NRJ Music Awards: Slimane in tears but awarded in full despair, the winners of the 2024 ranking” width=”1500″ height=”1002″/>
The NRJ Music Awards ceremony on November 1, 2024 was notably marked by the speech of Slimane, Francophone artist of the year, in the midst of sexual harassment.
The 26th season of the NRJ Music Awards took place on Friday 1 November 2024 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. The evening, hosted by Nikos Aliagas and broadcast on TF1, saw great characters pass by: Indochine, David Guetta, Amir, Vitaa… and Slimane, among others. The singer’s arrival at the ceremony was uncertain until early afternoon the day before. As revealed The Parisian just a few days before the ceremony, Slimane was the target of a sexual harassment complaint, filed by one of his former technicians.
According to his accuser, the singer forced him into a hug before forcibly taking him to his dressing room where he asked him to have sex, on the sidelines of his tour in 2023. The alleged victim claims to have received messages and videos from a sexual intercourse or even pornographic nature, for several hours after this altercation. Facts firmly denied by Slimane.
This did not prevent the singer from being present, going on stage, winning an award and giving a speech during the NRJ Music Awards 2024. As the organizer of the event confided Slimane, who received the Francophone male artist of the year award, was in tears on stage. “He has a special taste,” she began, tearfully, before telling her daughter that she hoped she would be proud of him when she grew up and thanked her parents. He concluded by saying, “To my audience, from one human being to so many other human beings, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Very little applause for Slimane behind the scenes
During the NRJ Music Awards, Slimane’s performance and speech were clearly received favorably by the audience. Behind the scenes, however, the reception was more mixed. Second The Parisianwhen he was awarded the prize, the silence was heavy, only two people applauded. Several artists, whose names were not mentioned by the newspaper, felt that Slimane’s presence was disturbing in light of the allegations, but that as this ceremony was a celebration, it needed to be addressed.
Nicola Sirkis’ speech in the midst of the frenetic NRJ Music Awards also did not go unnoticed. The Indochinese singer, crowned French-speaking group of the year, dedicated this trophy to “all those who suffer moral, academic or sexual harassment”. A phrase that particularly resonated this evening.
The winners of the NRJ Music Awards 2024
The NRJ Music Awards, broadcast at the start of the long weekend, being Friday 1 November a holiday, brought together 3.57 million viewers for the first part of the first part, behind France 2 which collected 5.37 million.
Among the nominees, established artists such as Slimane, Gims and Aya Nakamura mix with emerging talents such as Héléna and Pierre Garnier, revealed by the Star Academy. In the international category, stars such as Dua Lipa, Beyoncé and Eminem have tried to win a trophy.
Revelation in French:
- Winner by Pierre Garnier
- Carbonne
- Elena
- Jack
- Jungle
International revelation:
- Benson Boone winner
- Chappell Roan
- Dasha
- Myles Smith,
- Teddy swims
French speaking artist:
- Vitaa wins
- Aya Nakamura
- Louane
- Santa Claus
- Zaho de Sagazan
International Female Artist:
- Taylor Swift winner
- Beyoncé
- Billie Eilish
- The cool Weeknd
- Eminem
- Lil Nas
- Post Malone
- Shawn Mendes
- Beautiful Things – Benson Boone gagnant
- Training season – Dua Lipa
- Eyes closed: imagine dragons
- Express – Sabrina Carpenter
- Losing Control - Teddy swims
- Dadju & Tayc – I love you gagnant
- Gims & Dystinct – Spider
- Joseph Kamel and Julien Doré – Beau
- Keblack & Franglish – Boucan
- Kyo & Colorless Night – I run
- Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile gagnant
- David Guetta & OneRepublic – I don’t want to wait
- Kygo and Ava Max – Whatever
- Sevdaliza, Pabllo Vittar & Yseult – Alibi
- Taylor Swift and Post Malone – Fortnight
- Indochina winner
- Calema
- Justice
- Kyo
- Shaka Ponk
- Coldplay are thrilled
- Imagine Dragons
- Linkin Park
- Moonlight
- UnaRepubblica
- Winner David Guetta
- Calvin Harris
- Justice
- Ofenbach
- Sound of legend
- Little Genius – Jungeli ft. Imen is a winner
- Paint the Town Red - Doja Cat
- Only Gata – FloyyMenor and Cris MJ
- If you’re not – Íñigo Quinter
- Alonzo
- Abou Debeing and Losa
- libi – Sevdaliza, Pabllo Vittar & Yseult
- Winners Bigflo and Oli
- Coldplay
- Justice
- Justin Timberlake
- Taylor Swift
- Benson Boone
- Damiano David (Moonlight)
- Pierre Garnier
- Davide Guetta
- Indochina
- Louane
- Chiara Luciani
- Sevdaliza and Yseult
- Slimane
- Teddy swims
International hit:
Francophone duo:
International Duo:
Francophone group:
International group:
Best DJ:
Social Shot:
Best concert:
The NRJ Music Awards had a pretty impressive list of guest artists. In Cannes, the radio and TF1 managed to bring together David Guetta, Indochine, Gims and also Clara Luciani and Slimane. Here is the guest list:
The categories of the NRJ Music Awards
For this 26th edition of the NRJ Music Awards, artists competed in around fifteen categories. Last year, four new categories appeared, such as live, after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. The categories were as follows: francophone and international revelations; Francophone and international artist; Francophone and international male artist; international song; Francophone and international collaborations; Francophone and international group/duo; Francophone and international clip; DJs; Social shot; Cover/adaptation and visit in French.
The allegations against Slimane have cast a shadow over his recent achievements at the 2024 NRJ Music Awards, where he was honored as the Francophone male artist of the year. Despite the serious accusations against him, he took the stage to accept his award, becoming emotional and expressing gratitude to his audience and family. However, the atmosphere backstage reportedly differed significantly from the cheers he received on stage; only a few claps were heard as the weight of the situation lingered.
Others at the event, including Nicola Sirkis, used their platform to address broader issues of harassment, denouncing the troubling circumstances surrounding the industry. While Slimane’s public acknowledgment and tears seemed heartfelt, the reactions from fellow artists highlighted a deep divide regarding his presence due to the ongoing controversy.
The event reportedly attracted a sizeable audience but faced criticism for its handling of sensitive issues, prompting conversations about accountability in the music industry. As the awards recognized both established and emerging talents, discussions on necessary changes and support for victims of abuse have become increasingly vital, underscoring a need for a shift in culture within entertainment.