Christophe Willem

Christophe Frédéric Durier (French pronunciation: [kʁistɔf fʁedeʁik dyʁje]; born 3 August 1983), better known by his stage name Christophe Willem (French: [kʁistɔf wilɛm]), is a French singer and the winner of the fourth edition of Nouvelle Star (French version of Pop Idol) in 2006.

Christophe Willem
Willem in August 2015
Background information
Birth nameChristophe Frédéric Durier
Born (1983-08-03) 3 August 1983
Enghien-les-Bains, Île-de-France, France
OriginFrance
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
InstrumentsVocals, piano
Years active2006–present
LabelsColumbia
Sony Music
Associated actsZazie
Jenifer
Kylie Minogue
Jennifer Ayache

Early life

Christophe spent most of his life in Deuil-la-Barre (Val-d'Oise), where his parents run a driving school. As a child, he learned figure skating and to play the piano. Later he learned to sing as part of a gospel choir "Young Voices". He also was composing songs at the age of fourteen.

Before deciding to study to become a lawyer and calculus professor, he continued to practice music and in 2004 he appeared in a Richard Anconina film, Alive, where he played the role of Henri, a young man with a golden voice who is, nevertheless, not considered suitable for the lead role in a musical. Since his film career continued after this, he returned home, where he studied communication while working a number of part-time jobs, such as babysitting and helping in a theatre.

Nouvelle Star

Pushed by his family and friends, he decided to try out for the 2006 edition of Nouvelle Star. With an initial audition performance of Strong Enough by Des'ree, he surprised the judges, who did not expect such a quality voice from an admittedly ungainly-looking man. Nicknamed "La Tortue" (The Turtle) by Nouvelle Star judge Marianne James, he proved to be a popular contestant, and on 8 June, was crowned the fourth Nouvelle Star.

Performances

Career

Christophe Willem performing in 2015

His debut album Inventaire was released on 16 April 2007, while the first single, Élu produit de l'année premiered in March.

In May 2007 he released the second single Double Je, which went directly on the #1 in France and Belgium.[1][2] The third single, Jacques A Dit came out in autumn 2007. The album was well received and sold double platinum in France[3] and gold in Belgium and Switzerland. So far, the album has sold over 1 million copies.[4][5] Willem started his first tour on 15 November 2007 and it ended on 20 July 2008. He toured France, Belgium, Switzerland and the Overseas departments and territories of France, such as Réunion, Mauritius and even New Caledonia. He also sang several times in Paris at L'Olympia and Zenith, which are the most prestigious concert halls in Paris.

In 2007 Christophe Willem appeared on the list of the 10 musicians who earn the most in France (including income, record sales, concerts and contract). Christophe Willem was in 6th place and earned a total of 1.22 million euros in 2007.[6]

He joined artists such as Tears for Fears, Lara Fabian, and Murray Head on the Night of the Proms tour 2007.

His second album, Caféine, was published on 25 May 2009 and the album's first single was Berlin. The second single was Plus Que Tout and the third Heartbox.

Caféine went immediately to #1 in France.

In 2010, he joined the jury of French version of X Factor.

His third album, entitled Prismophonic was released a month and a day (21 November 2011) after the first single Cool (20 September 2011). The second single from the album is called Si Mes Larmes Tombent (January 2012)

In 2018, he served as one of the domestic judges for Destination Eurovision, the French national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. He will also join the French commentary team for the contest, teaming up with André Manoukian for the semifinals, as well Stéphane Bern and 2017 French representative Alma for the final.

Philanthropy

Willem is a member of the Les Enfoirés charity ensemble since 2008.[7]

Discography

Albums

Year Album Date of release Chart
FR FR
(DD)
BEL (FL) BEL (WA) SWI
2007 Inventaire 16 April 2007 1 1 - 1 7
Inventaire tout en acoustic 23 November 2007 22 6 - - -
2009 Caféine[8] 25 May 2009 1 1 - 2 10
2011 Prismophonic 21 November 2011 3 4 - 5 47
2014 Paraît-il 1 December 2014 17 - 200 12 51
2017 Rio 29 September 2017 7[9] - - 8 43

Singles

Year Single Chart Album
FR FR
(DD)
BEL (WA) SWI
2006 "Sunny" 3 2 9 17
2007 "Élu produit de l'année" 2 29 Inventaire
"Double je" 1 1 1 21
"Jacques a dit" 4 7 1 35
2008 "Quelle chance / September" 9 24
2009 "Berlin" 5 8 57 Caféine
"Plus que tout" 2 6 53
"Heartbox"
2010 "Entre nous et le sol"
2011 "Cool" 29 Prismophonic
2012 "Si mes larmes tombent" 56 10
"Starlite"
2013 "What Did I Do"
(with Sophie Delila)
110
2014 "Le chagrin" 52
"L'été en hiver" 137
2015 "Après toi" 93 27
2016 "Nous nus" 47
2017 "Marlon Brando" 29[10] 25

DVD

  • 2008 : Fermeture pour rénovation (#1 in France and #1 in Belgium)

Awards

Year Awards Category
2008NRJ Music Awards"Discovery of the year"
2008NRJ Music Awardsfor "Inventaire"
2008Victoires de la Musiquefor "Double Je"
2010NRJ Music Awardsfor "Best French male artist of the year"
2010NRJ Music Awardsfor "Caféine"

References

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