Ema Exits Star Academy in a Shocking Twist, Léane Saved

In a dramatic turn of events on TF1's popular talent show, Ema has chosen to leave the competition before her fellow contestants could decide which of the two finalists - herself or Léane - should be eliminated. The episode began with an energetic performance featuring hit songs such as 'Ne partez pas sans moi' by Céline Dion, 'Au bout de mes rêves' by Jean-Jacques Goldman, and 'Recommence-moi' by Santa, leading up to a lively rendition of ABBA's 'Voulez-Vous' in French.

This fifth episode of the season showcased past contestants, including notable alumni such as Marine, Anisha, Julien Lieb, and Ebony, making it a must-watch for fans of the series. Host Nikos Aliagas expressed his delight at the vibrant atmosphere in the studio, remarking on the excitement of the night ahead.

However, the episode was not merely a celebratory occasion; one of the 14 remaining contestants at the Château had to be eliminated. This week, Ema, Léane, and Théo L. found themselves in a precarious position. Léane, who had secured immunity the previous week, was relaxed as she took the stage first. She captivated the audience with a soaring performance of 'Read All About It' by Emeli Sandé, receiving enthusiastic applause.

Following Léane, Melissa and Lily delivered a rock-infused version of 'Les filles, les meufs,' joined by the song's original artist, Marguerite. They surprised the audience with a reunion performance featuring all the female contestants from last year's cohort. After a montage, Marine, the previous season's winner, performed her latest single alongside Ambre, moving both the audience and the judges.

The episode then progressed into a competitive segment, showcasing the top three contestants of the week: Anouk, Bastiaan, and Melissa. They battled through a classic Gilbert Bécaud song for the chance to earn immunity for the following week. Each contestant brought their unique flair, with Bastiaan's piercing blue eyes and delicate voice, Melissa's emotional delivery, and Anouk's dynamic variations in tone. The judges deliberated closely, ultimately awarding the immunity to Melissa.

Next, Léa and Sarah joined forces with Ebony and Lenie, both standout performers from previous seasons, for a powerful medley of Beyoncé's 'Run the World (Girls).' Dance instructor Jonathan Jenvrin expressed his amazement at the high level of performance from these four contestants. Enola, a finalist from four years ago, revisited Diane Tell's 'Si j'étais un homme' with Jeanne, while Louis performed 'It's All Coming Back to Me Now' with Ambre.

In a poignant moment, Anisha revisited Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' alongside Léa, a song that had brought her victory in 2022. Their heartfelt rendition moved the audience and judges alike. Various duets followed, including Victor performing 'Quelques mots d'amour' with Lily and Frank teaming up with Victor for 'Pour ne pas vivre seul,' eliciting emotional responses from the audience.

As the episode progressed, Anouk faced a challenge that tested her confidence and stage presence. She performed Olivia Rodrigo's 'Vampire' while suspended from the ceiling, showcasing her determination and talent. This daring performance earned her a commendable average score of 15 out of 20.

Jeanne also delivered a heartfelt performance, beginning with 'La Bohème' by Aznavour and 'La Seine' by M and Vanessa Paradis. Overcome with emotion, she paid tribute to her late grandfather with 'Mon Idole,' culminating in a personal song titled 'Respire fort,' which the audience sang along to.

As the episode approached its climax, the time came to reveal which contestant would exit the competition. Ema, nominated for the third time, performed 'Secret' by Louane, pouring her heart into the song. Following her, Léane sang 'Tu n'es plus là' by Amel Bent. Théo L. then took the stage with a gentle rendition of 'En apesanteur' by Calogero, hoping to secure his place in the competition.

A surprising twist arose when the audience chose to save Théo L., leaving Ema and Léane to face off. In a shocking decision, Ema opted out of the final showdown, expressing her desire to step aside for Léane. Ema explained her reasoning, stating that she had already been saved by her peers twice and felt it was time for Léane to have her chance. She emphasized her intention to leave the competition with dignity and a renewed sense of purpose, focusing on her aspiration to write and share her music with others.

This unexpected decision left fellow contestants stunned and marked a significant moment in the season. The episode concluded with a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead in the competition.