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- Helena Bailly wins Best Original Song with a breakout hit
- What happened on stage: emotion, family news and gratitude
- The route from talent show contestant to acclaimed artist
- Why “Mauvais garçon” connected with listeners
- Ceremony highlights: tributes, records and other major winners
- Helena’s evolving place in the francophone music scene
Helena Bailly walked off the stage at the 2026 Victoires de la Musique with one of the night’s biggest honours, as her single “Mauvais garçon” earned Best Original Song and capped a meteoric rise that has critics and fans talking. The 23-year-old artist used the stage to thank supporters and share a personal moment, while the ceremony itself delivered memorable tributes and surprise wins.
Helena Bailly wins Best Original Song with a breakout hit
The awards night, held on Friday, February 13, 2026, showcased the French music scene in full. Broadcast live on France 2 and chaired by Mika, the ceremony was presented by Cyril Féraud and Helena Noguerra. Notably, organisers highlighted a first: there were more female nominees than male across categories.
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Helena was nominated in five categories and left with the trophy for Best Original Song. Her single “Mauvais garçon” reached platinum status just four months after release, a commercial milestone that matched her industry buzz.
What happened on stage: emotion, family news and gratitude
When accepting the award, Helena spoke warmly about the team and her audience. She framed the win as a shared achievement and insisted the recognition felt like real proof of belonging in the music world.
She also revealed a personal joy: a new niece was born the same day, a surprise detail that added to an already emotional evening. The moment connected her public success with private happiness.
The route from talent show contestant to acclaimed artist
Helena’s journey began on a televised singing competition. After reaching the semi-finals of the 11th season of Star Academy, she built her career steadily, rather than overnight.
- Age 23 and emerging as a prominent Francophone voice.
- Five nominations at the 2026 Victoires de la Musique.
- Platinum certification for “Mauvais garçon” within months.
- Recent invitation to join the Enfoirés troupe.
She credited the intensity of the Star Academy experience with giving her tools for live performance and a sense of collective support, which she says helped her grow as an artist.
Why “Mauvais garçon” connected with listeners
The song’s appeal lies in its emotional honesty and catchy production. Helena described it as a personal creation that nonetheless found a place in many listeners’ lives.
The single opened doors by bringing her music to a wider audience and allowing people to relate to a message about togetherness and resilience.
Streaming, radio and industry reaction
Rapid streaming growth and radio play pushed the track to platinum. Industry insiders view the award as confirmation that Helena’s sound can bridge mainstream attention and artistic credibility.
Ceremony highlights: tributes, records and other major winners
The evening featured a moving tribute to Nana Mouskouri that honoured her decades-long influence. Another standout was Theodora, who collected multiple awards, including Album of the Year and several newcomer categories.
- Theodora: Album of the Year, New Female Revelation, Live Revelation, and Audiovisual Creation.
- Nana Mouskouri: honoured in a televised segment celebrating her career.
- Hosts and producers praised the diversity of nominees and the prominence of women this year.
The night underscored shifts in the French music landscape, with fresh voices gaining recognition and veteran artists receiving heartfelt tributes.
Helena’s evolving place in the francophone music scene
Helena has moved from reality-TV contestant to a figure increasingly accepted by the industry. She described feeling more legitimate and confident after the award, ready to claim space in the music world.
This validation comes at a moment of rapid momentum, with more live shows, collaborations, and media attention likely to follow.
