Ysa Ferrer: 'Saint Petersburg is a very romantic city!'

May 26 2014

by Jordan Grevet

The singer will perform in Lille and Lyon before returning to the Parisian Alhambra during the gay pride celebrations - no coincidence, according to the singer, who is very committed to the LGBT community.

On the occasion of her imminent tour, while her fourth album, "Ultra Ferrer," is still in stores, Ysa Ferrer, nicknamed the French Kylie Minogue, granted us an interview. Ysa Ferrer talks about her latest album, show, and commitment to the gay community. She also tells us about her favorite destinations and gives us her best addresses!

"To be ultra is to be who you are to the end."

Jordan Grevet: Your new album is called "Ultra Ferrer." What does it mean to you to be ultra?
Ysa Ferrer: Being ultra means going all the way with what you want to do without putting up any barriers. I wrote a song about this on my last album, "Sens interdit." I didn't want to limit myself to a particular style or musical color. I wanted to do everything I wanted to do. That's what being ultra is all about, taking yourself as you are to the very end.

JG: What did you set out to do with this new opus, and how is it different from the others?
YF: I don't think it's different. I think it's a continuation of "Imaginaire pur". Now, there's this "ultra" side, where I didn't want to restrict myself. I'm going for something more pop-techno, but there's also dance-pop, pop-rock, and ballads. When I build an album, I like it to tell a little story and take the listener on a musical journey with an introduction, then I wander through several styles and finish with a conclusion.

JG: Is it fair to say there's been an evolution compared to your previous albums?
YF: Yes, I hope so. First, there's been a musical evolution - we're constantly improving, and that's normal with time. We're maturing, as are the subjects and the harmonious color. I hope I've enriched myself and will continue with each new composition and album release.

JG: You collaborated on the track "French Kiss" with Chew Fu, who has worked with the likes of Lady GaGa and Rihanna. Is this a way for you to go in the same musical direction as these singers?
YF: Not necessarily. It's more a question of trying to reach something that, for the moment, we don't know how to do well in France, and even I personally. With Daniel Castano, the songwriter who works with me, we wanted to give the album a natural dance feel. So, while we were at it, we thought we should go all out, so we went to see someone who was really into dance.

"My show? A real American show!"

JG: Generally speaking, what are your influences?
YF: I listen to everything; I have very eclectic tastes. I can't say any particular artist influences me. I like Kylie Minogue. People often compare me to her, saying I'm the French Kylie Minogue. To me, that's a huge compliment! I also really like Madonna. These singers, I feel pretty close to them musically.

JG: You collaborated with the famous American blogger Perez Hilton, who appears in the clip for "Hands Up." That's pretty amazing! How did that come about?
YF: Perez liked my song "On fait l'amour." He contacted me on Twitter. I've got a pretty friendly relationship with him. When I asked him to appear in the video for "Hands Up," he didn't hesitate for a second! It's a funny thing. I love people like him who don't take things too far. You make them an offer, and they fall for it and go for it!

JG: This is your first tour of France, starting in June (Lille on June 4, Lyon on June 7 and Paris on June 25). What will the concerts consist of?
YF: I wanted to do a real American-style show. It's a succession of tableaux with costumes, lighting, and choreography. I have four sublime dancers on stage, plus musicians. It's not just a concert where I sit behind a microphone. It's a natural, American-style show, but with our means (laughs)! It's a little girl's dream for me to one day perform on a stage like this, with such a stage set-up. I'm going all the way with what I wanted to do.

JG: You first came to prominence in the Seconde B series on France 2 and went on to appear in several films at the start of your career. Do you plan to return to acting one day?
YF: I'd love to. When I stopped Seconde B, I stopped acting simultaneously because I was always offered the same roles. I had a character, always the same one, and we only changed his first name. It was very compartmentalized. I had the image of the service girl. At first, she was more of a prostitute; then, she studied to become a lawyer or a journalist. It was very simplistic.

JG: And if you were offered a project you liked, would you say yes?
YF: Absolutely, I'd go for it! I miss it. For me, acting is a second profession, even if it has nothing to do with singing. It's fun to get into another character's skin, and I love it.

"Young people committing suicide because they're gay shouldn't exist."

JG: You shot a video for the American "It Gets Better" campaign, which aims to give courage to abused gay young people who want to commit suicide. Why did you take part?
YF: Perez (Hilton) asked me to do it, and I thought it was a good idea. It's a cause that touches me. Young people who commit suicide just because they're gay, I don't think that should exist today. How can other young people be so intolerant? Especially as a mother, I wanted to speak out.

JG: Do you have other ways of getting involved with the LGBT community? You're a viral singer in the community...
YF: I'm doing my Paris concert on gay pride day (June 25, editor's note). It's no coincidence! We march during the day, go to a concert in the evening, and then go clubbing, which can be fun! Last year, I also spoke at the end of the Pride March. I gave a speech in which I shared my feelings. I'd just arrived from Russia, where gay pride is impossible. I also have the opportunity to speak on behalf of the association Le Refuge, which helps children whose families have broken up because of their homosexuality.

"Saint Petersburg is a very romantic city!"

JG: Let's move on to our questionnaire on your travel habits and favorite destinations... First question: what are your favorite places to go out in Paris?
YS: Le Loir dans la Théière, in the Marais, because it has delicious hot chocolates and cakes! I also really like the Italian ice cream shop Amorino. I have 14 flavors, and I love it!

JG: Do you have a favorite club in Paris?
YS: I don't go out too much but I love going to Follivores and Crazyvores. I'm having the time of my life! I'll be singing at Follivores in October. Otherwise, I go to Queen from time to time.

JG: What's your favorite city?
YF: I love Los Angeles. My brother lives there, so I go there regularly. The broad avenues, the climate, the happy side, the too much side, the "there's a film set around every corner" side... Very Hollywood! I can't live there, but I haven't tired of Los Angeles yet. Another city I adore is Tokyo. I had a total crush on the city when I went there. I was taking Japanese and wanted to go there to immerse myself in the country, and I wasn't disappointed! I want to go back.

JG: What do you think is the best city for partying?
YF: I think Paris is pretty good. I've heard Barcelona recommended a lot, but I don't know it.

JG: In which city do you find the most cute guys?
YF: Los Angeles is pretty good, even if it can be overrated (laughs)! In any case, it's not in Russia because I go there a lot and there are some beautiful girls, but then the guys... It's not great! I like Latin people, so I'd find some cute guys in Spain, Italy, etc.

JG: What is the ideal city to fall in love with?
YF: A city in Italy... Florence or the top of Mount Etna in Sicily, something a bit fun! Above all, the romance that counts—or St. Petersburg during the All-Nighter. The city has a unique atmosphere at that time, and I find it very romantic.

JG: Which is the most gay-friendly city in the world?
YF: San Francisco, where there's a big gay district. I liked it. But there are certainly plenty of others!

"I'm very gri-gri!"

JG: What object do you always take with you when you travel?
YF: A Japanese lucky charm. My Japanese teacher gave me a tiny cloth envelope with a message inside, but you mustn't read it, or it won't work (laughs)! I'm very gri-gri!

JG: Do you prefer the aisle or the window when you fly?
YF: Window, simply because I sleep better there. I hate it when people bother me (laughs)! I can sit there and look out.

JG: Your number-one travel tip?
YF: Let yourself be tempted by whims and go on adventures rather than on organized trips where everything is overrated. I like to discover a city without knowing anything about it. I get on the plane and manage once I'm there. There's a bit of an adventurous side to it that I like.

JG: When and where is your next trip?
YF: I'm off to Moscow at the end of the month to do a concert. I'll be there for 2-3 days.

JG: What's your dream destination?
YF: I've never been to Polynesia and love to. I've traveled a lot but don't know that part of the world, and I think I'd like it. It would be relaxation, relaxation, and relaxation!

As a bonus, check out the video clip for "French Kiss," the first single from the "Ultra Ferrer" album, and the video clip for "Hands Up" featuring Perez Hilton: