Published
She lied“It’s complicated to realize that we are a singer”
Finalist of “The Voice”, in 2021, Mentissa will present her first album at Voix de Fête, in Geneva, on March 21.
In two years, Mentissa, 23, went from being a talent on the Vianney team in season 10 of “The Voice” to being nominated for the Victoires de la Musique. A resounding arrival in the world of music that the young Belgian savors. She will defend her first album, “La Vingtaine”, on stage in Geneva.
You’ve come a long way in a short time.
It’s true that we run and we don’t stop. It’s impressive. At the same time, I’ve done so much stuff that I don’t realize two years have passed. I feel like “The Voice” was yesterday.
Would you say that everything is going too fast like in your song “Wait for Me”?
Yes, but I think there’s a rather generational thing that makes us like to move on quickly to something else. I realized that I’m 23, living the life I’ve always dreamed of living, and I don’t want to be rushed. I want to take my time, to enjoy, to be connected to the present moment.
What helps me is putting things on hold. I’m in pretty transparent and open communication and I tell the people I work with, “There, I’ve done a lot of stuff, I need two or three days where I don’t do anything.” It allows me to stay anchored, to tell myself “You have a crazy life” and to be grateful. It’s important for me, because I struggled to get there. I have this chance, and it is essential that I realize it.
What made you realize that you were living your dream?
There were lots of little things. My first nomination for the NRJ Music Awards, for the Victoires de la Musique. And I started my concerts not long ago. I saw faces, people looking at me, smiling at me, singing and dancing with me, who had come for me. I think that’s when I realized that I was officially a singer.
Is it complicated to understand it?
It’s very complicated, because I feel like I’m never completely there. When do we know it’s there? Is it a number of streams, a number of followers, concerts? Notoriety and popularity are not things that can be measured. My ambition is to do what I do, but to last.
Do you still have dreams?
It’s a good question. What I do know is that I have a real desire to help others, but I don’t know in what form yet. I would love to support the next generation of artists, do what Vianney did for me. If he hadn’t had this generosity, I wouldn’t be here today. This desire to leave a legacy and to help others, for me, is very important.
