Since her rise from Star Academy, Helena Bailly has become the voice of a generation that deeply connects with her music. As she releases her debut album, she opens up about her journey, her music, and the sudden fame that has changed her life.
“It’s all pretty overwhelming. I’ve stepped into a world I know nothing about, and sometimes it’s hard to grasp everything,” Helena confesses. Just a year ago, she was a hopeful contestant on Star Academy, and now she’s one of the fastest-rising stars in French pop. Not long ago, she was singing in the privacy of her bedroom—now, she’s breaking streaming records, releasing her first album, and selling out concerts before even dropping her debut project.
“It all felt so out of reach. That kind of success only happened to other people,” she admits.
Dressed casually in an oversized sweater, straight-leg jeans, and Adidas sneakers, the Star Academy semi-finalist has kept her down-to-earth style and signature radiant smile since leaving the château at Dammarie-les-Lys. It’s easy to see why young women in her generation adore her—she’s relatable, confident, and completely in sync with today’s culture. A former speech therapy student, Helena has quickly adapted to her new reality—and it’s paying off.
Last summer, her song Summer Body was on repeat across French radio stations, earning her a nomination for Best New Artist at the NRJ Music Awards. Now, she’s expanding her vibrant and authentic universe with her first full-length album, Hélé—a nod to her nickname. This collection of catchy pop tracks captures her life with humor, spontaneity, and a touch of melancholy. Themes like body positivity, friendship breakups, and masculinity run through the album, making it deeply relatable for her fans. “I had so many ideas, from darker moments to the most joyful ones,” she says.
At just 22, Helena doesn’t shy away from bold topics. In her song Mauvais Garçon, she opens up about a toxic relationship she endured from age 14 to 19. Released in November, the song has already surpassed 17 million streams. “That chapter lasted too long in my life to ignore it. I wish I had a song like this when I was younger. It’s an important topic, and I wanted to write it for myself and for other women who’ve been through the same thing,” she shares.
Splitting her time between Paris and her hometown in Belgium, Helena insists she’s not trying to be a spokesperson for any cause. “I don’t go out of my way to make statements. I just write about what I know. It moves me to know my music resonates with people,” she says.
Her charm, distinctive voice, and sense of humor—especially in her playful phone calls with her mother, Brigitte—have won over audiences, both during her three months on Star Academy and now on social media, where she has over 800,000 Instagram followers. With rapid fame comes the challenge of managing public perception.
“I know what it’s like to feel like you know a singer you admire. I felt that way when I met Louane for the first time,” she reflects. “But at the same time, I make sure to speak up when people cross boundaries.”
Helena is intentional about keeping her private life protected while maintaining an engaging presence online. Whether in her Instagram posts, music videos, or stage outfits, she enjoys slipping in hidden messages—small Easter eggs for her fans to discover.