How did you get into this adventure?
Yanis Marshall: The production contacted me and said that I fit the profile of the dance teacher. I still had to pass the screen test to be approved. I really wanted to do the show!
Are you a regular of the program?
I am a true fan! I grew up watching this series. I was very upset when it stopped. My biggest regret is not working on the first editions that had the chance to host my idols like Madonna, Tina Turner, Mariah Carey.
Do you have any special memories from previous seasons?
Like everyone else, I was very impressed with Grégory Lemarchal… I’ve always loved Jenifer. I also collaborated with him when I started my career as a choreographer. He had contacted me for the title Sur le fil de ma vie.
You share another link with the show that will be collaborating with 15 year old Kamel Ouali…
Of course, he hired me for the musical. sun king Actually, I met him before when I was 14. He was on the set of an episode of the show under the sun, Where Tonya Kinzinger opened a dance school. He was looking for young dancers from the area. That’s how he noticed me.
Have you kept in touch with him or asked for advice?
We’re still seeing each other, but I’m not one to seek advice. I like to learn on my own, even if I have to make mistakes. I’m not here to make a sequel to Kamel, I’m Yanis. Let’s clear up the rumors: I have endless respect for Kamel, but we are very different. We won’t necessarily do star ac the same way, that’s not the point.
How did you experience live prime time last Saturday?
I was so stressed that I sprained my ankle. I knew I could endure 2 minutes of dancing, but I was going to pay for it for a month (laughs).
What kind of teacher are you?
I may be a clown, but I’m also demanding. I will shout, but not out of malice, but to motivate. That’s why I have no voice today (laughs)
In the first lesson, you tightly reframe the yawning Léa…
(Laughs) It was spontaneous, but it doesn’t represent my one-and-a-half hour lecture, which was great fun overall.
What do you expect from academics?
A willingness to learn and a respect for teaching. Even if it’s not their favorite discipline, we always have something to learn. I don’t sing, but music fascinates me, so I need to learn from my singing teacher (editor’s note by Adeline Toniutti). I want to be a little mouse to attend his class.
How was the initial assessment?
It was rock’n’roll (Laughs). There were differences of opinion. But I must say that I am not a very easy person either (laughs). We each have personalities, we discover each other, we will learn to work together. But apart from the evaluations, we all get along very well and support each other.
You are also the choreographer of the show, how do you go about it?
Hell, I’ve never worked this hard but I’ll sleep when I die (laughs). Doing two jobs at the same time, I will need to learn to delegate to my great assistants Julie Ruzafa and Matt Antonucci. Arnaud Boursain will be the third on-set assistant I’ve joined in Britain’s Got Talent in the coming weeks.
You are known as the herald of the hexagonal heel dance.
For a long time, I was the only person to teach this discipline in France before it became popular. I’m not saying this because of an allegation, because I was very discouraged at the time. I was insulted and there weren’t many people in my classes. This is a source of glory and pride because this style, which has become indispensable today, was not easy to impose.
Why this accessory?
Because I’m a rebel, I’m gay because I’m tired of being pink for girls and blue for boys. And for dancing well in heels! It fascinates me to go places where no one has gone. I hate looking like everyone else.
Danse avec les étoiles welcomes same-sex couples, you dance in heels at prime time… Have we finally managed to change mindsets for the LGBT cause?
We were very late in France because I’ve always done this abroad. Seven years ago I was greeted with open arms in the United States, the same in London. I don’t know if it’s really changed, but it was the first time I worked in my home country and I felt understood… and it feels good!
Sarah Ibri
Source: Programme Television
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