Johnny Hallyday: a “controversy” breaks out in Quelle époque, and no one expected that

A lively debate took place in Quelle ÉPeque on France 2. The subject of the discord was the singer Johnny Hallyday.

© BESTIIMAGE Johnny Hallyday: a “controversy” élate dans Quelle étime, and no one expected ça

IN BRIEF

• The debate on nationality Johnny Hallyday's erupted during the show Quelle ÉEpoque on France 2, hosted by Léa Salamé.
• The columnists discussed his Belgian origins, pointing out that his father was Belgian, but Johnny was naturalized French.
• Discover why Johnny Hallyday gave up becoming Belgian again and asserted his nationality French despite the fact there controversial.

A debate that goes far on TV…During a passage on Belgian songs, the famous music Ma Gueule by Johnny Hallyday was broadcast in What ÉTime on France 2. The sound clip quickly got people talking on Léa Salamé's set.

Indeed, the debate revolved around whether Johnny Hallyday is Belgian or not. As a reminder, Johnny Hallyday was French with a Belgian father. His father Léon Smet was born and died in Brussels.

A controversy over the nationality of Johnny Hallyday

Quickly, the columnists of What eradebated the nationality of Johnny Hallyday. “But he's not Belgian Johnny.”, “We love him a lot but anyway…”,”He was born Belgian…” For Christophe Dechavanne, “it's his father who is Belgian.” And the subject became important on the set. “You're making a controversy about Johnny.” launches a columnist.

Léa Salamé then calmed down the debate. “But no, there is no controversy over Johnny.” However, some defended that he was indeed Belgian. “But yes, he is Belgian Jean-Philippe Smet.” launches a columnist while speaking of his real first and last name. “Is he Belgian or not??” the France 2 set ended up getting impatient.

The truth about the singer's real nationality

To know the real story, we have to go back to a key moment: 2006-2007. “He was naturalized French, but he wanted to recover his Belgian nationality probably to go to Monaco. It was a time when you couldn't have dual nationality, this was refused to him. Belgium refused it to Johnny Hallyday.“ it is said. Christophe Dechavanne specified that a “Frenchman cannot go to Monaco“, tax haven for most of the rich.

Indeed, Johnny Hallyday tried to become Belgian again…before giving up. “I am French. I remain French. I have changed my mind. I have been dragged through the mud enough when I settled in Gstaad.” Johnny Hallyday had declared in an interview. “I wondered what my father had done for me after all. I had time to think… I'm fine as I am!”This request to become Belgian again had caused controversy. “I just paid 5 million euros in taxes on my tour. Let's stop saying that I don't pay taxes in France.”