Amel Bent

French soul diva Amel Bent was one of a generation of luminaries who rocketed to overnight fame via the television amateur showcase Nouvelle Star. As a teen, she studied vocals at the Maison de Peuple Guy-Moquet, the local outpost of France's Les Maisons des Jeunes et de la Culture program. While studying psychology, Bent entered the second season of Nouvelle Star. Though eliminated prior to the championship episode, she emerged as a major fan favorite and issued her debut LP, Un Jour d'Eté, in 2004. The album proved a blockbuster, galvanized by the number one single "Ma Philosophie" and two Top Ten follow-up singles. ~ Jason Ankeny