Vincent Niclo, winner of Mask Singer: "I was in mourning, I needed rest"

Did you expect to win?

In the beginning, I ventured out without really thinking of winning. But as the weeks go by, we want to go further and continue to have fun. Halfway through the competition, I said to myself:i have to win“. My former producer (Franck Saurat, editor’s note) died in December, and he told me: “if you do Mask Singeryou have to win“I fought for him, too. He wanted me to one day be #1 on the Best Album chart in France. He left in December and last March I was #1 in physical sales with my album.” Celtic Opera. I dreamed it, it was very important to me that he got off to a very good start. Unfortunately my producer was no longer there, but I granted his wishes. I was happy for him.

first time Mask Singer Contacted you to join?

No, I’ve been asked to do this for several seasons. But making room for ten weeks in your schedule is complicated. Everything has its right time. This year the stars lined up. I had time, I was in mourning… I needed rest, to leave Canada and return to France. I wanted to do things that I wasn’t used to. Starting this program made me think, not face this painful reality. I wanted to start this new life in someone else’s place.

You finished in style by going on and making Jeff Panacloc cry. diego…

Jeff made me cry but the advantage of the costume is that it’s not obvious when you cry! Michèle Bernier and Camille Combal were also impressed. Something happened. Jeff and I know each other well, we have a great bond. He hurts me so much in all his shows. As they say, whoever loves well punishes well. I am his lucky charm, his mascot. He quotes me on all his shows and even has a mug with a picture of me that he drinks every time he goes on stage. This is crazy! He also knew my producer well, so he cried a lot. He knew what I was going through.

You also made the art director Pierre Billon cry in the studio.

Pierre Billon, I owe him a great deal. He was the one who coached me to work on a harder, scratchier, slightly dirtier sound. Worked with Johnny for years. To sing a song diego in front of him, it was very impressive to me. There was a boss reference! She shed tears, she was really sad. I don’t understand… I said to myself”Wow“…And during the rehearsals, it’s like I’m bringing out everything I’ve been through at the time. I really let myself out, it was like a cry of distress, and I think it’s felt. Also, the staging of the Prison was a subliminal message. I was a prisoner of my own body and it made me suffer. Thanks to Husky, I was able to blow everything up.

Jury Mask Singer asked you to save diego to be released as a single in the studio. will you do

This song touched me. I got the impression it had an effect. All Alone, when I sang in front of Celine Dion. It will remain a song in my repertoire. I don’t know if I’ll record it for the record, but that won’t stop me from singing it live.

Celine Dion cancels her ‘Courage Tour’ world tour, how did you react?

I am really sorry. I agree with him wholeheartedly. On November 4, 2012, it changed my life. He then invited me to do the opening act on the tour, which was not necessary. He has been very interested throughout my career. She is going through a very difficult time, but she will get through it. I trust his strength. I know people love him, they are waiting for him. Every day people talk to me about it. I wish him a speedy recovery, we miss him.

Like Jeff, some Internet users recognized you from the first broadcast.

It was very difficult to keep the secret. People who knew me recognized me at first, which is complicated because I’m on tour. I was meeting people all the time, even being promoted in Belgium, Canada, and everyone was talking to me about it. I found a parade, said it was a Canadian copycat, and that mixed the tracks! But there were also a lot of suspicious people because I didn’t have the same attitude. Dancing with Britney Spears or David Guetta… They said: “he can’t“. I even read: “Must be a dancer who sings well“!

Indeed, your dancing skills have not gone unnoticed. to be involved dance with the starsdid it help you?

Yes ! Dancing with the Stars is where I broke locks for the first time in my career. The producers warned me that people would discover me differently and I would learn a lot about myself. And it’s true on stage, thank you DALSI am much more free physically. And Mask Singerfinished this job. I feel completely relaxed and unrestrained on stage today. I am not afraid to express myself with my body.

You had more fun doing it Mask Singer HE DALS ?

Oh yes. Really ! If I had to do it again, I would do it again. Although being in character for two and a half months is a huge investment. I’ve had it in a good mood and there are some incredible technical gadgets that are very rare. I was a kid in the toy store.

How did you experience the protocol arranged to keep your identity confidential during the shoot?

At first, it’s weird. I felt like I was kidnapped! We pick you up away from home, you don’t need to talk, you have a mask, there is also a driver. You touch the window and it takes you to the studio… I felt like I was in a cult! But then we get used to it.

How was Husky’s costume chosen?

when offered to me Mask SingerI didn’t give my answer right away. I said it depends on the costume. Producer Anthony Meunier told me:Lucky for you, you definitely have one of the most beautiful costumes from season five.“He sent me the photo and I immediately liked the character. I also think he had a lot of influence on my victory. I don’t blame my performances, I tried to give the best, but I immediately saw that the costume attracted attention. Whether it was with the kids or the show crew on set. Those who saw all the costumes that passed by were glad to discover it at rehearsals. They were impressed. They even came to caress me! Face to face, even more impressive, we are impressed by it.

You surprised yourself. Do you think you surprised the public?

Yes, and if I believe all the messages I got, people were surprised. Twitter usually has a lot of haters, so I’ve been hallucinating all these beautiful posts I’ve read. The emotion I felt came through the microphone and the television.

You discovered and researched your rocker side. Will this be the theme of your next album?

(laughs) I don’t like to talk before my albums come out, but one thing is for sure, I came out of this experience completely different. I grew up and learned a lot about myself, my physique, my voice. It gave me ideas and it will have a huge impact on my next album.

Are you planning to find the role of presenter on television?

France Télévisions will entrust me with a new program at the beginning of the school year. It’s the best time to co-host, perform, and also help artists get out of their comfort zone. It is the continuation of what happened to me. Mask Singer ! This is a new concept, a creation that I really like.

Tell us about your album Celtic Operawhich is very successful.

He’s still number 5 in Canada, unbelievable! It works very well. There are very good collaborations on it, especially Manau, Dan Ar Baz, Soldat Louis, Bagad Kemper… A universe that I love but have never worked on. I like to put myself in danger and get rich artistically. Since the album is doing well, I’ll be releasing a collector’s reissue at the start of the school year with three unreleased titles and surprises.

You are also traveling…

It is called “Recital” and takes place in all churches and cathedrals of France. Specifically, I will be at the Eglise de la Madeleine in Paris on 20 June and finish in Nice on 2 July.

Jordan Landreau’s interview