Quebecer Becomes First in Two Decades to Win Female Artist of the Year
When Charlotte Cardin stepped onto the stage at the 41st Victoires de la Musique in Paris on February 13, 2026, she wasn’t just collecting a trophy. She was marking a milestone: the first Quebec-born artist to win female artist of the year in France since 2003. It was a moment that underscored how this Montreal-born, Paris-based singer has quietly, then unmistakably, risen from local favourite to international force.
A Breakthrough Victory in Paris
The Victoires de la Musique are France’s closest equivalent to the Grammys, celebrating artistic excellence across genres. Cardin’s win in the female artist of the year category is significant for multiple reasons. For one, she’s the first Quebecer to take home this honour in more than two decades, a distinction last achieved by singer-songwriter Lynda Lemay in 2003.
At the ceremony, Cardin paused to recognise her fellow nominees, including Aya Nakamura, Santa and Vanessa Paradis, all of whom have had remarkable careers in their own right. Cardin told the audience, “For a Quebecer who has just recently moved to Paris, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better welcome from the French.” Capitalising on the emotional weight of the moment, she also paid tribute to her fans, saying they are “the ones who gave me the place I have today.”
From Montreal to Global Recognition
Cardin’s career has been on a deliberate ascent for years. After releasing her second studio album 99 Nights in 2023, she quickly became one of Canada’s most streamed artists. Her heartfelt songwriting and stylistic versatility helped her build an international audience in both English- and French-speaking markets.
Her evolution as an artist hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, Billboard Canada named her its first-ever Woman of the Year, and in 2025 she represented the publication at Billboard’s Women in Music event in Los Angeles as Global Woman of the Year.
One of her most successful singles in recent years, “Confetti,” spent 16 weeks on the U.S. Adult Pop Airplay chart and helped introduce her to American audiences. Meanwhile, her francophone track “Feel Good” peaked at No. 5 on the France Songs chart and remained on that ranking for 31 weeks. She also collaborated with French rappers GP Explorer and SCH on “Poursuite,” which peaked at No. 24.
The Music Behind the Moment
At the award show, Cardin performed her newest single “Tant pis pour elle,” a French-language release that signals a new chapter in her artistic journey. The song debuted on airplay charts in both Canada and Europe and represents her return to francophone material after a string of English-language hits.
Critics have framed “Tant pis pour elle” as a bold move a visceral pop anthem that reflects both personal freedom and artistic maturation. It was co-written with longtime collaborators Jason Brando and Ellie Blondeau and marked a departure from her previous work in English-dominant releases.
While “Tant pis pour elle” was nominated for best song and best music video at the Victoires, it did not win, but its reception only reinforced Cardin’s relevance in two major music markets.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Cardin’s Victoires award adds her name to a select group of Quebec artists recognised in France. Céline Dion, arguably the most internationally renowned Canadian francophone artist, was named francophone artist or group of the year at the Victoires in 1996. That same year she also won for best song and best music video with “Pour que tu m’aimes encore,” later winning another best song award in 2002 for “Sous le vent.”
Other Quebec artists, such as Isabelle Boulay and Garou, have since received nominations or awards from the French ceremony, but Cardin’s win stands out as both a personal achievement and a cultural bridge.
What This Win Means
Here’s the thing: award shows aren’t just about trophies. They reflect shifting cultural currents and changing tastes. Cardin’s success in France speaks to the increasing resonance of Quebec artists on the global stage. It’s evidence that music can transcend language barriers when it’s anchored in authenticity. Her ability to navigate both English and French music markets gives her a unique edge in an industry still grappling with how to balance local roots and global reach.
Her win also raises questions about representation and access for other non-French native artists in France. Cardin’s path might just inspire a new generation of musicians from outside Europe to stake their claim on international stages.