Kendji Girac: The Voice France star seriously hurt after shooting

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4/22/2024
Kendji Girac: The Voice France star seriously hurt after shooting cover image

A winner of the French series of The Voice is in serious condition after being shot in the chest.

Authorities say Kendji Girac's life is no longer considered in danger.

Police

were called at about 05:30 local time (04:30 GMT) to a traveller site

in Biscarrosse, around 50km (31 miles) from Bordeaux.

French media reported that in initial talks with investigators, he linked the incident to his own mishandling of the firearm.

He was transported to a hospital in Bordeaux following the shooting.

A source close to the investigation told the AFP press agency that police had not ruled anything out in their investigation.

Kendji Girac is the stage name of Kendji Maille, 27, who grew up in the Catalan Gypsy community.

He

had been in Biscarosse for several days. The shooting took place near

the reception area of a traveller community camp, AFPnews agency

reported.

Kendji

Girac first rose to fame in 2013, after covering a song by

Congolese-French rapper Gims. The following year, he won The Voice

France. He has released five studio albums, most recently L'École de la

Vie (The School of Life) in 2022.

His hits Color Gitano and Andalouse have hundreds of millions of views on YouTube.

Around

half a million people make up the Gypsy community in France. Many live

in the south-west of the country, where Mr Girac was brought up. Like

many French Gypsies, Mr Girac has Spanish roots and several of his songs

are in Spanish.

But

Mr Girac's popularity extends well beyond his own community. With his

good looks, modern Gypsy and rumba pop music and clean-cut image he has

become a "poster boy" for the French Gypsy community.

Reacting

to the news, French TV host Cyril Hanouna said: "We are all shocked. We

love him, he's a great guy, incredibly kind, always smiling, always

ready to help."

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