Paris Report by
Darius KADIVAR
Reality TV
Shows seem to divide the general public both in Europe and North America. Many question their utility and denounce
the perverted side effects, while others are passionately defending this new
platform that creates Stars as quickly as it destroys them overnight. What is
certain is that it leaves no one indifferent. Amongst such shows is the
successful French Star Academy that scrutinizes the whereabouts' and artistic endeavours
of 18 young recruits (watched 24 hours over 24 by the TV cameras of France's
number one privatized channel TF1) judged by a jury of professional artists in
the settings of a beautiful French Chateau in the outskirts of Paris.
Nassim and
Neïssa PARIZE twin sisters of Star Academy ©TF1
This
year's recruits included two beautiful 19 year old twin sisters born in the
US to Iranian parents. Nassim and
Neïssa PARIZE have been inseparable although both hope to graduate from their
respective fashion schools in Paris and Nice. In order to be together they
decided to test their chance at the famous TV show that has been running for
five consecutive years with an increasing success.
19 year old twins Nassim and Neïssa failed to convince Jury of Star
Academy 2005 ©TF1
Unfortunately for the
two aspiring artists they were eliminated after the first week of the shows
annual running. The reason: "Not good enough …" . A decision considered as
unjust by many viewers and some professionals who questioned the Jury's
impartiality for having chose the two outsiders as potential candidates in the
first place.
Darius Danesh as Billy
Flynn
©Broadway.com
Interestingly
in recent years after a similar UK show known as "Pop Idol", propelled another
Iranian Darius Danesh to stardom status and he has since been saluted as a
gifted composer and pop star after his successful release of his song "Colour
Blind" that topped in UK charts. Danesh will also appear on Broadway in the
title role of Billy Flynn the musical hit Chicago. (See: http://www.dariusmusic.com/)
Ironically
the expulsion of the Parize sisters actually generated a wave of sympathy and
support and for the twins who have been invited to various talk shows ( often on
the same channel TF1) to express their eagerness to pursue their artistic
endeavours.
In a
recent interview with French TV Magazine Télé Star, the twins reiterated their
determination to release a CD thanks to the contacts they have made in the show
business such as with the producer of French Pop Star Patrick Bruel. They also
hope to produce an album in Persian very soon in LA.
Asked what
they would do if they were unsuccessful, the twins (who are said to have their
mother's full support) responded simultaneously: "That is impossible! Any
hard work pays in the end. If we do not make it in France, we will
try elsewhere. If we were to do this adventure all over again we wouldn't
hesitate a second, but one thing is certain: as twins we form a band and nothing
and no one will separate us."
Authors
Notes:
Two Fan's
Forum dedicated to the twins:
http://nassim-neissa.bb-fr.com/index.forum
http://nassim-et-neissa.forumactif.com/
Star
Academy 2005 Official Website:
http://staracademy.tf1.fr/staracademy/?trk=1&e=2
About the Author: Darius
KADIVAR is a freelance journalist and film reviewer born to an Iranian father
and French mother. He works and lives in France.
