Lise Darly

Early Career and Breakthrough

Lise Darly, born on December 27, 1981, in Nice, France, is a French singer best known for representing Monaco in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005. She began singing as a young teen and entered her first major competition at age 17. In 1999, Lise won the Graine de Star Tour contest, outperforming over 100 other contestants. This victory put her in the spotlight and kick-started her professional music journey. In 2001, she decided to pursue singing full-time. She joined a musical group and performed as a backing vocalist for well-known artists Dave and Jeane Manson for about a year. The following year, Lise became the lead singer for the Grand Orchestra of Baie des Anges, gaining experience by singing at various shows, conferences, and parties across France and Europe. These early performances helped her develop her stage presence and vocal skills, building a solid foundation for her future career.

Eurovision Journey in 2005

Lise Darly’s big break on the international stage came with the Eurovision Song Contest. In late 2003, Monaco held a casting competition to find a representative for Eurovision. Lise entered this selection process and finished in second place, narrowly missing the chance to go in 2004. However, her strong showing kept her on Monaco’s radar.

The following year, Monaco selected Lise Darly to represent the country at Eurovision 2005 in Kyiv, Ukraine. She was 23 years old at the time and performed the French-language song “Tout de moi” (meaning “All of Me”), composed by Philippe Bosco. The song was a love ballad with a symphonic arrangement, even recorded with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Monaco to give it an orchestral sound.

Despite her efforts, Monaco did not advance to the final. Lise finished 24th in the semifinal (second to last) and thus did not qualify for the grand final. Nevertheless, her performance was recognized in another way. She received the Marcel Bezençon Press Award – a special honor voted by the press for their favorite entry – which showed that journalists appreciated her song. “Tout de moi” was released as a single after the contest.

Post-Eurovision Music Career

After Eurovision, Lise Darly continued to build her musical career. From late 2005 to 2007, she toured internationally as a vocalist with a group called Goldsingers, performing at events around the world. By the end of 2007, she joined another musical ensemble known as The Angel’s, under the Gala Organization, further honing her live performance skills. During this period, Lise was actively songwriting and recording her own music. In 2008, she released a double single featuring the songs “Quand nos cœurs s’attachent” and “À des années de toi,” which marked her debut as a recording artist.

The following year, she put out her first full-length album titled Si j’avais su (French for “If I Had Known”). This 2008/2009 album was a collaborative effort with songwriters Markus Wagner, Steven Stewart, and Rick Allison, and showcased Lise’s pop vocal style and personal songwriting. Releasing Si j’avais su on digital platforms like iTunes and Amazon helped Lise reach a broader audience.

Throughout these years, Lise remained a busy live performer. She frequently sang at concerts, festivals, and luxury events, both in Monaco and internationally. Her versatility allowed her to cover genres from pop to jazz during live shows.

Television Appearances and Later Projects

In 2012, Lise Darly returned to the spotlight through television. She auditioned for the first season of The Voice: la plus belle voix (the French edition of The Voice) and wowed the coaches with her powerful vocals. During her blind audition, she performed Lady Gaga’s “The Edge of Glory,” turning multiple judges’ chairs. Lise chose Florent Pagny as her coach and advanced through the competition. She won her battle round and reached the live “prime” shows, ultimately finishing among the top 16 contestants in the country. This achievement on a popular TV talent show introduced Lise to a new generation of viewers and rejuvenated her public profile.

Following her stint on The Voice, Lise explored opportunities in acting. In 2013, she made her debut as an actress with a guest role in the TV crime drama Profilage (aired on TF1, also known internationally as Profiling). She appeared in the season 4 premiere episode, portraying a jazz singer – a fitting role that combined her musical talent with acting. This marked a new dimension to her career, showing her versatility as a performer. Around the same time, Lise was also working on new music. She expressed eagerness to record a second album as a follow-up to Si j’avais su.

2014-2024

In subsequent years, Lise Darly continued to release music and participate in special projects. In 2014, she joined a group of 16 French artists in recording a charity single called “Je suis cet autre”, a song penned by singer Julie Zenatti to support the visually impaired through the Valentin Haüy Association. Lise’s involvement in this project reflected her willingness to use her voice for social causes.

More recently, in the late 2010s and early 2020s, Lise has put out independent singles. In 2020, she released a positive, uplifting song titled “Miracle,” which carries a message of love and optimism. She also collaborated with fellow Voice alum Jhony Maalouf on a duet called “Focused (Ne les laisse pas)” about bullying. Notably, they submitted “Focused” to the French selection for Eurovision 2021 (Eurovision France, c’est vous qui décidez!), hoping to represent France, though the song was ultimately not chosen for the final lineup.

Today, Lise Darly remains an active performer and artist. She often sings at high-profile events, weddings, and concerts, and she shares music content with fans online. Her career so far spans over two decades, highlighting her adaptability and passion for music.