Mennel Ibtissem’s blind audition on The Voice France in 2018 instantly won over millions of viewers. Her performance of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” stood out for its emotional depth and the unusual blend of languages. Starting in English, she transitioned into an Arabic translation, adding a spiritual softness to the song and capturing the judges’ attention right away.
All four judges turned their chairs for her, showing unanimous praise. The audience erupted in applause as Mennel chose Mika as her coach. Within hours, her audition spread rapidly across the internet. Viewers admired her voice, her calm presence, and the cultural bridge she created by merging the two languages. It seemed like a promising journey on the show was just beginning.
However, the excitement quickly shifted when her old social media posts from 2016 resurfaced. In one post written after the tragic Nice attack, she questioned the official narrative and hinted that the government might be responsible. Many found these words offensive to the victims and saw them as aligning with conspiracy theories.
Public backlash intensified, and pressure on TF1 grew to remove her from the competition. Mennel recorded a video apology, saying her comments were taken out of context and that she never intended to hurt anyone. But despite her apology, the criticism didn’t subside, and the noise surrounding the situation completely overshadowed her success on stage.
In the end, Mennel made the difficult decision to leave the show voluntarily. She explained that the atmosphere had become too heavy and that stepping away was the best choice for everyone involved. Her story remains a striking reminder of how quickly a promising moment can turn into a challenging and painful experience.
