Reality TV Shows seem to divide the general public both in Europe and North America. Many question their utility and denounce the perverted side effects, while others are passionately defending this new platform that creates Stars as quickly as it destroys them overnight. What is certain is that it leaves no one indifferent. Amongst such shows is the successful French Star Academy that scrutinizes the whereabouts’ and artistic endeavours of 18 young recruits (watched 24 hours over 24 by the TV cameras of France’s number one privatized channel TF1) judged by a jury of professional artists in the settings of a beautiful French Chateau in the outskirts of Paris.
This year’s recruits included a beautiful 19 year old born in the US to Iranian parents. Nassim Parize hopes to graduate from her fashion school in Paris.
Unfortunately for the aspiring artist, she was eliminated after the first week of the show’s annual running. The reason: “Not good enough …”. A decision considered unjust by many viewers and some professionals who questioned the Jury’s impartiality for having chosen the outsider as potential candidates in the first place
Interestingly in recent years after a similar UK show known as “Pop Idol”, propelled another Iranian Darius Danesh to stardom status and he has since been saluted as a gifted composer and pop star after his successful release of his song “Colour Blind” that topped in UK charts. Danesh will also appear on Broadway in the title role of Billy Flynn the musical hit Chicago. (See: http://www.dariusmusic.com/)
Ironically the expulsion of Parize actually generated a wave of sympathy and support for Nassim who has been invited to various talk shows ( often on the same channel TF1) to express their eagerness to pursue their artistic endeavors.
In a recent interview with French TV Magazine, Nassim reiterated her determination to release a CD thanks to the contacts they have made in the show business such as with the producer of French Pop Star Patrick Bruel. She also hopes to produce an album in Persian very soon in LA.
Asked what she would do if she was unsuccessful, Nassim (who is said to have her mother’s full support) responded simultaneously: “That is impossible! Any hard work pays in the end. If I do not make it in France, I will try elsewhere. If I were to do this adventure all over again I wouldn’t hesitate a second.”