The Voice Kids returns on TF1 this Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 9:10 PM for a twelfth season that leans into continuity, while weaving in a few fresh twists to the rules. On TF1’s channel (based in Boulogne-Billancourt, in the Hauts-de-Seine), Nikos Aliagas returns to steer the show, as Patrick Fiori, Santa, Matt Pokora and Soprano reclaim their red chairs.
And among the surprises in store for the audience, coach Matt Pokora pulled out a card from his sleeve that was as unexpected as it gets: the footballer Kylian Mbappé.
Good news for loyal fans: the quartet of coachs remains the same as last year. It’s actually a first since 2019, as Patrick Fiori, Santa, Matt Pokora and Soprano all sign on again to hunt for the young voices that will thrill the audience.
At the helm of the presentation, Nikos Aliagas keeps his spot. The real novelty unfolds backstage, where Styleto now steps in for Karine Ferri to accompany the 60 contestants, aged 6 to 15, before and after they take the stage.
Among the young talents anticipated for opening night, we spotlight Lila, the daughter of Jamel Debbouze and Mélissa Theuriau, who will take the stage at the talent show this Saturday, August 22.
On the mechanics side, several new rules add a twist to the blind auditions. Coaches can now dole out dares to one another, turning the challenge into a playful obstacle course. With the "Voxtroll," a coach's voice is altered, while the "Top Clock" demands convincing a talent in just seven seconds.
Another season’s discovery: "the call to a friend". This joker lets a coach summon a celebrity to tilt the balance in their favor. The snag is that the tactic doesn’t always work, with Matt Pokora himself admitting the jokers tended to fizzle out this year.
It's precisely because of this guy that Matt Pokora reached out to Kylian Mbappé. The singer and the 2018 World Cup champion have known each other for about ten years and enjoy a close relationship. Bound by his commitments, the footballer couldn't be on set, but he agreed to participate remotely via a video message.
For the coach, winning over his friend was no challenge: naturally drawn to anything involving kids, Kylian Mbappé reportedly sent his video the day after the request. It’s a win for the young talents, thrilled to have a figure of his stature on board. The question now is whether the recruitment pitch paid off, a suspense the singer prefers to keep for the broadcast.
Kylian Mbappé isn’t the only big-name addition on board. For the Group stage, the coaches can lean on a celebrity coach well known to viewers: Marina, winner of Star Academy 2024, who herself tried her luck on the show back in 2015.
As the season unfolds, more personalities step in to lend a hand, including Philippe Lacheau, Damien Sargue, Cécilia Cara, Lénie, Elsa Bois, and ventriloquist Jeff Panacloc. They inject a healthy dose of whimsy into the youngsters’ performances.
Join us this Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 9:10 p.m. on TF1 for the launch of the blind auditions, also available live and on demand on TF1+. The evening continues in the second half with the standout concert by Santa, the only woman on the coaches’ bench this year. A kickoff to season 12 that promises strategy, plenty of laughter, and exciting vocal discoveries.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
