“Come, follow me… They've already started.
The pace is in a hurry, the schedule loaded.
It's only 10:30 am but it's already the race this Tuesday in the corridors of Lendit's studio.
The countdown has started in the labyrinths of this huge warehouse in La Plaine Saint-Denis, which has been hosting “The Voice” since January.
All around the imposing empty stage, where the famous red armchairs of the coaches are enthroned, activities are linked to prepare for the final live broadcast this Saturday evening on TF1 at 9:05 p.m.
On the ground floor, it is impossible to miss a giant hand making the V for victory and "Voice".
A few meters away, “la guinguette du Lendit”, a cafeteria set up in a film tent, distributes sweets, strong coffees and dried fruits to some two hundred people mobilized for the final.
Pandemic forces, impossible to enter this den, without a negative Covid test of less than 72 hours and a new FFP2 mask to be renewed several times a day.
Jim Bauer, still impressive
"Where is Marc?" Pascal Nègre is lost. The former big boss of Universal, who became manager of Marc Lavoine, has trouble navigating the maze of dark corridors. "I am not well awake this morning," he laughs. Helped by a member of the production, he opens a heavy door… then rushes into the coaching room, decorated with false Broadway-style scaffolding. "Ladies and gentlemen, Pascal Nègre is with us," laughs Marc Lavoine, in the middle of a working session with Jim Bauer, the big favorite of this edition. Did you hear what he just did? "
"Marco" is relaxed, affable, at ease in front of the dozen cameras aimed at him to capture the moment.
What Jim Bauer “just did” is a live version of Orelsan's “Everything is fine”.
With his broken voice, and his strength of interpretation, the young musician of 27 years still impresses as much.
“Frankly, it's rare to hear something like this,” says his coach.
The two finalists will defend a personal composition
With his jogging and his youthful look, it's hard to believe that Pascal Guix is the big boss of the show.
And yet, the artistic producer is everywhere.
Upstairs, he makes sure that Mentissa and Marghe, two of the four finalists, have had enough sleep since the semi-final, and speaks with the whole team before Amel Bent arrives to give final advice to Cyprien in the early afternoon.
Marghe and Mentissa offer themselves a little moment of relaxation in a box between two rehearsals.
LP / Frédéric Dugit
He is shaping a new event for the final of this tenth edition. For the first time, the final will be in two stages. First, viewers will vote to choose the two final candidates "to put the stake in the home straight", then the two finalists will defend a personal composition. “Unveiling one of their songs is a way of showing who they will be after
The Voice,”
explains Pascal Guix.
Production is activated.
“We put Kendji next to Soolking and London Grammar in the other room,” explains Rania Bedia, in charge of hosting the artists invited to the final.
"
Mentissa, it's time for your phoner," warns Jeniffer Torres, the press secretary.
Understand phone interview.
The pretty Belgian from Vianney's team has just arrived from the hotel where she has been confined for more than two weeks.
‚“ It’s the emotional lift to have seen people leave after the semi-final, we were very close, ”says the candidate, sunny and smiling.
But I'm following the team's advice to hold on.
I sleep as soon as I can.
"
One repetition chases the other
A cliché shared on his networks with his coach Vianney made a lot of talk this week.
“We are just seen eating a hamburger,” she laughs after a photoshoot.
After the semi-final, he received me at his home with his wife Catherine, it was so nice.
It's been a while since we wanted to take the time to discuss calmly, to talk about the rest… ”
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After his interview on the phone, it was difficult to resist the call of a guitar and an improvised duet with Marghe in one of the boxes.
It's gone for a new moment suspended and lit by the light of the mirror bulbs in front of which they will put on makeup on Saturday.
"The Voice is a school, where you learn very quickly, I work on my voice ... It will remain a great experience", rejoices the finalist of "the Florent Pagny team", former employee of Futuroscope.
Cyprien Zeni, Amel Bent's candidate, in the middle of a coaching session.
LP / Frédéric Dugit
A breath quickly swept away by the program of the day. One repetition drives out the other. At the beginning of the afternoon, it was Cyprien's turn to show his version of “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston to his coach Amel Bent… blown away by his performance. "I am fascinated by the singer that you are, every time, I take a slap," she answers him, stunned. Whitney, it's your DNA, your house… I'm not going to invent coaching. There, I just want you to sing again. It will be this Saturday live.
