Jamiroquai‘s “Complicated” Past on ’Star Academy’ Resurfaces in Recent Broadcast
Paris, France – A recent discussion on France Inter radio brought a decades-old incident involving British musician Jay Kay of Jamiroquai back into teh spotlight, revealing a chaotic appearance on the TF1 show Star Academy. host Nikos Aliagas recounted a prime-time experience with a guest who arrived “stuffed,” prompting fellow panelist and Dancing with the Stars winner Lénie too share anecdotes about limited alcohol access during her 2023-2024 season on the show.
The conversation, sparked by France Inter’s struggles with recent audience figures, quickly turned to memorable-and challenging-moments from Star Academy‘s history. Aliagas described the situation as “complicated,” and Mosimann instantly identified the artist in question as Jamiroquai.The revelation comes as the show prepares for a reunion prime featuring past contestants, raising questions about guest management and potential for similar incidents.
The story unfolded further with Nathalie André, director of Star Academy during its third season in 2003, detailing a particularly aggressive encounter with Kay to Philippe Vandel on Europe 1 in 2021. André alleged that Kay, angered by a candidate’s request to perform one of his songs, verbally abused her and a colleague, even becoming physically threatening. “He almost put one on me. With my collaborator, Julie Grynbaum, we were called whores,” André stated.
According to André, Kay was the only artist who refused to allow a Star Academy contestant to perform his music, and his refusal escalated into a live outburst. Mosimann echoed the sentiment, stating, “Drunk, the word is weak all the same,” while Aliagas simply acknowledged, “It was hard.” Lénie added that while alcohol was prohibited during prime-time performances, contestants were occasionally permitted beer during holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Day, recounting a humorous exchange with fellow contestant Helena.
