INTERVIEW- Kiona, the youngest of "The Voice": "I thought Vianney thought I was pretentious and it hurt me"

Solène Delinger 21:45 pm, May 20, 2023

How did you experience the super cross battles stage?

I lived it really well because I had more confidence in myself compared to the other events of The Voice. I was obviously very stressed but I felt like I belonged.

Why did you choose to interpret Kendji's Les yeux de la mama?

It was Vianney's choice. I didn't want to sing it at all because I had already performed it when I was younger. So I thought it was childish and I wanted a more "adult" song for super cross battles. I finally let myself be convinced because Vianney made arrangements that I liked a lot. I also thought it was a nice way to pay tribute to my mom, to whom I am very close. I think she must have been touched by this little wink because she can't accompany me on all stages of The Voice because of her work. She was only able to attend the blind auditions.

READ ALSO- INTERVIEW- Fanchon, big favorite of "The Voice": "I had some fears to find myself in the team of Bigflo and Oli"

How was your coaching with Vianney?

The coaching was going to be very complicated because Vianney changed a lot of things in the song. The end result is much better than what we did during rehearsals (Laughter).

How has your relationship with Vianney evolved since the beginning of the show?

We had to find each other a little bit and it took time. I would say that there is a very strong bond between us since the Cross Battles. Vianney is like my mentor because I'm the youngest member of the show. He has supported me from the beginning and is extremely kind to me. He is a person as great humanly as artistically.

What kind of coach is he?

He is authoritarian. With him, you have to work hard. He wants me to be the best and give myself the means.

After the battle stage, there was a little misunderstanding between Vianney and you...

After my performance, Vianney talked to me about humility. So I understood that he thought I was pretentious and it hurt me. When we met again in coaching, I asked him if he really thought I lacked humility because that's not at all the image I want to convey. He explained to me that this was not at all what he had meant but that he wanted me to remain 100% myself. He also told me that I had to live things as a 16-year-old and not as an adult.

You exude great maturity. Mika, who was "great coach this Saturday night, pointed it out to you...

Yes, Mika insisted on the traditional side of my performance and he was right. In all humility, it's true that I have a certain maturity when I sing and it can be disconcerting because I'm only 16 years old. But it is also this contrast that makes me unique.

For these super cross battles, you found yourself facing the duo formed by Prichia and Mea. Did that put pressure on you?

Yes, a lot. It's very difficult to be against two people, especially against Prichia and Mea. They know how to do everything: dance, sing, beatboxer... They are really complete. I enjoyed their performance so much that it was unimaginable to me that the audience would not choose them.

You were however qualified hands down with 80.2% of the vote...

It's totally crazy! And that's partly thanks to Mika, who also voted for me.
You are therefore qualified for the semi-final, which will take place on Saturday, May 27. How do you approach this new stage?

It's just around the corner so I'm starting to stress. And then, it will be live so everything will be exposed, there will be no right to error. I'm going to have to work extremely hard.