Popstars was a musical French fashioned around the international series Popstars. The French television series was broadcast on M6 for 4 seasons and was a pioneer in musical competitions in France.
The first season of Fremch Popstars was launched on 20 September 2001 and continued until 20 December 2001 won by L5, followed by a second season 2002 won by Whatfor, a third season in 2004 (known as Popstars - le duel) won by Linkup, and a final fourth season after 4 years of interruption, held in 2007 and won by Sheryfa Luna.
The first series was to launch pop groups from casting to the launch of a debut album, whereas series 4 was for launching of a solo artist. Genres of music presented ranged form pop to rock, R&B, rap and hip hop. Contrary to other competitions, eliminations were decided by a jury and not by the public.
Season 1 (2001)
- Broadcast: 20 September - 20 December 2001
- Jury:
- Santi, former general director of Mercury France
- Mia Frye, choreographer
- Pascal Broussot, artistic director of M6
- Winners:
- L5 - a girl band made up of Lydy (known as Louisy Joseph), Marjorie, Coralie, Alexandra and Claire)
Season 2 (2002)
- Broadcast: 29 August and 19 December 2002
- Jury:
- Valéry Zeitoun, director of AZ, a subsidiary of Universal Music
- Bruno Vandelli, choreographer
- Elisabeth Anaïs, songwriter
- Winners: Whatfor made up of Cyril, Nicolas, Érika and Monia (Monia Righi)
Season 3 (2003)
- Broadcast: 28 August until 20 November 2004
- The series was named "Popstars - le duel"
- Jury:
- Olivier Nusse, general director of ULM
- Angie Cazaux-Berthias, vocal coach, singer
- Roberto Ciurleo, director of NRJ radio station
- Winners: Linkup made up of Matthieu (Matthieu Tota) (later famous as M. Pokora), Lionel (Lionel Tim) and Otis
- Runners-up (in duel): Diadems
Season 4 (2007)
- Broadcast: 3 September - 26 October 2007
- Jury:
- Mia Frye, choreographer
- Benjamin Chulvanij, Music producer and director
- Sébastien Farran, music manager
- Ophélie Winter, songwriter and singer
- Workshop
- D.Dy: singing and urban flow workshop
- Youssoupha: writing workshop
- Nancy Marie-Claire: dance workshop
- Winner: Sheryfa Luna (solo)
- Other participants - Eliminations after:
- day 1: Fabio
- day 3: Delphine
- day 7: Lakdar, Noémie, Jonathan, Gabrielle, Samir and Mehdi (later the duo Twem)
- day 10: Sullivan and Emeraude
- day 12: Keda, Wendee, Salim, Ibtisame
- day 14: Yéché
- day 20: Nicolas, Romain, Priscillia and Nathanael
- day 25: Vanessa, Pierre-Jean, St Cyr
- day 30 (before the finals): Moussa, Isaac, Zack, Marion, Léa
- Finalists: Jessie and Hadja (with finalist Sheryfa Luna winning the contest)
In popular culture
- Of the participants in Popstars as part of groups, Louisy Joseph (of L5), M. Pokora (of Linkup).
- Identical twin brother Samir and Mehdi formed later the duo Twem and took part in both the British and the French X Factor competition.
- Winner from season 4 Sheryfa Luna became a succesful artist. 4th season contestant Léa Castel also had a solo career, whereas Zack, from season 4 became a professional dancer and dance instructor in French X Factor in its second season