute Casting shift
TF1‘s live broadcast of the first bonus episode of Star Academy‘s 13th season on Saturday, October 18, included a surprise proclamation: the number of contestants entering the famed Dammarie-Les-Lys castle has been reduced from 18 to 17. Host Nikos Aliagas revealed the change during the introduction of the new class of aspiring artists, offering no immediate explanation for the reduction.
The alteration comes despite previous confirmation from Aliagas,producer Mathieu Vergne,and the Star Ac’ team during a September 29 press conference that 18 hopefuls would be competing this season. This year’s cohort-Bastiaan, Anouk, Ambre, Mehdi, Sarah, Lenny, Leane, Victor, Noah, Lily, Léo, Melissa, Léa, Théo, Ema, Jeanne, and Théo-will vie for the title previously held by Marine, the 2023 winner. The competition also introduces new instructors Jonathan jenvrin and Alain Degois, replacing malika Benjelloun (dance) and Hugues Hamelynck (theater).
This season also features Charlotte Cardin and ed Sheeran as godmother and godfather, respectively. A unique element of the 2025 edition is the immediate offering of immunity to the student who most impresses director Michael Goldman and the teaching staff during the first premium. All 17 contestants are between the ages of 18 and 25.
