Nicky Doll, Queen of France (Television)? The question mark is probably overkill because, this summer, it’s going to be hard to miss drag queens on our small screens. She will be co-hosting this Saturday, starting at 9:10 p.m., “Amazing cabaret night”, with Stephen Bern on France 2. Starting June 30, she will resume her presenter role for the second season “French Drag Race”posted on France.tv Slash and broadcast on France 2. Then, in August, he will travel the world on “Les Voyages de Nicky”. Each 52-minute episode of this docuseries from France 5 will be an opportunity to discuss gender and art issues in the destination country (India, Mexico, etc.).

A year ago, the fame of the artist Karl Sanchez referred to in his civil status and masculine gender when he was not in that state of drag was still a secret. He is mostly a star to fans RuPaul’s Drag Raceoriginal American concept adaptation of “Drag Race France”, since its participation in season 12 in 2020.

“Generity” and “authenticity”

Over the months, she has become one of France’s most famous transvestites. The public can witness the transformation. Relatively shy and reserved in the first episode “Drag Race France”, he eventually develops until he appears very comfortable in this presentation exercise. The role of madam of ceremony she successfully assumed during the “live” tour that brought would-be drag-queens from season 1 to stages across France.

Participants he takes under his wing and with whom he forges a strong bond. Already during the filming of episode 6 of “Drag Race France”, Paloma, a potential winner, spoke to thank and pay tribute to Nicky Doll: “You live what we do [vit] and you made the experience so easy, so light… We felt an air of benevolence and it was great. »

“Empathy”

During a press conference for season 2, in early June, Alexandra Redde-Amiel, director of entertainment and games for France Télévisions, praised her “generosity” and “authenticity”. Words echo those of Laurence Hamelin, program adviser in the “science and discovery” division of the public broadcaster, who works at Nicky’s trip. “We base ourselves on authenticity, engagement. We don’t go looking for waria to address [telle ou telle cible]. This project is led by Karl. When we met him, we all said to ourselves, “Wow, we have a person who can open up these horizons for us!” “, he remembered.

“In “Les Voyages de Nicky”, there is Nicky’s emotion, performance and personality that stands out, as well as the empathy he has for the people he meets”, supports Xavier Grimault, deputy director of the “science and discovery” 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 is no doubt a sense of revenge. .

” Welcome to my house ! »

“I was often abused and bullied when I was young because people thought I was too effeminate,” he narrated 20 minutes two years ago. He explained that he created the character Nicky Doll in 2009, while participating in his first LGBTQ + Pride March in Paris. “I only decided to ‘transform’ into a woman because I needed to feel a new sense of pride. That’s like giving the middle finger [à mes détracteurs], telling them: “Not only am I a transvestite, but I’m also a waria”, she told us. It’s a way to give me strength, power, and I see that it’s fun. So I decided to continue beyond this March, to work on the show. »

On Saturday, at prime time entertainment France 2, Stéphane Bern will present Nicky Doll as “one of the icons of the cabaret world”. She will say it’s her “pleasure” to be by the host’s side and will add: “I intend to guide you through this world of rhinestone, sequin, glamor. It’s just my world and I’m so proud of it, so welcome home! “On France Télévisions too, Nicky Doll is in the house.

Fabien Randanne, with Clio Weickert