Following her victory on the 2022 season of the French singing competition Star Academy, Anisha Jo deliberately stepped back from the public eye, a move that sparked curiosity among fans. In a new interview with Télé Star, the singer details the reasons behind her decision, explaining it wasn’t a desire for privacy but a necessary pause for self-reflection and creative re-evaluation after a whirlwind two years. Jo is now preparing for a musical return in 2026, having reconnected with her artistic roots.
Anisha discussed moments of doubt and self-questioning that led her to step back: “I had periods of doubt, and fear too… I often questioned my legitimacy. There was criticism, and it sometimes made me doubt myself. It was a questioning that concerned both the music and my personal life,” she shared. She also explained that winning brought additional pressure: “Winning also means facing expectations, comparisons.”
Anisha Jo Explains Why She Stepped Away
In an exclusive interview with Télé Star, the winner of Star Academy 2022 detailed the reasons for her retreat from the spotlight after her victory. She emphasized that it wasn’t a matter of “discretion” but a genuine need to take a step back.
“When you leave the show, things move very, very quickly. And there isn’t necessarily time to really pause and reflect: ‘Okay, what’s next?’” she confided. For Anisha Jo, this pause was essential to “prepare for what’s next,” “recharge internally,” and fully appreciate what she had experienced during two intense years of music. The reality competition show format often launches contestants into a whirlwind of activity, making a deliberate pause all the more significant.
A Return to Roots to Rediscover Her Art
The singer then recounted how this return to basics led her to reconnect with her roots and rediscover her artistic compass. “I needed to take that step back…it was important for me to return to the essential, to return to my origins, to my land,” she explained, adding that Madagascar helped her remember “why I do everything I do today.”
She discovered her voice in that country, she says: “When you forget why you do what you do, you have to go back to where it all began.” Anisha also shared a connection with fellow Star Academy contestant Enola, assuring that her passion never faded: “Today I’m coming back… but it was already planned that I would return in 2026 to make music… it’s always there with me, even if you don’t see me all the time, the music is always with me.”
