Soan left home at 17 over family discords and traveled a lot as a singer to earn his living but without notable success.

His first showing on the broadcast series was while doing a trio interpretation of BB Brunes's Dis-moi with two other candidates after which went to the lives rounds.

On 9 June 2009, he was declared the winner against tough competition from finalist and eventual runner-up Leïla Aissaoui[1] as well as from third Camélia Jordana.

He proved to be a phenomenon with his piercings and tattoos, pretty face, smoky eye makeup (l'oeil de biche), deep baritone voice and unique sense of fashion.

[2] Group interpretations including Soan at the beginning of program On 22 June 2009, he was featured as supporting act before a Jean Corti concert at Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, in Paris, and between June and October 2009 took part in the Nouvelle Star 2009 Tour with 4 other finalists.