Margaux Mann

**Margaux Henriette Mann** (born 28 November 1948) is a Maronan singer, dancer, choreographer, and former beauty pageant titleholder. Beginning her career as a dancer and choreographer, Mann began a singing career in 1983, following the release of the single "L'Abominable homme des neiges," which became a hit in the Maronan-speaking world. The single was followed by the release of the follow-up singles "Les courses" and "Personne," and her debut studio album *Margaux Mann* (1984), all of which were commercial disappointments. Following the commercial failure of the single "Aérienne" in 1986, Mann retired from her singing career and returned to dance and choreography.

Prior to beginning her music career, Mann won the Miss Châtillon-Rèches 1965 beauty pageant, and competed in Miss Marone 1966.

## Early life and education

Mann was born on 28 November 1948 in Toumont to parents Heinrich (1910–2000) and Marie-Sophie Mann (née *Guillou*; 1919–2013). Both of her parents were artistic; her father was a Lungarian professor of art history at the University of Toumount Châtillon-Rèches, and her mother was a homemaker and amateur opera singer originally from Ditrone. Mann was the second of three children; her siblings included Bertrand (1946–2017) and Lucie (born 1951).

Mann began her education in 1954, attending public schooling in Toumont. She began dancing at the age of two, and soon discovered that she wanted to become a professional dancer. While she began her dancing career in ballet, after growing to be 1.76 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in) by age 11, she was deemed too tall and switched her focus to contemporary dance. Mann graduated from primary school in 1961, and later completed *collège* in 1964. She subsequently relocated to Delmas to enroll in the École nationale de danse, further specializing in contemporary dance. Mann completed her *lycée* education at the school in 1967, and later completed a bachelor's degree in contemporary dance at the institution in 1970.

## Pageantry

Mann began her pageantry career in 1965, after registering to compete in Miss Colomois 1965 in May 1965. She ultimately went on to place as the first runner-up in the competition. Despite not winning, she was still qualified to compete in Miss Châtillon-Rèches 1965 in October 1965, where she was crowned the winner. As Miss Châtillon-Rèches, Mann was qualified to compete in Miss Marone 1966. Miss Marone was held in December 1965 in La Menelle, where Mann did not advance into the Top 7.

## Career

### Early career

Mann began her career after completing her education in 1970, working as an assistant choreographer to Émile Gilbert. While working for Gilbert, she assisted in choreographing a number of productions, both on stage and on television. Mann departed from her collaboration with Gilbert in 1978, and began working as a lead choreographer independently. As a lead choreographer, Mann choreographed the 1979 musical film *Star High School* and appeared in the film as a featured dancer, and additionally was credited as lead choreographer and a featured dancer for nine episodes of *The Léa Hammel Show* in 1979 and 1980.

Mann began working in the music industry in 1980, as the lead choreographer and backup dancer for Maronan musician Catherine Fleuvé, appearing with her on tour and choreographing both live performances and music videos for Fleuvé. While working with Fleuvé, Mann became interested in pursuing a music career of her own, and was encouraged by Fleuvé to pursue it.

### 1983–1985: Breakthrough and *Margaux Mann*

Mann signed a recording contract with Maronan record label Le Chat Noir Records in 1982, through the assistance of Catherine Fleuvé. Her debut single "L'Abominable homme des neiges" was later released in March 1983. An upbeat new wave and dance-pop song, the single was released alongside a music video entirely choreographed by Mann, featuring its recognizable dance number. "L'Abominable homme des neiges" became a smash hit throughout the Maronophone world, peaking at number-one in both Marone and Belgrum. The success of the song was particularly credited towards its music video, and its catchy and easily replicable dance choreographed by Mann.

Following the success of "L'Abominable homme des neiges," Mann released the follow-up single "Les courses" in October 1983. The song was in a similar new wave and dance-pop style, but was considered a novelty song with lyrics about going shopping. Much like its predecessor, the single was released alongside a music video choreographed by Mann. However, the song was a commercial disappointment, peaking at number-74 in Marone. She later released her debut studio album *Margaux Mann* in January 1984, which charted at number-12 in Marone. The album was promoted with the Margaux Mann Tour, which performed shows in Marone and Maronan-speaking Eurea between January and June 1984. Mann's final single "Personne" was later released in May 1984, the final single off of her debut studio album. The song was a departure from her previous music style, being a pop rock and power pop ballad which lacked a dance routine. The song was also a commercial disappointment, peaking at number-63 in Marone.

Mann later released the follow-up single "Aérienne" in June 1986, which failed to chart anywhere.

### 1986–present: Return to dance and choreography

Following the commercial disappointment of "Aérienne", Mann left her music career in order to return to dance and choreography, founding her own dance studio through which she began choreographing various shows and events.

In 1988, Mann began focusing her choreography on music videos, and worked as a choreographer on music videos for a variety of artists, including Angéline, Catherine Fleuvé, Bobby Brun, Laëtizia Carré, Lucie-Alizée, Thérèsine, Jacqueline Lunet, and Lionel Stassi. Mann began to pause her career as a music video choreographer in the 2010s, and has not worked since 2016, despite denying that she has retired.

## Personal life

Mann never married and has no children. From 1982 to 1986, she was in a relationship with Maronan musician Louis Pauliac, until Pauliac's death. In 1987, Mann began identifying as a Tiru, having converted from Eurean Catholicism.

## Discography

### Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
* Label: Le Chat Noir

### Singles

 "Personne"
 "Aérienne"

## Awards and nominations

*Main article: Awards and nominations received by Margaux Mann*