Mennel Ibtissem Leaves Judges Speechless With Her “Hallelujah” Blind Audition
Few songs are as beloved—or as difficult to reinterpret—as Hallelujah, originally written by Leonard Cohen.
Yet Mennel Ibtissem delivered a version that felt both intimate and completely fresh during her blind audition on The Voice France.
Just moments into her performance, one judge turned their chair—before she had even finished the opening line. Mennel’s soulful blend of gospel and R&B phrasing, paired with precise vocal control, quickly drew in the rest of the panel.
What truly set her audition apart was her decision to sing in both English and Arabic, adding a new emotional dimension to a song that has been covered countless times. By the final note, all four judges had turned their chairs, confirming what viewers could already hear: this was a standout moment.
Her audition remains one of the most talked-about performances from the show, praised for its originality, restraint, and heartfelt delivery.
