CB01

Lio’s career began in 1979 with her hit “Banana Split,” whose ambiguous lyrics contrasted with its playful melody. Other hits like “Les brunes comptent pas pour des prunes” and “Fallait pas commencer” soon made her a pop icon. But behind the glitter and the carefree image lay a darker truth: that of a child who survived sexual assault and a woman who endured domestic violence. Refusing silence, Lio became one of the first French-speaking artists to speak openly about gender-based abuse, denouncing the mistreatment of young women in the music industry and naming femicides long before the term became common. Her path reveals a striking transformation—from the Lolita image built by the record industry to that of a feminist who embraces aging with pride. With her white hair and wrinkles, Lio stands as a symbol of strength, resilience, and the passage from imposed silence to liberated speech.