the revelations of Frédéric Diefenthal on his participation in “Mask Singer”

Camille Combal is an animator who has to watch his back. Especially when he turns his back on a particularly naughty girly Dalmatian, whose nose can quickly take the direction of the buttocks. Fortunately, the animal calmed down when a giant baby in a walker and an innocent mouse came to its rescue. This scene does not take place in an artificial paradise, nor during a dubious carnival, but in “Mask Singer”. This Tuesday, August 23, TF1 launched the fourth season of this entertainment during which celebrities hidden under an imposing costume must conceal their identity for as long as possible.

During this first episode, six creatures paraded in song under the eyes of Kev Adams, Chantal Ladesou, Vitaa and Jeff Panacloc, the four investigators. In addition to the dog, the rodent and the toddler, a pharaoh had to face an elephant as well as a gingerbread man. The latter, however very touching, did not manage to conquer the hearts of the public present around the set and the quartet. Eliminated, the adorable biscuit was forced to remove his mask behind which was hiding Frédéric Diefenthal. Interview with an actor who came close to feeling unwell during his performance.

Read also“Mask Singer”: who was hiding under the baby and the gingerbread man?

TV MAGAZINE. – When did you think it was a good idea to dress up as gingerbread in prime time on TF1?
Frederic DIEFENTHAL. – The childish and slightly quirky side of the show appealed to me. Singing is also everyone’s fantasy. And then, at some point, you take yourself less seriously and you end up saying to yourself, “Come on, loosen up a bit, have fun!“. It was also interesting to discover behind the scenes of this program. The machine that starts to design “Mask Singer” is very heavy. The rehearsals, the styling, the technical teams, the music: nothing is improvised. The work is enormous!

How did you prevent your relatives from finding out about this secret?
Contractually speaking, I had no right to tell them that I was one of the candidates for this season. A whole ritual accompanies this show. They hide us, and they come to pick us up at specific places. With all these exfiltrations, there is a little spy film side. I was not excpecting that at all! I thought I was Carlos Ghosn and that I was going to end up in a trunk (Laughs). When my relatives realized that I was in the gingerbread costume, it made them laugh, and they were surprised to see me in this adventure.

“I couldn’t really breathe”

Frédéric Diefenthal, candidate in “Mask Singer” on TF1.

How did you experience your performance in front of the investigators?
I’m still out of breath! The costume was very nice and very well made. I applaud the designers who made it because it’s amazing. But we had a bit of a hot summer and I probably chose one of the most airtight suits. I was surrounded by foam and I suffocated. On the first forty seconds, I was already at the end of the line! Besides, there should be an infrared camera inside the disguises to see the face we make, the gap between the smiling gingerbread man and me, inside, who am trying to die.

You even left the set at the end of the song…
I had to regain my energy, because I was suffocating. I couldn’t really breathe, I only got very little air. To move this costume, I had to move a lot and I was sweating. So, at the end of the performance, I made a small sign to ask the technical teams to let me catch my breath backstage because I was unable to answer the interviewers’ questions at that time. Some costumes, like mine, are very heavy, and you can feel unwell. And, as if by chance, I had chosen the slowest piece: That Plane For Meby Plastic Bertrand.

Read alsoNew investigators, choice of costumes…: what you need to know about season 4 of “Mask Singer”

Why did you perform this piece?
It is one of the timeless French songs that have crossed the planet far and wide. It’s one of the most popular hits around the world and I wanted something moving, talking, and with some self-mockery in the lyrics.

Were you disappointed to be eliminated on the first night?
Surprisingly no, because I didn’t feel like I was participating in “Dancing with the Stars” or “The Voice”. I did not have the spirit of competition because we are not participating in this adventure on our behalf since we are disguised. I felt like in a show. I really enjoyed the ending. I especially remember that I got married. And then, I was proud that Jeff Panacloc recognized me so quickly.

“I was very touched by the words of Jeff Panacloc”

Frédéric Diefenthal, candidate in “Mask Singer” on TF1.

He recognized you in less than two minutes. Were you surprised?
It’s always nice to be recognized by his voice. At the same time, I was disappointed to have been grilled, even if I was not surprised coming from him because he has a crazy ear. And at the same time, I understood that I had a recognizable voice. For an actor or a singer, it is rewarding and important. I was very touched by the words he used towards me, because it is the younger generation that is coming. There is a form of transfer.

You take on the role of Antoine Myriel in the soap opera Here it all starts, on TF1. What trajectory will your character take in the upcoming episodes?
We are in the middle of filming! He evolves quite a bit, especially through the relationship between him and Chef Teyssier… In this series, there is a finesse of spirit in their games, and more generally in the way the characters approach each other. Each pushes the other back to its limits, but never in a radical way. Antoine Myriel is a go-between for each student. This principal is the office of tears, but also that of happiness. It’s a hyphen. I really like this character who conveys the positive in conflicting situations. It reassures and will evolve at the start of the school year with new faces arriving.

SEE ALSO – “I wish them good luck…”: Jarry sends a message to the new investigators of “Mask Singer” on TF1