How did you experience your performance at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, and what impact has it had on your career?
Paris was transformed, the world was celebrating in that torrential rain. I loved being part of this tableau, where all the dances were represented. There was a maximum concentration visible in the eyes of all the artists; live performances have that adrenaline which makes a moment unique. I thank Maud Le Pladec, now the director of CCN Nancy, for allowing me to express myself in different arenas. This stage was also the first time we danced with Romain Guillermic, world champion of electro dance. This ceremony fueled our desire to create together; today, we have founded our dance company: SAME BUT DIFFERENT.
What motivated you to return as a judge for this 14th season of “Dancing with the Stars”?
DALS is a program I cherish and have been part of since 2011. This show has been, and still is, a fantastic learning ground. I have developed my dance, choreography, direction, and pedagogy there. Being a jury member allows me to strengthen my discourse, guide non-professionals, and speak simply to make the art of dance accessible. This program is family-oriented, it brings people together, and it can inspire vocations. It also reminds me that as a teenager, I dreamed while watching dancers on screen.
Between “Bastion 36” on Netflix, “Délocalisés” in cinemas, and your upcoming projects in fiction, what are your next acting aspirations?
I have a strong desire to act. To participate, serve, and defend a project. To be stimulated by the writing and the vision of a director. Bringing a character to life, whether through dance or acting, is something I love to interpret. There’s something transcendent about it. Dreaming is good; we’ll see!
What can you tell us about your character in “Rien ne t’efface” and the experience of working with Jérôme Cornuau?
Working with Jérôme Cornuau is about sharing, communicating, and creating with an artist, a man who is 100% committed. There is a great freedom in proposals. He is a director I wanted to work with, I knew his work, his involvement, and his kindness. The character of Sabine is a gift, she made me experience a whole range of emotions.
How is the creation of your dance company with Romain Guillermic going, and what are your goals?
In parallel, Romain Guillermic and I are developing our company: SAME BUT DIFFERENT. We just returned from the Ballet de Lorraine, where Maud Le Pladec gave us a carte blanche, we created a one-shot sequence with the dancers of CCN. Dance, choreography, direction, and teaching are words that inspire us. We aspire to create a live performance soon.
How does dance influence your acting career?
Dance has always been for me a story of feeling, searching, and hard work. It’s an art that requires great investment. I approach acting with the same energy when I’m given a role. I love working, as a passionate person, I find that research brings great freedom of action.
You mentioned your taste for risk in your career, can you give us a concrete example?
Being on stage is a risk every time; it’s dizzying. It’s not so much the taste for risk that I enjoy, but rather the curiosity about it; it allows for self-transcendence and discovering unexpected spaces.
You are passionate about reading, if you could only choose one book, which one would it be and why?
That’s a tough question! (Smile) Each reading has its time. A library in the bedroom, a particular emotion in mentioning Jack Kerouac and Hubert Selby. My mother’s cousin would give me a book every Christmas, these writers were part of his selection. He sparked my love for reading. On a shelf in the living room, there’s Virginia Woolf: “A Room of One’s Own,” Anaïs Nin: “What I Wanted to Tell You,” and other works by women. I love learning from the experiences of others.
What would you wish for the readers of LiFE Magazine?
A beautiful, radiant day! A bright, sunlit summer.
Make the most of it, live fully… and above all, do what makes your heart beat faster ! Let’s go!
