Kylian Mbappé, Lara Fabian and Philippe Lacheau made surprise appearances as the 2026 season of the French reality singing competition "The Voice Kids" premiered on Saturday, Aug. 22.
The young contestants were treated to video messages, a live video call and an in-person visit from the celebrities during the blind auditions broadcast on the TF1 network.
Mbappé backs Matt Pokora
Coach Matt Pokora used a video message from the captain of the French national football team to try and win over an 11-year-old contestant named Jude, who is from the Île-de-France region. Jude had impressed the panel with a rendition of Slimane's "Dis-moi que tu m'aimes".
Pokora told the young singer he had called a friend, before Mbappé appeared on the screen.
The footballer told Jude that Pokora knows how to get the best out of his talents and has led many to victory. Mbappé called Pokora a winner and a great choice, adding that the coach is sometimes a very bad loser.
Pokora noted that there was no one more powerful to call upon than Mbappé at the moment, but the strategy failed to work, and Jude opted to join the team of fellow coach Patrick Fiori.
Lara Fabian watches live
Lara Fabian, a former coach on the show who won the competition with a singer named Tim two years ago, watched 13-year-old Noam's audition via a live video link.
Noam, a middle schooler from Castelnau-de-Montmiral in the Tarn department of southern France who has been singing since he was three, performed Fabian's song "Ta peine". The teenager said she was like a sister to him, even though they had never met, and praised her songwriting.
Host Nikos Aliagas called Fabian on video after being tipped off by Noam's parents, allowing her to watch the performance live. All four coaches, Santa, Pokora, Soprano and Fiori, turned their chairs.
Fabian told the teenager his performance was absolutely magnificent and splendid, adding that he should be very proud of himself. However, she refused to tell him which team to join, advising him to go where his heart told him to go. He chose Santa.
Philippe Lacheau on set
Fiori deployed his own celebrity connection to secure 10-year-old Mina from Switzerland, who gave a theatrical performance of "Fabuleuse, Baby!" from the musical "Sister Act".
Actor and director Philippe Lacheau initially appeared on screen to praise the Corsican singer and coach, before walking onto the set to stand behind the surprised young contestant.
Mina's mother remarked that her daughter was living her dream on a grand scale.
Lacheau, who works alongside the four coaches in the Les Enfoirés charity ensemble, joked that his friends, whom he loves very much, all lip-sync except for Fiori.
The surprise worked for Fiori, and Mina chose to join his team.
The episodes are available on the TF1+ streaming service.
