Dominique Richard

**Dominique Cecilia Richard** (born 16 March 1989) is a Maronan singer, songwriter, businesswoman, television personality, model, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Marone 2009. Richard had previously been crowned Miss Lentignac 2008 and Miss Carandie 2008, becoming the sixth woman from Carandie and first short-haired woman ever to be crowned Miss Marone. Richard represented Marone at Miss Parth 2009, where she placed in the Top 20.

After completing her reign as Miss Marone, Richard began a music career, releasing several singles and a studio album *Dancefloor Fever* (2011), becoming best-known for the 2011 single "Valkyrie," which became a top ten hit in Marone. She has since also developed a career as a television presenter, serving as a panelist on *Je regarde la télé !* (2016–present) and having hosted events such as *Eureavision: Vous décidez* and Miss Parth 2019.

## Early life and education

Richard was born on 16 March 1989 in Bruc to parents Eugène (born 1960) and Máire Richard (née *Ní Ceallacháin*; born 1961). Her father is Maronan and worked as an accountant, while her mother is from Gumberland and worked as a Ditrovian language teacher at a *collège*. Richard was raised in Boudrac-le-Maré, outside of Bruc, as the second of three children; her siblings include Eléonore (born 1987) and Julien (born 1993).

Richard began her education in 1994, attending public schooling in Boudrac-le-Maré. While in primary school, Richard was a "troublemaker" due to suffering from undiagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); she received a diagnosis at age 13, after which her behavior improved. Richard graduated from primary school in 2001, and afterwards completed *collège* in 2004. She subsequently enrolled in a *lycée* in Bruc, studying a *lycée technologique* program in art and design, graduating in 2007. After completing her education, Richard began working as a barmaid at a pub in Bruc, while also working as a part-time model, musician, and DJ on the side.

## Pageantry

### Miss Carandie 2008

Richard began her pageantry career in 2008, after registering to compete in Miss Lentignac 2008. At the time, Richard was not a fan of pageantry, but was encouraged to participate after befriending Lisa Loukmana, whom had been crowned Miss Carandie 2006. The pageant was held in May 2008, with Richard going on to win the title, qualifying her for Miss Carandie 2008.

Miss Carandie was later held in October 2008, where Richard advanced into the top five and was later crowned the winner. As Miss Carandie, Richard was qualified for Miss Marone 2009.

### Miss Marone 2009

Miss Marone was held on 6 December 2008 in Sarroux. In the competition, Richard advanced from the initial pool of 30 contestants into the top twelve, and later entered the top five as well. After reaching the top five, Richard was declared the winner, being crowned by outgoing titleholder Angéline Nuvo of New Malonia, becoming the sixth woman representing Carandie and first short-haired woman ever to win the title.

As Miss Marone, Richard received tens of thousands of dollars worth of prizes and gifts on behalf of sponsors, and relocated to Delmas in order to fulfill her reign. As Miss Marone, Richard appeared as a contestant on the television series *Fort Malet*, worked as a model in various cities, and cohosted a weekly radio show on TM Radio. Richard represented Marone at Miss Parth 2009 in October 2009, and placed in the Top 20.

## Post-pageantry

### Music career

#### 2009–2010: Debut and *Dancefloor Fever*

After completing her reign as Miss Marone in December 2009, the Maronan media revealed that Richard had signed a recording contract with Global Music Marone and Indiana Records in February 2010, and had planned to pursue a music career. Her debut single "Valkyrie" was later released in August 2010. The song was categorized as dance-pop by critics and received generally positive reviews. It went on to become a top ten hit in Marone, and additionally received radio airplay across the Maronophone world.

Her follow-up single, "Je tiens à toi," was later released in November 2010. Also a dance-pop song, "Je tiens à toi" saw less success than its predecessor, only peaking at number-75 in Marone, although receiving airplay in Maronan nightclubs. Richard's debut studio album *Dancefloor Fever* was later released in December 2010, which she promoted with a performance at Miss Marone 2011. The album was a modest success, reaching the top ten in Marone.

#### 2011–present: Independent career

In April 2011, Richard revealed in an interview that she had begun work on her second studio album, and was hoping to change her musical direction. She later released the single "Tant pis !" in September 2011, which saw a stylistic shift from the music seen on *Dancefloor Fever*, instead incorporating synth-pop and indie pop rather than dance-pop. The song failed to chart in Marone and was seen as a commercial failure, leading to the shelving of her sophomore studio album by her record label.

In July 2014, Richard revealed that she had parted ways with Global Music Marone and Indiana Records, and had instead signed a recording contract with Maronan independent record label Fazionstar. She later released the single "Née parmi les fumes" in January 2015, further incorporating synth-pop and indie pop. The single was followed by the release of her debut extended play of the same name in April 2015. Richard later embarked on her first concert tour from May to November 2015, performing shows in six countries. In July 2017, Richard stated in an interview that she was taking a break from music in order to focus on other endeavors.

Richard returned to the music industry in June 2020, with the release of the single "La mère de dragons." This was followed by the release of the single "Sœur Marianne" in September 2020, cited by Muzicka X Marone as one of the 100 best songs of the year. She later released her second extended play, also called *Sœur Marianne*, in January 2021.

### Television

In 2014, Richard appeared as a red carpet host at the 2014 Juivier Awards. She later returned as a red carpet host for the 2015 and 2016 Juivier Awards. She additionally presented the Maronan jury points at the Eureavision Song Contest 2016, and later presented *Eureavision: Vous décidez 2017* in February 2017. In 2016, Richard joined *Je regarde la télé !* as a panelist. She returned to present the Maronan jury points at the Eureavision Song Contest 2017, and also returned the following year to cohost *Eureavision: Vous décidez 2018*. Richard later cohosted Miss Parth 2019, held in Dax.

In 2017, Richard was cast on *Celebrity Big Brother 20*, the twentieth season of the Maronan version of *Celebrity Big Brother*, and placed second.

### Other ventures

In June 2012, Richard launched her own personal brand *Waterborn by Dominique Richard*. The brand debuted with a personal fragrance, before releasing lotions and facial creams as well in August 2013. The brand has since become well-known for its fragrances, with annual seasonal fragrance releases each November.

In May 2015, Richard launched her own clothing line, marketed towards young women. She debuted a jewelry line in July 2016, before launching a second clothing line in February 2017. Richard launched a third clothing line in March 2019, and later launched a maternity clothing line in December 2021.

## Personal life

Richard began a relationship with Maronan musician and The Returners frontman Lucien Bouchard in 2015. They became engaged in 2019, and later married the following year. Richard and Bouchard have one child together: Leïla (born 2022). The family resides in Delmas.

Richard is fluent in Maronan and Ditrovian, and also proficient in Gumber. She is additionally a dual citizen of Marone and Gumberland, having possessed dual citizenship since birth.

## Discography

*Main article: Dominique Richard discography*
* *Dancefloor Fever* (2011)