Carla Bruni resumes her music career as Sarkozy bows out
Will former French first lady steal the limelight from her replacement Valerie Trierweiler?
NOW THAT she has been relieved of the burden of being France’s first lady, Carla Bruni is set to make a return to music and is planning a series of concerts and a new album to be released this autumn.
Although she has rarely been out of the spotlight in the last four years, the former supermodel put her pop career on hold after her whirlwind romance with Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008 and last year gave birth to a daughter Giulia, who is now seven months old.
Now, it seems, she is planning a comeback. "Carla did not put her career on hold during the five-year term of Nicolas Sarkozy. She continued to compose at her own pace," her spokesman Veronique Rampazzo has revealed. She told Le Parisien that while Bruni had not performed or recorded for "practical reasons" since 2008, she was now planning a series of shows and a new album.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Bruni will hope that her new record, which should be out in time for Christmas, recaptures the popularity of her debut, Quelqu'un m'a dit (Somebody Told Me), in 2004, which sold 2 million copies and won awards. Her subsequent efforts, 'No Promises' and 'Comme si de rien n'était' (As If Nothing Had Happened), were less well received.
She will also have to fight for attention with the new first lady, Valerie Trierweiler, who has vowed to carry on working as a journalist even though her "companion", Francois Hollande, has ousted Sarkozy. It will be interesting to see which of the two women exerts more of a fascination on the French public.
The decision to resume her musical career might have been prompted by other concerns, suggests The Daily Telegraph, such as the breadwinning powers of her husband. "Sarkozy is facing an uncertain future," says the paper. "His poor English means he is unlikely to be able to make money on the lucrative US lecture circuit, and he has ruled out any return to politics."
The Daily Mail hints that the former president may even decide to become a house husband. "Sarkozy is unlikely to return to his first career as a lawyer, either, but thanks to his Italian-born wife’s £20 million-plus personal fortune he does not need to work again," the paper says. "What it certain is that he will have a lot more time to spend with the couple's seven month old baby daughter, Giulia."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Quiz of The Week: 16 - 22 November
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Firing shells, burning ballots, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Damian Barr shares his favourite books
The Week Recommends The writer and broadcaster picks works by Alice Walker, Elif Shafak and others
By The Week UK Published
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
Bordeaux destination guide: a world capital of wine
The Week Recommends This charming French city is full of history, architecture and stunning dining experiences
By Jaymi McCann Last updated
-
Tartiflette recipe
The Week Recommends This cheesy dish is perfectly warming in the winter
By The Week UK Published
-
Inside Chopard's hotel on Place Vendôme
The Blend Swiss jewellery maison Chopard unveils its new jewel, an ultra-exclusive Parisian hotel that elevates the art of hospitality
By Felix Bischof Published
-
Martin Blake's cod with mussel and chorizo broth
Recipe Succulent cod is paired with a rich, briny broth in this sumptuous bowlful
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
7 magnificent hotels to visit before the summer crowds descend
The Week Recommends Have beach time in the Dominican Republic or a spa day in Saint-Tropez
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Loire Valley Lodges review: sleep, feast and revive in treetop luxury
The Week Recommends Forest hideaway offers chance to relax and reset in Michelin key-winning comfort
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Four Seasons Megève: a 'secluded' mountain retreat with plenty to explore
The Week Recommends There is ample opportunity to hike, eat, play and relax at this Alpine resort
By Natasha Langan Published