Chantal Goya celebrates her jubilee: "The public is my family"

The singer will perform twice on Sunday to sold-out audiences, in front of a total of 7,000 fans, at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, her favorite venue where she has given more than 450 concerts.

You've been singing for three generations of children since 1975. How do you look back on your career?

It all happened so quickly, and I can't believe it. I was very lucky. With Jean-Jacques (Debout, her husband, editor's note), we created the children's music hall. He had the imagination I don't have. Without him, the character of Marie-Rose would never have existed. If I hadn't met Jean-Jacques, I would never have done this job.

How did you become a singer?

On May 10, 1975, Jean-Jacques Debout asked me at the last minute to replace Brigitte Bardot, who was ill and was supposed to appear on a Maritie and Gilbert Carpentier show. He wrote me the song "Adieu les jolis foulards." After the show, no one wanted to make a record out of it, and in the end, it happened. We sold a million records! Brigitte Bardot has always brought me luck. She gave me a lot of advice. One day, (the singer) Barbara told me: "People are going to make fun of you, but you're going to have to hang on. You see, all the little ones here will one day be mom and dad, they'll come back with their children, and you'll become an institution." I'm not fashionable in the media, but the best radio station is mom and dad radio.

Don't you regret not having a career in cinema?

At the time, I wanted to be a war reporter and not an artist at all! Jean-Luc Godard wanted me for "Masculin Féminin." It didn't go very well because I told him I don't kiss anyone and I don't act naked. I still made the film to the end, on my terms. He told me: "You'll never be a star!" I replied: "I don't care. I have a Vedette at home, my washing machine!"

You are often criticized and even mocked. How do you feel about this?

I don't care at all! I'm an oilcloth that everything slides off! That's my strength. I have a very strong character, like my mother had. So I'll defend myself all my life!

Do you know stage fright?

Not at all, on the contrary. Every show is a celebration, and I'm very happy. You know, the audience is my family. When I go to see someone from my family, I'm the happiest. For this anniversary tour, I'm moved. But I forbid myself from crying, otherwise everyone will cry.

What will your anniversary look like on stage in Paris and on tour?

I'll be accompanied by twelve dancers and ten children. It will be a mix of my major shows, "The Flying Shoe," "The Marvelous Planet," "The Mysterious Journey," and "The Strange Story of the Haunted Castle." Jean-Jacques wrote me two new songs, "50 Years of Love" and "Thus," which tell my life story in three minutes.

What will you say to your audience?

I don't know how to thank him for choosing me one day to give dreams, passing them on to their children and grandchildren. The show is also in the room: the children come dressed as rabbits, Puss in Boots or Bécassine and I invite them on stage. It's wonderful!

You will be celebrating your 83rd birthday on June 10th. Are you thinking about retirement?

I only know the torchlight procession! I'm not finished! I have so many ideas in my head. I've always had the drive and I'm lucky to be in good health. My 25-year-old dancers ask me how I do it because I'm the same age as their grandmother. I don't want to die on stage so as not to make the little children cry."