20 years ago, Star Academy 3 revealed to the public the young Franco-Moroccan Sofia Essaïdi and her vocal prowess, which she has never relinquished. Last month, for example, she performed at the gala evening of the Music & Wine 2023 festival, alongside pianist Michel Amsellem.
Equally charmed by the pretty brunette’s cinematic performances, I have to admit that at this moment, in the context of the interview, I’m equally charmed by her sincerity!
The exchange that quickly ensues is fluid, the answers as spontaneous as they are pertinent; I’m in for a treat. So, in front of this young woman, soon to be 39, natural, pleasant and ready to answer all my questions, I forget that I’m first and foremost in the presence of a great artist, at ease on all the stages of her life.
Is being “a woman among men” easier in showbiz than elsewhere?
As I’ve only known this environment, I can’t make any comparisons, and I won’t go into the subject of sexism or inequality. What I can say, however, is that I’m proud of the roles I choose, which give women their rightful place! Like Caroline Dewitt in the historical saga Les Combattanteswhich is a huge hit! We’re happy to be promoting French cinema abroad, but also to have four women on the bill, the girl power (laughs), that touches me. I don’t know if this would have been possible a few years ago, but things are changing, even if there’s still a long way to go… Great American actresses, to name but a few, are still fighting for equal pay for men and women, for example!
Do you have any other passions besides your job?
I live and breathe my passion every day! (Her eyes sparkle.) I’m very fulfilled, because the stage, music and acting are all gateways to the same passion: artistic expression! But… (she clasps both hands together) for the past few years, I’ve had an all-consuming interest in everything to do with working on oneself. Finding your place, feeling good in your body, is like a quest for wisdom. But it’s also the work of a lifetime, after all! It leads to healing, understanding, self-acceptance… inner liberation. I choose roles where the emotional journey is a liberation. Or not, for that matter (laughs)! This work leads to the freedom to be who you are, without being a slave to your wounds, your emotions, your limiting beliefs… (Sofia could talk about this for hours, her fervor is touching.) Because even when it feels like we’re free, we’re not! We’re slaves to reacting instead of acting!
The aim is to find a foundation… to get through everything, to accept the difficult moments, to live in harmony, to create healthy links with people, without any notion of belonging – even if only with one’s spouse – to base one’s life on benevolence and respect. This path towards oneself, towards a wiser and more serene life, is an absolute passion! (A broad smile lights up her face).
Is there a simple way for a woman to reach her full potential?
You’re fulfilled when you know yourself, when you’re on your own path. I’m not saying it’s easy, but for example, in my career as a singer, I wasn’t fulfilled. I love group projects, multi-artist albums… I never found my place as a solo artist! I tried to impose myself, to prove that I had things to say… but nobody was interested. I was up against a wall. When you’re not listened to, not recognized… it’s hard… and you’re unhappy. What I’m about to tell you is classic, but I was something of a misunderstood singer. And when I finally stopped fighting, I gained in positive energy and turned to film. I took on a coach to work on acting, to be legitimate, and I landed more and more interesting roles… that suited me. That’s when I really understood that I’d found my place, that I was on my way. Since then, I’ve blossomed as an actress.
No big return to music, then?
Oh yes, I will! I’ll return to music, of course, but with love and kindness, doing what I want to do… Those who want to follow me will follow me. I’m convinced that I’ll also find fulfillment in music, because I’ve come this far to get there, to get rid of my pain, my anger and my resentment. I used to solve a lot of things through conflict, but now I have other ways of solving my problems, other weapons (Sofia looks so serene!).
Is the fulfilled woman you are still plagued by doubts?
For years, I’ve had a lot of doubts… but blocking doubts, the kind that prevent you from moving forward. That’s no good! In fact, I think it’s great to have doubts. People tend to think I’m confident, but I start every film with doubts, telling myself I’ll never make it (she brings her hands to her face), but because I work so hard and prepare so much for each film, I’ve discovered that it gives me confidence. And above all, on a film set, this work is synonymous with respect! When I see the number of actors who turn up on D-day without knowing a single line of the script, what a lack of respect for all the teams! For the writers who have often worked for years on a script, for the directors who sometimes take just as long to bring a project to fruition! I’ll never have any respect for people who take the liberty of approaching things in this way! Because we’ve got a name, the film crew must think they’re lucky to have us? Never! If I know I won’t have time to work on my role, I’ll turn the project down. It’s a question of respect.
The dreams of the 2000s kid
My childhood in Morocco was extremely happy. I was a teenager with a head full of dreams, a body full of dreams… it was all overflowing (she gestures with laughter)! My parents were very protective of me, shielding me from the pains of life… but also conditioning me in terms of my studies, which were of paramount importance in the family! We were destined for a great education! I did my first year at Paris Dauphine… and then there was Star Ac’, which immediately swept me off my feet. For six or seven years, I renewed my enrolment by correspondence, telling myself that I would inevitably have time to finish my university course. But I never did! You know, even though I was in the process of realizing my dream, I still had to undergo psychoanalysis to be able to stop my studies, to get rid of the weight of my family and society!
The artist’s hits of the 2010s
Until 2014, everything explodes, everything goes very well for me! The musical Cleopatra is a hit. What a joy! When I was a little girl, when I discovered this theatrical genre that brought together my three passions, I thought it was a profession and I wanted to be a “musical actress”! (Laughs.) And then there was the success of the TV series Aïcha, my two NRJ Music Awards… (She becomes more serious again.) But it was also the moment when I said to myself that I wanted to make music on my own and release an album. And then… the wall in front of me! (She’s miming, I feel like I’m hitting it too.) The beginning of the difficulty, the disillusionment. I don’t understand, because I feel like an artist, but for my teams, I’m a product. In those days, I used a lot of force and fighting to get things across. And I wear myself out! In 2015, I began this inner, liberating work to change my approach to the business and, above all… to stop making music! For a while, anyway. Today, I want to do things that speak to me, that I enjoy and that deeply resemble me.
Messages from the woman of the 2020s
I think it’s wonderful to be a woman, it’s a great opportunity and I’m very proud of it. You have to have faith in that, in yourself! I know it’s easy for me to say that, in my condition. I find it so sad what all those who live in countries where freedom is scorned go through, and I send them all my love… (Sofia is shaken.) We all – man or woman – have within us the strength to take this path towards ourselves… but we don’t all have access to it! I’m a very positive, optimistic person, I always see things moving forward… so maybe my message would be to dream as hard as you can, because when you dream hard… it comes true, believe me! And all the girls who dream, I encourage them to say to themselves: “I can be who I want to be and have the place I deserve!
After an hour, Sofia is late for her reflexology treatment, but doesn’t regret having given me over an hour of her time. Nor do I, that’s for sure! She concludes by praising the Constance Prince Maurice’s impeccable welcome and service. “I was truly pampered. Beyond the luxury, there’s a human side to this place that comes first, a soul… It touches me, because that’s far from being the case everywhere! I’ll be back, without a doubt, because that’s what I really liked here! Just like the extreme kindness of Mauritians, who live up to their reputation! I’d heard that in Paris, but it’s true!
We kiss, I watch her speed off to the spa and return to my car… with a smile on my face. Both happy to have “broken through” to Sofia… and frustrated not to have continued the exchange – without tape recorder or questions – from woman to woman… who would probably still have so much to say to each other.
