Sheila, a legendary figure in French music, isn’t one to beat around the bush when addressing wrongdoings. During her appearance on the program “On refait la télé” aired on RTL on March 29, 2025, she gave a compelling account of the gender bias and discrimination based on age that persist within the music sector. Even after years of advocating for equal rights, the stark reality stands out: the music domain continues to be dominated by men, with females needing to continually assert their credibility... and fading into obscurity once they reach a particular age.
A sector still dominated by males
At 79, Sheila has lived through it all and done it all. Spanning from the yéyé era to enduring classics, she has left an indelible imprint on the annals of French music. Despite the glamour and success, she has also encountered—and suffered under—an industry with unequal standards. Her assessment remains unambiguous:
I question whether this isn’t even more dire! Frankly, it’s a society dominated by men who have little tolerance for women past the age of forty. Once you surpass that age, you’re relegated to handling household chores.
An impassioned diatribe that echoes strongly. As upcoming vocalists grapple with establishing their identities, artists who have achieved significant success encounter an almost unbreakable glass ceiling.
The burden of aging: an additional penalty for female artists
In the realm of entertainment, mere talent isn’t sufficient. There are additional standards one must fulfill… particularly for women. Sheila highlights an undeniable truth: beyond the age of 40, female vocalists start fading out of the spotlight, whereas male artists keep receiving acclaim.
There are numerous radio stations out there... Every girl, be it Zazie or Amel Bent... They never get played. Women aren't allowed to age; they must step aside! This situation is highly sexist.
This biting remark underscores disparate treatment: as men have enduring and honored professions, women face an ongoing battle merely to remain relevant past a certain point in their lives.
An assumed masculine emphasis
Sheila highlights another concerning issue: the limited coverage of female artists in the media. Upon releasing an album, a singer’s career is often celebrated, emphasizing their staying power and abilities. However, for women singers, this narrative takes a different turn. The thing that distresses me is that when we create an album, our intention isn’t simply for us to perform it in our bathrooms. Our aim is for others to hear and appreciate it. She clarifies. Nevertheless, platforms, radio programming, and music shows predominantly favor males.
If you consider artists like Julien Clerc, Alain Souchon, Laurent Voulzy... For all these men, we celebrate their careers... But for all the women, it’s quite different. They’re often overlooked, despite having accomplished just as much as their male counterparts!
An obvious disparity that highlights the enduring inequalities within the music business.
Recognition with variable geometry
Why do male musicians keep receiving acclaim, whereas women progressively fade away from our television screens and radio broadcasts? Could this disparity stem from differences in viewership preferences, financial considerations, or merely entrenched customs resistant to alteration? Sheila points out an alarming paradox:
Our careers paralleled theirs, yet we didn't receive equal recognition.
Her message is unmistakable: it’s time to reconsider how we assess the efforts of female artists. The music sector needs to cease viewing them as fleeting products and genuinely acknowledge their input.
Although we still have a considerable distance to cover, individuals such as Sheila play a crucial role in sparking discussions and highlighting these inequities. The music sector requires increased diversity, greater justice, and most importantly, genuine acknowledgment of the skills possessed by women musicians irrespective of their stage in life.