On February 20, 2021, TF1 broadcast the third episode of the blind auditions for season 10 of
“The Voice”
.
Among the most notable performances, that of
The Vivi
, a 20-year-old rapper from Sarthe whose cover of
Suicide social
by Orelsan had captivated the jury made up of Florent Pagny, Amel Bent, Marc Lavoine and Vianney.
It was with the latter that he decided to work and with whom he had qualified until the semi-final during the recordings.
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A few hours after the broadcast, old racist and homophobic messages from the young artist were unearthed from his social networks.
Despite its public apologies, the production company of “The Voice” made the decision to exclude The Vivi from the singing competition on February 22.
“These messages are contrary to the commitments made by the talents when they participate in “The Voice””
, underlined ITV Studios France.
Also read “The Voice”, his fatherhood, his withdrawal from the stage, his relationship with the star system... Vianney's rare confidences
“I received insults and death threats”
The Vivi
Three years later, YouTuber Sam Zirah received The Vivi in his show “In all privacy” broadcast on his channel.
An interview during which the rapper from Fresnay-sur-Sarthe returned to his setbacks on the sidelines of his participation in “The Voice”.
Regarding his controversial messages, he advocates a trashy, uninhibited and deliberately provocative humor expressed in the carefreeness of his adolescence.
“I received insults and death threats
,” he confided about the impact of this affair.
The Vivi says he was very well supported by the production who took the trouble to come see him to explain the decision to exclude him from the program.
“Pascal Guix and
Bruno Berberes
came to the house, I was also able to speak to Vianney.
They offered me help from a psychologist which I should have accepted, I realize today.
»
““The Voice” really broke me”
The Vivi
After the popular and media enthusiasm for his exclusion, the Sarthois struggled to bounce back.
“
‘The Voice’ really broke me
.
I drank like a mental patient, I drank a liter and a half of Martini every night.
The three months after the show, it was catastrophic
,” he said, calling alcohol an escape from his current malaise.
On January 1, 2022, The Vivi was placed in police custody for violence against his girlfriend and was sentenced, a little later, to six months in prison.
The Vivi says she doesn't make a full living from music and works in temporary work to make ends meet.
“I want to release an album by the end of the year, that’s close to my heart,”
he concludes, keen to realize a childhood dream and pursue his artistic career.