Nicky Doll, Queen of France (Televisions)? The question mark is probably superfluous because, this summer, it will be difficult to miss the drag queen on our small screens. She will co-host this Saturday, from 9:10 p.m., “La grande soiree des cabarets”, alongside Stéphane Bern on France 2. From June 30, she will resume her role as presenter for the second season of “Drag Race France”, put online on France.tv Slash and broadcast on France 2. Then, in August, she will travel the world in “Les Voyages de Nicky”. Each 52-minute episode of this France 5 documentary series will be an opportunity to address issues of gender and art in the country of destination (India, Mexico, etc.).
A year ago, the notoriety of the artist, who is called Karl Sanchez in the civil status and gender in the masculine when he is not in drag, was still confidential. She was especially a star for fans of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, the original American concept of which “Drag Race France” is an adaptation, since its participation in season 12 in 2020.
“Generosity” and “authenticity”
Over the months, she has become one of the most famous French drag queens. The public was able to witness its transformation. Relatively shy and withdrawn in the first episodes of “Drag Race France”, she ended up flourishing until she appeared perfectly at ease in this presentation exercise. A role of mistress of ceremonies that she successfully took over during the “live” tour which took the drag-queens candidates from season 1 to the stages of the whole of France.
Participants she took under her wing and with whom she forged strong ties. Already during the filming of episode 6 of “Drag Race France”, Paloma, the future winner, spoke to thank and pay tribute to Nicky Doll: “You lived what we [vit] and you make the experience so easy, so light… We feel in an atmosphere of benevolence and that’s great. »
” Empathy “
During the press conference for season 2, at the beginning of June, Alexandra Redde-Amiel, the director of entertainment and games for France Télévisions, praised her “generosity” and her “authenticity”. Words echoing those of Laurence Hamelin, program advisor in the “sciences and discovery” division of the public broadcaster, who worked on Nicky’s travels. “We based ourselves on authenticity, involvement. We didn’t go looking for a drag queen to address [telle ou telle cible]. This project was led by Karl. When we met him, we all said to ourselves “Wow, we have the person who will be able to open up these horizons for us!” “, she remembers.
“In” Les Voyages de Nicky “, there is both emotion, show and Nicky’s personality that stand out, as well as the empathy she has towards the people she meets”, supported Xavier Grimault, deputy director of the “sciences and discoveries” division.
For Karl Sanchez, who has known many latitudes and longitudes since he was born in Marseille, has lived in Morocco, in Saint-Martin, and now shares his life between France and the United States, this growing recognition has undoubtedly a taste of revenge.
” Welcome to my home ! »
“I was harassed and bullied a lot when I was younger because people thought I was too effeminate,” he told 20 minutes two years ago. He explained that he created the character of Nicky Doll in 2009, while participating in his first LGBTQ + Pride March in Paris. “I simply decided to ‘transform’ into a woman because I needed to feel a new form of pride. It was like giving the middle finger [à mes détracteurs], telling them: “Not only am I effeminate, but I’m also a drag queen”, he confided to us. It was a way to give me strength, power, and I saw that it was fun. So I decided to continue after this March, to work on performances. »
On Saturday, in France 2’s prime time entertainment, Stéphane Bern will present Nicky Doll as “one of the icons of the cabaret world”. She will say her “pleasure” to be at the side of the host and will add: “I intend to guide you through this world of rhinestones, sequins, glamour. It’s just my world and I’m very proud of it, so welcome home! “On France Télévisions too, Nicky Doll is at home.