Representative Albums: "Entre-Nous", "Dis-Moi Que Tu M'Aimes", "Live a l'Oympia
Biography
French pop chanteuse Chimène Badi vaulted to national fame via the hit reality TV talent showcase Pop Stars. Born in the Paris suburb of Melun on October 30, 1982, Badi grew up in the south of France, and at age six made her musical debut at a local amateur contest. While studying agriculture she recorded a series of demo tapes, but found no interest from labels. In 2002, Badi auditioned for the second season of the M6 Network's Pop Stars, and while she failed to move on to the finals, her powerhouse performances attracted the attention of juror Valéry Zeitoun, the director of the AZ label, who immediately extended a contract offer. Badi's debut single, the Rick Allison-penned ballad "Entre Nous," became a huge hit, selling more than a million copies between the French, Swiss, and Belgian markets and lent its title to her debut LP, released in early 2003. The follow-up singles "Je Vais Te Chercher" and "Si J'avais Su T'aimer" both topped the French charts, establishing Badi as the spiritual heir to the power ballad tradition of Celine Dion, and in mid-2003 she toured in support of French pop legend Johnny Hallyday. Her sophomore album, Dis Moi Que Tu M'aimes, followed in the autumn of 2004, generating three number one hits: "Je Ne Sais Pas Son Nom," "Retomber Amoureux," and "Je Viens du Sud." The concert set Live à l'Olympia, documenting Badi's February 2005 appearances at the legendary Paris music hall, hit retail in early 2006. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Chimène Badi is French soul singer (born October 30, 1982 in Melun, Seine-et-Marne). Her hits (or chansons, in French) include 'Je vais te chercher' (I'm going to search for you).
Chimène Badi was born in Melun, in the Paris suburbs but she spent her entire childhood in the south-west of France, growing up in Villeneuve-sur-Lot with her parents, Chérifa and Mohammed, her sister, Déborah, and her brother, Karim. Her sister Déborah encouraged her to persevere with her singing and Chimène went on to hone her vocal style still further, performing at family parties and regional song contests from the age of six.
Chimène also made her mark at her school's end-of-year shows, wowing the audience with her confident vocal performance. Teachers barely recognised Chimène who, when she was off stage, was a notoriously shy pupil, given to daydreaming and complexes about her appearance. Meanwhile, Chimène plugged away at her studies, going on to obtain a "BEP" in agribusiness.[1]
Musical career
She did not win the Frenchreality TV show, Popstars, but Badi released her first single Entre Nous in 2003, which reached number 1 in the French charts. An album of the same name reached number 4 in domestic charts, and became the 5th best selling French album of 2003.
Her follow up albums and singles enjoyed moderate success in Francophone Europe, including Wallonia and Switzerland. She also provided the French language theme song to The Day After Tomorrow - "Le Jour d'après" (The Day After).
