Those who had predicted a fleeting career for her are eating their words. Soon to be a Chanel star, the small "Bird of Steel" continues to surprise them with the sureness of her choices. Francois Baudot subjected her to an interrogation. Vanessa, the angel of the charts. has just reached the heights. For Chanel, she soon becomes the new image of the Coco perfume in a commercial filmed by Jean-Paul Goude. Without loss of her spontaneity, of her instinct, of her alien aura. The look of a sex kitten, the eyes of liquid crystal, the pout of Bardot and the body of Lolita. By looking at her, you think of Louise Brooks, the scandalous brunette of silent film, who, Marlene Dietrich said, was the most beautiful blond in Hollywood. The paradoxal universe suits her well, she who, four years ago, was booed at MIDEM before floating, with "Joe le Taxi," to the heavens of the Top 10. A child-woman, yet so adult, who today is a star, does not cease to surprise us with the security of her choices, the good management of her image, and the way she has with luck. Velvety pop songs, with music worthy of being put to words by such great artists as Etienne Ground-Gil or Serge Gainsbourg. Jean-Baptiste Mondino does the music videos. Azzedine Alaia does the little black dresses. And Lou Reed allows the daring cover of the legendary "Walk on the Wild Side." And everything so fast. In 1981, the baby singer begins with Jacques Martin on The School of Fans. Mom and dad are young, in love. 10 years later, when Vanessa sings on TV, its in the company of Johnny Halliday or Rita Mitsouko. Her friends are called Goldman, Lio, or Julien Clerc, and only absent from now on, Serge, who between two heart attacks, uttered this advertisement in the form of promise: "Paradise, it's hell." A Victoire [Grammy] in 1990 (and tears), the singer pulverizes the last of our reservations when she asserts herself as an actress in White Wedding: a Cesar [Oscar] for Best New Actress. Today a public, immense and varied, waits for her to tour. But this little bird of steel does not do anything haphazardly. She will wait until she is ready. Vanessa won't go onstage not because she's afraid, but because she takes the natural course of her destiny. We are told: "A star is born." False. She was born a star. Programmed in her crib. As a bud becomes a flower, a catterpiller a butterfly, the princess serenely found her kingdom. The most visible, the most envied, she risks being the most alone. Vanessa's world has much in common with fairy tales. A fabulous world where there's a mixture of wonders and cruelty. Contrary to a childhood without stories, with boring dreams and schoolgirl loves, Vanessa assumes her gifted destiny. Is it this certitude of a slightly alarming predestination that fills her songs with melancholy? Echoes of a fallen paradise for Vanessa? Paradis, that's your name? You got it. When do you wake up in the morning? I don't wake up in the morning. If nobody disturbs me, I can sleep until 4 p.m. Your mother is your best friend? No. For some time now, I've had the impression that I am the mother. Do you age very quickly after three years in show business? I haven't aged, I've grown. Joe le Taxi, he's your dad? Yeah, a little bit. My father is the son of a blue-collar man. From the age of 13, he worked to feed his family. Today, he has his own company and is happy with my mom and my little sister in a pretty house in the country. Like the Joe of the song, he's a dreamer. With the difference that my father has realized his dreams. What's your favorite book? I rarely read. Other than scripts. My reading, it's music. Real life makes me dream more than books. However, there's a book that bowled me over, Perfume by Patrick Suskind. Do you think 20 is the greatest age of one's life? I'll judge that in two years. Do you sometimes think of suicide? I never thought of it once. Does you sometimes dream that you are a man? Never. When I was little, I was a tomboy -- definitely at playing games. Today, I feel fine as a girl. I happen to still play dolls with my sister who is 6 years old. Who would you choose if you reincarnated yourself into a famous singer? Do I have the right to say... Jimi Hendrix? Ah! See, you said a man. And the songs with lyrics? When you sing a song, the most important thing is the melody and the sound of the words. If, in addition, that tells a story, all the better! Your favorite single? "Don't Leave Me," by Brel. And the CD you've worn out from listening to it so much? "Around the World in a Day" by Prince and also "Sign of the Times." Prince is the person I most want to meet. For professional reasons... What director do you think best expresses modern times? (Hesitation) Uh! Philippe Starck. At least he's had an effect on me. In your handbag what must you absolutely pack? My cream! And then my agenda. Inside, there are photographs, scribbles, friends' phone numbers... The rest, I don't care. Are you the type that buys a Picasso or a Van Gogh? You know, me, the big names... What's the first thing you look at in a man? If he has stupid eyes, I look no further. Do you like to wear glasses? I should wear them. If your house burns, what do you save first? In the apartment, there are three motorcycles. I'd save the music and the motorcycles. You've already driven fast cars? I love that. Now that I'm old enough, I can finally get my lisence. What's your favorite quality in a woman? Naturalness -- and the same in a man. Naturalness and honesty. Do you like your body? There are definitely people who adore it. Me, no. At what age do you become old? There is no age. It's how you think. What's your definition of courage? Knowing that you are hurting yourself for the benefit of others. What's your favorite word in the French language? I like to say "shit." I like to say "I love you." Do they compliment each other? Kind of, yes. For me, a song I love is "Walk on the Wilde Side," which says shit to conventions, do what you want, what you want to do, even if it's dirty, even if doesn't look good. It's necessary to love some, but to also say shit to others. It's a cry of liberty. Finally, you're not a rebel, but an independant? That's it, however, when I am two days without my guy or my friends, I suffer. I am independant, but in a group. And what age did you fall in love for the first time? At 10 and a half. Would you give everything up for love? Without hesistation. Do prefer to seduce or convince? When you've seduced someone, you have them around your little finger. Where is the ideal place, according to you, to meet a future lover? Anywhere, any time! Who do you want to impress the most? My boyfriend. What do you wear to bed? Nothing.