This weekend, one did not need to look up at the sky or gaze at the sea to drown in the blue of our French Riviera. The azure blue color, dear to the locals of Nice, could be seen in the starry eyes of Nolwenn Leroy, who attended the 10th anniversary of the ‘Pièces Jaunes’ campaign.
An indelible smile graced her face, prompting Nice-Première to approach her. She had just come off stage when we intercepted her on her way, accompanied by her agent who didn’t have time to refuse the interview granted by the former academy contestant.
Unlike her colleague from Nice, the “brunette singer with the velvet voice” was very available. Her cheerful demeanor clearly showed she was happy to be among us: “Nolwenn Ohwo”! “Nothing has changed,” she is still as beautiful as ever!
N-P: Today, you are participating in the Pièces Jaunes operation. What does this event mean to you?
N.L.: This is the first year I am on the ‘Pièces Jaunes’ trains. It means a lot since the Pièces Jaunes operation is about raising funds to support hospitals, children in hospitals, including the construction of homes for teenagers. The first one, I believe, was the ‘Maison de Solenn’. Today, other houses are being built. It’s about raising money to fund all this. It’s become somewhat of a tradition. This year, we celebrate the tenth anniversary of Pièces Jaunes. Ten years of success, where artists mobilize to raise funds alongside Madame Chirac. It’s a pleasure to be here with my friends and colleagues “Chanteur” for the same fight, in the rain but with a lot of warmth from the public nonetheless. It’s a joy.
N.L. : Absolutely. It’s true that the fight for children is close to my heart since I am also a sponsor of Operation Cadeaux with UNICEF. This is the fourth year. I try whenever I can to mobilize to support associations. Today, I am also actively engaged in the Abbé Pierre foundation, which I support enormously. I try to do as much as I can, to contribute a little to the building, it’s not much but being voluntary and moving when we have the opportunity to move forward and collect a max of Pièces Jaunes, to make a max of projects!
N.L.: Today, I feel good in my shoes, I am consistent with who I am and what I do, and I just feel comfortable. I am happy to present my music to the public. The album was released on December 5th and there’s been a very good reception from the public and the media. We worked for a very long time on this project. Yes, it’s true that it took me some time to work on this record. I learned a lot alongside Laurent Voulzy. The final goal is to present this to the public, and when it pleases, it is even more wonderful.
N.L.: It’s pop. It’s fresh. It’s my other facet. Today, I feel more complete. I express my dreamy side. People know me better. They are familiar with my two facets. This is certainly why I feel more comfortable.
N.L.: It was a very moving moment for me live. It was a very perilous exercise. Florent Pagny does it remarkably well. I have a classical training and for 10 years, I did solfège and violin and singing Carmen was a wink. I had a lot of fun doing it. I’ve always listened to everything and I am rich from all styles of music including opera. It was a pleasure to share it with the audience that day.
N.L.: A super beautiful tour, which should start in September. I’m currently working on this tour. I will pick up instruments such as the violin, piano, and of course, singing. I am preparing something that will be the extension of my album with its new songs. I am eager to return to the stage and to the public. That’s what you can wish me the most beautiful for 2006, at least, by the end of 2006.
Interviewed by Audrey Bollaro
