Grégory Lemarchal

French singer Grégory Lemarchal became the first male winner of the popular television show Star Academy (think American Idol), despite having been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at a young age. He released his debut album, Je Deviens Moi, in 2005 and the live Olympia '06 in 2006. Lemarchal wom a clutch of accolades such as the NRJ Music Awards Breakthrough Arist of the year and his debut album went platinum in France. Sadly, Lemarchal passed away on April 30, 2007, just weeks before his 24th birthday. A few months after his death, La Voix d’un Ange was released. The posthumous album contained various songs that had previously been unreleased, including the single “De Temps en Temps” alongside several cover versions from his Star Academy performances. Profits from the record -- which sold over a million copies across Europe -- were donated to the Association Grégory Lemarchal, the charity set up in Lemarchal's name to help those suffering with cystic fibrosis. In November 2009 the compilation album Rêves was released. The collection included all of his singles, two previously unreleased songs and various covers of material by artists such as Céline Dion and Daniel Balavoine. ~ James Christopher Monger & Scott Kerr, Rovi