Sarcelles, France

July 13, 1977

One of the many stars to make the transition from the stage to the charts, Merwan Rim slowly worked his way up the French theater ladder before launching a successful solo pop career. Born Mourad Merwan Rim in Sarcelles in 1977, he quit his communication studies course at L'Université Paris to enroll in a performing arts school, and landed his first role in 2001 when he was cast as Ramses in Les Dix Commandements. In 2006, he played François, Duke of Beaufort in Le Roi Soleil, but gained his biggest break three years later when he appeared as both L'Aubergiste and the Clown Demoniaque in the musical phenomenon Mozart: l'Opera Rock. Having already contributed to two tracks on Canadian vocalist Marilou's self-titled sophomore album, he released his own album, L'Échappée, in 2012. ~ Jon O'Brien