Death of Loana: why her disappearance shocked us

His first name was enough. Loana, five letters for a personality identifiable among a thousand. Everyone knew her, so everyone was stunned when they learned of her death on Wednesday evening, detractors and fans alike of “Loft Story”, the first reality TV show to arrive in France on April 26, 2001. Repulsive for some, fascinating for others. “Voyeurs, on your screens,” was the headline in our newspaper that day. Obviously suspicious, definitely intrigued. So we watched, as voyeurs first, then as viewers. TV curiosity has become a social phenomenon with at the center of all discussions, Loana, a lost young girl, too tender of a heart, an endearing candidate who burst onto the screen. And not just for a torrid sequence in a swimming pool with Jean-Édouard who skipped it so quickly.