[1][2] Higelin's entertainment career began at age 14, when he left school to work as a stunt double.

By the early 1960s, Higelin was attending the René Simon drama school, where he won the François Perier award.

Higelin began attracting popular attention through his live concerts, typically held in smaller venues, and released his first solo album in 1971.

By the middle of the 1970s, Higelin had become one of France's most successful pop musicians, and he remains influential to this day.

Iggy Pop became infatuated with Nguyen, who rejected him, but the incident inspired the song China Girl, which later became a hit when re-recorded by David Bowie.