Youth — such a dreamy word. "Carpe Diem", "You Only Live Once: YOLO", and many more expressions have been inspired by this fleeting phase of life that we often wish we could keep forever... Ah, youth!

Mine was the kind that, from the outside, looked radiant. Wonderful parents — imperfect, of course — but caring and above all, deeply loving; two adorable little brothers, full of joy, real rays of sunshine, a sibling bond united by immense love; school going perfectly well; lots of friends; a life by the sea, surrounded by nature and animals, in a huge estate; and “POP”ularity… What more could you ask for, right?

And yet, the story I’m about to tell you is one of a broken heart, a lost soul, a defiled life — real rags that one day were picked up by a Divine Artist… and turned into a white, shining dress — festive garments!

BURNED UNDER THE SPOTLIGHTS

God gave me a gift: my voice. At 13, after participating in a well-known reality TV show in Madagascar, I was thrust under the spotlight. From concerts to music videos, I grew up in the showbiz world from a very young age, which caused me to grow up faster than the music itself. I was always surrounded by people much older than me, and quickly gave in to the lifestyle of that world. I thought I was happy. I loved the fame — I loved my own glory! And yet, at night, I would sometimes cry alone in my room… I thought it was normal, just a teenage phase.

During those years, I still shone at school with excellent grades, despite my parallel life as a celebrity. And it was then that I asked God for a scholarship to study abroad. What I didn’t know was that it was God Himself who had placed that prayer in my heart.

Yes, I believed in God. My parents had tried to instill Christian values in me, which I clung to. I knew God was with me. But I hadn’t understood what Christ had done on the cross, and the concept of sin was vague to me. Until one day...

IN THE FAMILY “HATRED”, I PICK THE MOTHER: “BITTERNESS”

God answered my prayer, and I arrived in France with a scholarship in hand to begin my higher education. I went from “national star” to “famous nobody,” and all the attention I had — from my parents, friends, family, best friend, and “fans” — vanished. At 10,000 km from home, I had nothing left.

So attached was I to that glory that I chose to invent a life — to fabricate a more “interesting” story to share with new friends and acquaintances, to grab their attention and stay the center of conversations. Gradually, I fell into compulsive lying. I even started to believe my own lies. I enjoyed feeding that vicious cycle, and I was actually happier in my false life. This went on for over two years…

Until one day, someone who had uncovered the web of lies I had spun confronted me. That’s when I was forced to admit that I had a problem — a problem that caused me real pain and that I needed to be set free from lying.

HEALING BEGINS WHEN WE ADMIT WE’RE SICK

Around the same time, early 2011, two Christian women (who, interestingly, share the same first name) felt compelled to pray for me. At the time, I was having recurring nightmares where I would be struggling or fighting in my sleep, and I would wake up with bruises. As these sisters prayed, I could feel chains breaking, and I found myself crying uncontrollably. For the first time, I was truly aware of the weight of my sin and my deep suffering. That marked the beginning of a fierce battle — against myself and against the work of Satan.

But in July 2011, I failed the entrance exam to the school I wanted. I was left with the option of attending a school in Le Havre, Normandy — a place I didn’t know and had no desire to go to. And yet, that’s exactly where God wanted me. I was angry at Him, yet I sought Him more than ever. I had fallen so low that the only solution left was to turn to Jesus. I needed Him — HIS mighty hand — not to change my circumstances, but to change my heart.

IN THE FAMILY “JOY”, I PICK THE SISTER: “ETERNITY” – THE ETERNAL ENCOUNTER

August 2011. Darkness. A tunnel.

I was seeking the Lord so desperately that I would attend three church services every Sunday — in different churches! Even during the week! I was thirsty, and I couldn’t stand myself anymore. I needed to be shaken to the core.

And yet, it wasn’t in a church that I met Jesus. He came to me in my room, on the night of August 6–7, 2011.

It had been a day like any other. We were shooting a music video for a gospel group I had recently joined. God showed His glory by stopping the rain just in time for the shoot. That evening, a friend took me to a youth prayer group. During the meeting, we were each asked to share something based on a given theme. Mine was “humility.”

Later that night, as we were eating together, a young woman suddenly raised her voice and spoke directly to me in front of everyone:

“I used to hate you. Yes, I hated you. Whenever your music video came on TV, I’d change the channel. I couldn’t stand your laugh or seeing you on screen. When I saw you walk through the door today, I asked the Lord, ‘Why did You bring her here?’… But I was touched by what you shared earlier, and I want to ask your forgiveness, and ask God’s forgiveness too.”

She may not know this (M…, if you’re reading this), but the Lord used that moment to bring me to Him. I heard myself in her words. Yes, I realized — I hated myself too. That’s why I had hidden behind masks and lies.

But even so, I knew SOMEONE loved me with a deep, unconditional love…

That night, the tears wouldn’t stop. Back in my room, I fell on my knees before the King of kings. I was overwhelmed by His love — a love I didn’t deserve, but that He still wanted to give me.

For the first time, I understood what Jesus did for ME on the cross — that He died for my sins and was reaching out to me… just waiting for me to take His hand.

An indescribable feeling flooded me. I began to repent of all my sins. Slowly, the Holy Spirit filled me, and I began to speak in tongues. A PEACE I had never known settled in my heart.

That night, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. That was THE encounter. He saved me. I had never felt so happy in my life! Finally, true happiness — and I could finally LOVE, I could finally LOVE MYSELF, and I could finally LOVE HIM.

That was the beginning of freedom and real LIFE…

THE BIG LEAP — The Great “YES” — So Many Big Things with Jesus…

Some time later, I had a dream in which I was immersed in water and came out purified. I began to search the Bible to understand what it meant. God had convicted me to be baptized, just as Christ was in Scripture. So I obeyed.

IN THE FAMILY “FAITH”, I PICK THE FATHER: “PERSEVERANCE”…

I could tell you so much more about what God has done in my life, and what He continues to do every single day. But the most important thing is this:

Jesus, in His infinite love, suffered on the cross so that I could rejoice in Him and be FREE — free to do good, and to do it well — today and for eternity!

I’m still growing. Far from perfect. But as Paul says:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12)

Yes, I’m running this race — and I have eternal life. I’ve found true joy — and I wanted to share it with you.

That’s my story. Jesus has another beautiful one to write — YOURS.

Just let Him into your heart.