During the November 6, 2026, prime-time broadcast of the 14th season of Star Academy on TF1, director Mosimann faced scrutiny from viewers for his consistently serious demeanor. In a subsequent explanation on his Twitch channel, the 38-year-old DJ revealed that his lack of smiles during performances was due to necessity rather than attitude. Mosimann wears hearing protection devices known as 'ears,' which isolate him from external noise to ensure accurate assessment of the contestants' vocal performances. He noted that smiling or moving the lower part of his face could shift the 'ears,' altering the sound he hears and compromising his ability to evaluate the students properly. Mosimann further clarified that remaining still helps maintain the integrity of the audio cues in his ears. 'You shouldn't move, lest you amplify, attenuate, or change the sound you have in your ears,' he stated. He described the experience as being inside a 'bubble,' where concentrating on the music requires physical stillness. This revelation came after internet users questioned why he always 'made a face' despite appearing friendly off-camera, with Mosimann jokingly attributing it to his 'evil twin' before providing the technical justification. The same evening also highlighted other key moments, including contestant Morgan's elimination and host Nikos Aliagas clarifying a controversial interaction with contestant Cameron, which had sparked online debate about whether he was reprimanding the singer. Mosimann's explanation added context to the high-pressure environment of the show, where the director's focus is critical. [1] [2]
Following the prime of winners, where twelve former champions returned to the stage, Mosimann announced significant changes to the upcoming evaluation structure. The thirteen remaining candidates will now form three teams—Blue, Red, and Yellow—to compete against each other. This new format aims to increase suspense and collective responsibility within the castle. The evaluations are scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The winning team will avoid nominations, while the other two teams will face the nomination bench during the prime on Saturday, November 14. One team will be saved by public vote, but the losing team will see each member defend individually, with one contestant departing. Mosimann warned that the upcoming prime would be 'full of suspense,' potentially resulting in four or five nominations due to the large number of remaining candidates. [2]
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