“The Voice”: Sophie Grenier, Christa Maria, Loïk and Christopher in the semi-finals

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Sophie Grenier, Christa Maria Abou Akl, Loïk Jolicoeur and Christopher Therrien won their place on Sunday evening for the semi-final of “La Voix”, while France d'Amour came to replace Marjo, absent due to COVID-19. 

She caused a sensation during the blind auditions, and Sophie Grenier continues to receive support from the public, who granted her 64% of the votes, following her interpretation of the song “As long as we are there”. By wanting to honor her Lebanese origins with “Adieu mon pays”, by Enrico Macias, Christa Maria Abou Akl did not think she would be acclaimed by the public, who gave her 74% of the votes.

Touching and moving with “Allo Maman Bobo”, Loïk Jolicoeur deserves his place for the next stage, just like Christopher Therrien, who knew how to open up to his reality by being authentic and natural.

Opening

Perched on a platform, Roxane Bruneau opened the evening with her song “Acrophobia”, quickly joined by the twelve candidates in the running during the evening. Together they then shed light on the song “Partout”.

Later she was present on stage when we announced the winner of the “La deux voix” contest, of which she was the coach. The public chose to crown the young Livia St-Pierre, who is just 15 years old, and who is originally from Saguenay.

“Thank you for trusting me by giving me a second chance, said articulated Livia, while shaking. Thank you for your advice, you have been a great coach.

The winner then had the chance to share the big stage of “The Voice” with her coach with the great success, “In my way”.

Emergency replacement

France d'Amour was out of the country when the production called to ask him to replace Marjo who, positive for COVID-19, was unable to be present in the studio on Sunday evening. She returned Friday evening, and as of Saturday morning, she was at the MELS studio to meet the candidates of the Marjo team.

The coach, however, kept her voting power. France d'Amour was able to coach the candidates in rehearsal, and give her comments after the performances, but it was Marjo who then gave her, by telephone, the percentages she wanted to attribute to each of her candidates.

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Loïk Jolicoeur moves Quebec

Even though the coach didn't give him the maximum point (he gave him 33), the public allowed Loïk Jolicoeur to win his place in the semi-finals with a total of 72 points.

“I thank the public for believing in me, and I thank the coaches, said the 16-year-old candidate, who had already tried his luck at “La Voix Junior”, a few years ago. I love you all.”

With the desire to show a new sensitivity to the public, Audrey-Anne Séguin had chosen “(You Make Feel) A Natural Women”, by Aretha Franklin, accompanied by a string quartet. “I'm happy to see you on this stage and performing this way,” added the coach after his performance. When we talk about a vocal singer who masters her art, we think of you. I've never felt you so good.”

Loïk Jolicoeur went into a completely different universe by singing “Allo Maman Bobo”, by Alain Souchon. His interpretation was obviously tinged with his great sensitivity and all the battles he had to fight to be healthy today. “I love you Loïk, the coach told him. I can't believe I have this emotional intelligence at 16. When you sing, we're with you, you hug us, it's always true.”

Gabrielle Grenon had trouble with the song “L'amour took his time”, which was perhaps not an ideal choice for her. “You have pure talent,” commented the coach.

Christopher Therrien sneaks into the semi-finals

With 34 points from the coach and 35 from the public, Christopher Therrien takes the next step. Marjo and the public voted diametrically opposite for the other two candidates.

Nathaël received 40 points from the coach and only 25 from the public, while Mélanie received 40 from the public, and only 26 of the coach.

In the absence of Marjo, who contracted COVID-19, France d'Amour, the replacement coach, offered a small performance with her song “Everything to win”, before revealing the winner of the evening. All the candidates of the Marjo team, during this second quarter-final, were surprisingly from New Brunswick.

Christopher Therrien used the song “Maman Papa”, by Pierre Lapointe, to speak to his parents with the words he would have liked to find when he came out. “You embodied this song so much, it looks like it was written for you, exclaimed the replacement coach, France d’Amour. It was a marvel.”

Because Billie Eilish is his role model, Nathaël Young chose “Happier Than Ever” to try to get his ticket to the semi-final. “I really like to scream in my songs,” he told Marjo in rehearsal. I want to shout who I am. France d'Amour compared it to a poutine at 4 a.m. “It's good, it's good, it's good,” she added. I love everything about you, I adore you. I'll put you in my bag and I'll take you home.”

Mélanie Haché has agreed to reveal herself enormously through the lyrics of the song “In the name of reason”, by Laurence Jalbert. “You echo all the girls who leave their dreams behind and put family and everything else first,” France d'Amour said. You make the connection with the beauty of your voice.”

Christa Maria acclaimed by the public

With 74% of the public votes, and 33 points from the coach, Christa Maria Abou Akl advances to the semi-finals. This is the highest percentage of public votes this season.

“I want to thank Corneille who insisted that I sing in Arabic, expressed the winner, still surprised by her result. All immigrants know that leaving their country is one of the most difficult things, but arriving in Quebec with such a warm people, you can't do otherwise.”

Earlier, the 20-year-old singer wanted to echo her Lebanese roots by performing the song “Adieu mon pays” by Enrico Macias. She even revealed that her accession to the quarter-finals of “La Voix” had found an echo in the Lebanese media. “This girl is incredibly talented,” said Corneille at the end of her performance. You are a great vocal technician. In an increasingly divided world, you come up with this proposal, you federate. You are also the first to sing in Arabic at “La Voix”, all those who will do it afterwards, it will be because you have paved the way. You are a pioneer at 20.”

Because he begins to be happy in his life since he lives in Quebec, the Frenchman Sylveo shouted on “La Laideur”, by Safia Nolin. “If people knew what you went through to pick up all the little courage and stay up to be here, his coach told him, wiping away tears. You are the first non-binary artist at “La Voix”. There are many parents who experience the same loneliness. Tonight, you may have made people want to have a conversation that was due.”

She had promised herself that if she did the live broadcasts of “The Voice”, she would do a song by her father, Tomas Jensen. She chose “Montréal” from her repertoire, which she even called, wondering if there was a mistake in the lyrics. “I did not have the impression of seeing a candidate, I saw an artist. You were already there before and you will continue to be. I just can't wait to see the rest of your career.”

The semi-final candidates

Team Mario Pelchat

Steffy Beyong, 23, Montreal

Sophie Grenier, 17, Ottawa (Sauvé)

Team Corneille

Jay, 24 years old, Montreal

Christa Maria Abou Akl, 20 years old, Montreal

Team Marjo

Julie St-Pierre, 37 years old , Montreal

Christopher Therrien, 33 years old, Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska (NB)

Team Marc Dupré

Adam El Mouna, 19 years old, Ville-Sainte-Catherine

Loïk Jolicoeur, 16 years old, Saint-Constant