PARIS — When Yseult took the stage as the final act of the Paris Olympics closing ceremony on Sunday, she had two main objectives: to use the global stage as her megaphone and to spotlight her music and modeling career, not just in France but around the world.
Performing live at the Stade de France, Yseult commanded attention, first with her powerful vocals and then with her confident strut across the stage, reminiscent of her appearances on major runways for brands like Balmain and Balenciaga. It was a significant moment for the artist, who delivered a stirring rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” a song rooted in the French classic “Comme d’habitude,” by Jacques Revaux and Claude François.
“The lyrics resonate deeply with my journey,” Yseult shared in an interview with The Associated Press from the rooftop of a luxury hotel in Paris. She explained that she chose Sinatra’s iconic 1969 ballad over the original French version because it embodies the boldness and strength she sees in herself.
"I like that this is authentically me, embracing who I am," Yseult expressed. "I'm not perfect, but I'm doing things on my own terms. Frank Sinatra's version is more fierce and empowering, while the French version feels more like a melancholy love song."
She expressed the deep pain of being publicly bullied, stating, "As a human, it's incredibly painful. As an artist, it's even more so. Having everyone hold negative opinions about you is hard to bear. It's especially challenging given the stereotypes that already exist about Black women and women with curves. It just brings more hate my way.
"Still, I'm proud of myself for standing tall and being resilient. I don't let it get to me."
Rather than retaliating on social media, she decided to address the impact on her mental health through her art. She allowed her friends to speak for her on "Mental," her 12-track album led by the single "B(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk) You Could Never." Notably, this project will feature English lyrics for the first time.
Reflecting on her previous work, Yseult said, "In my last project, I talked about my skin, my hair, my family, and my struggles—my vulnerability," referring to her 2020 EP, "Brut." "This time, it was important for me to discuss my mental health and share where I am right now."
Yseult is not only known for her powerful voice but also for her impact on the fashion world. She's a top-tier fashionista, commanding respect on major runways from Balmain to Mugler, McQueen, and Balenciaga, influencing other curvy women along the way.
She opened up about the profound pain of being publicly bullied, saying, "As a person, it's incredibly painful. As an artist, it's even more difficult. Dealing with the weight of negative opinions is tough, especially with the stereotypes that Black women and women with curves face. It just fuels more hate directed at me.
"But I'm proud of myself for standing strong and being resilient. I refuse to let it bring me down."
Instead of lashing out on social media, she chose to confront the impact on her mental health through her music. She let her friends speak on her behalf in her 12-track album "Mental," which features the lead single "B(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk) You Could Never." This project is particularly notable for including English lyrics for the first time.
Reflecting on her previous work, Yseult shared, "In my last project, I explored themes of my skin, hair, family, and struggles—my vulnerability," referencing her 2020 EP, "Brut." "With this project, it was important for me to discuss my mental health and express where I am now."
Yseult isn't just known for her powerful voice but also for her influence in the fashion industry. She's a leading fashionista, earning respect on major runways from Balmain to Mugler, McQueen, and Balenciaga, and inspiring other curvy women in the process.
