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French 'Star Academy' Singer Wins Prize
04/01/2004 7:30 AM, AP
The Associated Press
A 21-year-old French singer won an international competition of young performers who shot to fame on reality shows that coached them on how to become pop stars.
Elodie Frege of France's "Star Academy" beat out contestants from 10 other countries Tuesday. Wearing a red satin dress, she crooned Celine Dion 's "S'il Suffisait d'Aimer (If Loving Was Enough)."
"Star Academy," in which young pop-star wannabes live together in a posh chateau and take voice and dance lessons, is a few seasons old but still a hit in France.
Lionel Richie and Phil Collins made appearances at the contest in southern France, held at the same theater that hosts the Cannes Film Festival .
The second-place winners were Wilfred and Marie-Elaine of Canada. They sang Bonnie Tyler 's "Total Eclipse of the Heart," with parts of the song translated into French.
Mexico's Darina descended from a swing in a sleek turquoise dress and sang Mariah Carey 's "Hero" for a third-place finish.
Other contestants came from Germany, Spain, Brazil, Lebanon, Chile, Russia, Britain and Argentina. No one from the U.S. show "American Idol" competed.
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