Star Academy 2025: date, channel, sponsor, new features... what we know about this edition

The date of the return of "Star Academy" on TF1 is now known. The TV talent show returns to the airwaves on Saturday, October 18, 2025 for several weeks of competition. Who will succeed Pierre Garnier and Marine?

Three years ago, the famous musical TV talent show of the early 2000s, Star Academy, returned to our screens, much to the delight of nostalgic fans. It was a real success, thanks in particular to the season that saw Pierre Garnier's victory, followed by Marine 's last year. TF1 has decided to repeat the experience for another season, starting on Saturday October 18, 2025.

Star Academy: Marine is this season's winner
After a twelfth season, it was Marine who won the 2024 edition this Saturday, January 25, against Ebony. [Read more]

Recent seasons have appealed not only to younger contestants who didn't follow the show in its early years, but also to those who saw Jenifer, Nolwenn Leroy and Grégory Lemarchal become real stars in France. The new contestants, aged between 18 and 25, will arrive at the mythical chateau of Dammarie-lès-Lys, in the Seine-et-Marne region of France, to spend Christmas and New Year just as they did before.

This year, the show will continue to be presentedby Nikos Aliagas, accompanied by Karima Charni, with its daily show (weekdays at 5.30pm, Saturdays at 5.15pm and Sundays at 4.15pm), its weekly prime, its ratings and its phone-in minute. Every Saturday evening, three candidates will be at risk during the primetime show, with elimination by the public at the end of the evening. The prize is 100,000 euros for the winner, plus the release of an album with the Sony Music label. Michael Goldman, son of Jean-Jacques Goldman, is back in the role of Star Academy director.

What's new?

As for the teachers, Marlène Schaff remains in charge of scenic expression, Sofia Morgavi in singing and Ladji Doucouré in sports, as do the two répétirices Lucie Bernardoni and Fanny Delaigue, but two teachers are changing. Renowned choreographer Jonathan Jenvrin will take charge of the dance students, and stage director Alain Degois of the drama department.

New this year, a recording studio will be set up in the château to show apprentice singers all the facets of the profession. From now on, there will be singing-dancing challenges for one candidate at each prime, and "impossible" exercises to learn how to deal with the unexpected on stage. As for the godmother, Charlotte Cardin will be present for the candidates throughout the season, and more surprisingly, Ed Sheeran as godfather!

No doubt many singers and musicians from all over the world will be back on the TF1 set to sing a few notes with the new contestants!