ÃÂ la recherche de la nouvelle star (Looking for the new Star) is a reality television show based on the popular British show Pop Idol. The show is a contest to determine the best young singer in La Francophonie. It was hosted by Benjamin Castaldi. The Belgian singer Jonatan Cerrada won over Thierry Amiel with 50.4% of the total votes, and went on to represent France at the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest, with "ÃÂ chaque pas".
After the first season the show was renamed Nouvelle Star.
The inaugural season of ÃÂ la Recherche de la Nouvelle Star had seven audition cities to find the best talent not only in France, but also Belgium and Canada:
(ages stated at time of contest)
Theme: Contestant's Choice
Theme: My Birth Year
Theme: Film Hits
Theme: Pop Hits
Theme: Funky Hits
Theme: Années 2000
Theme: Le Voyage
Theme: Hommage