“I don’t recognize myself in the last few seasons”
INTERVIEW – In 2001, the Pas-de-Calais town hall employee with a very assertive character had completed the fifth edition of the first edition of the game broadcast on TF1.
As part of the 20th anniversary of “Koh-Lanta”, we found the participants of the very first season toured in Thailand in 2001. After Marie Besnier, Jean-Luc Fiorina and Sandra Acabado, Françoise Avignon looks back on her participation. At 41, this town hall employee had spent 40 days in the adventure. She had been the first ambassador in the history of “Koh-Lanta” against William, had won an individual comfort test (archery) and left the game during the final council.
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LE FIGARO. – Why did you register for “Koh-Lanta” in 2001?
Françoise AVIGNON. – I registered on their site without really believing it. In my application, I had not even sent any photos or video as requested. But several months later, the first contact had been established when I had completely forgotten this registration! I corresponded to the desired age group, forty …
What memories do you keep of your participation?
It was the very first “Koh-Lanta” so we had no benchmarks. I wanted to live an adventure on an island far from my daily life. After this experience, I knew I was capable of surpassing myself and I gained a little of the confidence that I was lacking. I have met beautiful people who are still in my life.
What personal item do you bring bound to Thailand?
I had taken a picture of my two daughters. But it had been destroyed from day one when we jumped from the junk to the raft. We had caved in …
What have you been up to since 2001?
For 20 years, I have always worked at the town hall of Arras. After 17 years in the social sector, I am now a cultural mediator at the Arras Museum of Fine Arts and I am about to retire in a few days. I will try to continue traveling and, having time, I will register for castings to move my life a little.
What do you think of the evolution of the program?
I would not see myself registering today, I do not recognize myself in the last seasons when we prepare physically and where we establish strategy as a value. For me, it has become people and too formatted.
