Last week, Nayah, 1999 French representative, won a TV show entitled Un diner presque parfait (an almost perfect dinner), playing the role of a Céline Dion look-alike.

The aim of the show, which is broadcast on private channel M6, is to have 5 contenders preparing meals and receiving notes on how they taste and how they are presented. Last week’s serie was devoted to look-alike people and Nayah was Céline Dion’s.By the way, the French singer is kind of an “unofficial” Céline Dion double, as she has her own show with impersonation of the Canadian superstar.Here ’s a part of an interview with Nayah, published on toutelatele.com.

Alexandre Raveleau, of toutelatele.com, asked: "Do we have to be a great fan of someone if we want to be a double?". Nayah answered: "I don’t think so. I am more a fan of Edith Piaf, Whitney Houston or Tina Turner. First, I simply thought that Céline Dion was singing well. Then, it happened to me a bit strangely. At the end of my own concerts, people always told me I was looking like her. That’s how it built up".Alexandre Raveleau: "How did it suddenly clicked?". Nayah: "That’s a real miracle. In 1999, I had the big chance to represent France at Eurovision. That was a very nice experience in Jerusalem. I ended 6th… to last! (laughters). In spite of this, an agent came to me and suggested I go to Las Vegas. First, I thought it was a joke. Then, I signed a contract for 5 years, a very big one at that time. Shortly, I missed my family and I came back, to make my own show."

Back to Nayah’s cooking skills, the lady prepared a Canadian menu, a Canadian flag, caribou fluffies, maple leaves and she spoke with the French Canadian accent. “I hope Céline and René will be proud of what I’ve done”, she concludes. She was given a note of 6,7 out of 10. Nayah’s performance at Un diner presque parafait can be found here.

Nayah (real name Sylvie Mestre) represented France in 1999, and placed 19th. Back in 1990, she tried her luck for Switzerland, as part of the duet Sylvie & Joel, and placed second behind Egon Egemann.

Special thanks to Franck.