Sophie Reverdi's multiverse of love

« In our earthly journeys, we sometimes have insignificant experiences or encounters that we forget, or that we end up forgetting, fortunately for us.

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But sometimes, when the Universe gets involved, we have those unpredictable encounters, like luminous, kind, and comforting gifts.

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To all these visible or invisible angels, who have illuminated my path, I would like to say thank you..."

 

 

CREDITS

 

"To you, creative souls who have infused life and inspiration into this space, on an artistic, technical level, and beyond, I send you all my love and gratitude."

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• To my dear Théotime Riquart for the brilliant design and creation of this beautiful website, for your patience, kindness, and efficiency... Thank you Theo, this is our second project together, and I hope there will be others, I hope you too :) www.theoriq.fr

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 • To my very old and loved friend Ahmed Chebil for recovering my old "Heartbroken in London" website, which seemed impossible to retrieve...and for having be our first friend and guide when we arrived in Tunisia 20 years ago, Jana and I, with Justin and Valentin who were only 6 at the time… Nice and beautiful eternal memories.

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 • Aurélien Vivès for his magnificent videos in this website, (the re-edition of a « 9 avenue B concert »at "Glazzart" in Paris, for video of the Collias house, for the one of my restaurant « La salle à Manger » in Brussels, for the one on the « 9 avenue B »memories, for the one of « A Week in Provence », and for subtitling brilliantly my two films "Heartbroken in London" and "Out of Basarabia", for his undeniable talent and kindness. A thousand thanks…   https://www.instagram.com/aurel.vs/profilecard/?igsh=c2lsZHVpN3U0NjBz

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• To Elise Hobbé, my beloved friend, my darling, for convincing me that the pictures on my Nokia were a movie, and for this unique bond we’ve shared since 2001 at the Cours Florent, a bond that will never change. A stunning actress, a director, coach, and theater teacher, and an extraordinary woman, an exceptional mother. https://www.theatre-contemporain.net/biographies/Elise-Hobbe/

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• To Styve Vanin, for allowing me to create Heartbroken in London, inspiring me and reigniting my desire to love again. But above all, for your artistic talent, a gift from the Universe, and your extraordinary, multifaceted genius. To see one of his sides as a graphic designer: https://www.facebook.com/StyveVanin/?locale=fr_FR

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 • To Emmanuel Reverdi for allowing me to work with him, in his unique, rare, and experimental musical universe, that was so visionary and ahead of our time. Your universe was so utterly brilliant. Thank you for composing these 3 albums that resembles us, but most importantly for giving me our sons, Justin and Valentin, who have brought immense meaning and richness to my life, the greatest gift I've ever received.To discover the hidden talents of Emmanuel Reverdi as a gifted painter:https://www.ville-chaville.fr/actualites-evenements/l-agenda-133/exposition-de-peintures-d-emmanuel-reverdi-4450.html?cHash=1d345268b3c83ab4911b99dc6cbf804e  and on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/artist/6uwELOYCpzIDr7vEV0xwJL

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• À Tarek El Ouaer pour ton talent artistique et ton expertise, pour ton très beau travail sur « Out of Basarabia » et pour tout ce que tu as fait pendant de nombreuses années pour « Smart and Light » et dans nos vies. pour retrouver tarek qui est un spécialiste de la 3D t des effets spéciaux, en plus d'un vidéaste, graphiste et peintre extraordinaire: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11286311/?language=fr-fr

 

GRATITUDE

 

TO ALL THE OTHER ANGELS, WHO CARRIED ME ON THEIR WINGS AND ENRICHED MY EARTHLY JOURNEY WITH THEIR HEAVENLY GIFTS….

 

• To Irma Pavani, whom I love with all my heart, and who, fortunately for me, came into my life when I was 14 and she was 28, at a time when I needed her so much, her and no one else. No one in the world could have played the essential role that she played in my life. Our two lives resembled each other in so many ways, and she had already experienced everything before me. She could fully understand me in every way, support me, comfort me, and encourage me. Heaven truly sent her to me, allowing me to get through that time in my life when everything was falling apart. Irma is the most generous, the strongest, the most optimistic, altruistic, and charismatic person. She is, of course, the godmother of my children, Justin and Valentin, whom she held in her arms as soon as they were born, because she was right there beside me. She has gone through so many difficult things and is still the same today, a fighter, an Italian mama whom I love deeply and always admired.

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• Axel Moreaux – I would need an entire book to talk about you and our long, chaotic friendship, but despite everything, I love you, and you matter to me. So many, many crazy memories, including the year you spent with me in Brussels at La Salle à Manger, the opening of your beautiful restaurant a stone’s throw from the Pantheon in Paris, where Manu and I celebrated our Parisian wedding with music, and a thousand other wild stories. Sending you a hug, my dear Axel.

 

• To Michel Rachline, the general secretary of «Albin Michel», for inspiring and encouraging me to write when I was 18. I loved our weekly dinners at "La Closerie de Lilas" in Montparnasse, his headquarters since the fifties, where he had been around the most incredible Parisian art scene, and told me countless stories about his life so unusual and so fantastically rich. To know more about him:  https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Rachline​​

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• To my beloved friend, Mireille Roobaert, the most incredible, talented, and gifted woman, a renowned photographer in Belgium and around the world. She is truly one of a kind and means so much to me. Our friendship is almost beyond words; she has always been there in my life, in my heart, and always will be. My years in Belgium would not have been the same without her; she is a magnificent and remarkable woman whom I love and admire deeply, and an amazing mother. We share unforgettable memories—love you, my Mimi. To learn more about Mireille’s incredible talent: https://www.mireilleroobaert.com/ 

 

• "To Nicolas Duroux, from VIRGIN, for choosing us, 9 avenue B, to represent the music of an entire era—the French Touch—in 1996, as the opening and closing soundtrack for Virgin Megastores. This was even before the record labels discovered us. Thank you for supporting us for so long with your invaluable and gentle kindness. Thank you, Nicolas."To learn more about Nicolas, who has completely reinvented himself as a renowned chef in Paris after a long career in music and media: https://www.facebook.com/nicolas.duroux/

 

• To my beloved Gilbert Castro, the owner of "Mélodie Music," our record company in Paris, rue Stendhaël, for believing in us with all his heart and soul, and for following us so faithfully for so many years. A man crazy for music, so charismatic and unique, who breathed only by the music. He was the father of “World Music”, but also a sponsor of “French Touch”, he was above all a talent scout, he discovered so many artists like “Cesaria Evora” and “Sapho”, and he owned the copyright to all jazz catalogues in France. He graciously offered me the use of Dinah Washington’s “Embraceable You” for my film “Heartbroken in London”, although it was quite sad that Manu and I had split up and 9 avenue B was coming to an end at that point... We had lunch together in Paris a year ago, I absolutely wanted to introduce him Justin and Valentin, it was a unique moment...To listen to an engaging interview with Gilbert Castro and learn more about him:https://gallica.bnf.fr/html/und/enregistrements-sonores/entretien-avec-gilbert-castro?mode=desktop

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• To my dearest Hervé Philippe of « Mélodie Music » for his friendship, his dedication and his beautiful humanity. A really great guy...

 

• To my dear Jean Davoust, our music editor, for adding us to his prestigious personal catalogue, "MEL," filled with the greatest legends of all time, a real honor, and also for signing us on "Famous Music France" (BMG).To find us in Jean Davoust's personal catalog:  https://creatorsconference.org/speaker/14/jean-davoust

 

• To Jean-Yves Hautemulle from ‘RIFF’ for producing the video of 'Access,' from the album 'Access,' and for allowing us to be featured for almost a year on 'M6' in the show 'Graines de stars' thanks to this video.To hear an interview about the remarkable musical and radio journey of Jean-Yves Hautemulle: www.lamecaniquedesondes.com/jean-yves-hautemulle/

 

• To Yann Mercier, for creating this beautiful music video, which we sadly lost (sending out an SOS in case anyone still has it...). To learn more about Yann Mercier’s career: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0580459/

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• To my darling Maïté Guetaff-Souard for brilliantly assisting me as co-agent of Erik Karol, a French countertenor I represented in New York, and for your incredible voice my Maïté, full of soul and emotions, that added this magic touch to some of the tracks from our first two albums. But also for your wonderful personality, your overflowing energy, your endless positivity, your sense of humor and for our beautiful friendship since 1996. You were definitely part of the adventure of "9 avenue B", in this so surprising Puerto Rican "Lower East Side" and you continued to accompany us with that divine voice, in our Parisian music studio, after our return to all three, when we left New York.

 

• To Marie-Micheline Mayer, Micky, my beloved sister with countless talents and a unique charisma, for writing one of the most beautiful songs on the album Brand New, "Peace." I could write an entire book about you, my Micky, my dear sister, but I write about you everywhere I go. I miss you, and I will always be grateful to the universe for being your little sister. I admired you in every way; you were talented, gifted, and one of a kind. Your two wonderful daughters, Lana and Juliette, have been like mine since their births, and you can be proud of them for building fantastic lives for themselves. They are both strong and talented, resembling you while being uniquely themselves, and they have both given birth to your fabulous grandsons, Micky, Luke, Ezra, and Bodhi, who, like you and their mothers, are incredible and filled with a beautiful light. I love you so much. Here’s the link to that magnificent poem written by my sister Micky: https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/track/0gbavf8u8vSzh24tiW9awU?si=c76824815c8e4178

 

• To Rose Tirelli, my very first roommate (she welcomed me into her incredible "zoo" home) when I arrived in New York, all alone, to write in 1995. She lived in the 'Meatpacking District,' at 14th and Gansevoort (which now houses the 'Whitney Museum of American Art' and the 'High Line,' and has become the trendiest neighborhood in Manhattan). What incredible luck I had to live with Rosy ! She was the most incredible chef I’ve ever known — half Italian, half Cuban — and had worked in all the trendy and glamorous spots in the city. She seemed to know everyone and introduced me to New York’s wild artistic scene. While I spent my days writing, Rosy would cook me fabulous meals, making sure I ate at least ten times a day, before dragging me to trendy clubs and wild parties. She was simply amazing, full of life, and so much fun. She even introduced me to Debbie Harry, where I was so star-struck I could barely talk, and later to the extraordinary Idée Alpert and Kevin Canterna Movsessian, whom I talk about just below."

 

• To Kevin Canterna Movsessian, my extraordinary friend and lover, former Broadway dancer (and longtime part of the “Alvin Ailey Dance Company”) who turned to sculpture, a pupil of his famous sculptor brother Barry Canterna Movsessian. Kevin was so many things at once—there was no one like him. And he never stopped inventing. He sometimes danced half naked on rooftops at sunset, he wore clothes chosen with a unique artistic sense. He loved beauty and the strange. He cooked divine dishes, because half Italian half Armenian, his cuisine was rich and sensual, like him. He never stopped creating, he spontaneously filmed or photographed moments or objects that moved him. He loved nudity, and sometimes ran naked on the sand in front of his house on Fire Island (an island opposite Manhattan) behind a flamboyant kite that he had just built. He liked to create cinematic atmospheres for me, creating unreal sets with unknown but splendid music, tons of incense, and lighted candles everywhere, hundreds. He did like that, spontaneously, but he often did... He lived in an impressive six-story house on Lexington and 71st Street, designed by his brother-in-law, a very well known interior designer, David Barret,  https://www.doyle.com/story/david-barrett-style/  and in this other house on Fire Island on the ocean, there was a bedroom made of glass, surrounded by a bamboo forest, I can’t find the words... He introduced me to so many great people, because Manhattan was his stronghold. We were an unusual couple, but at that time it all seemed right.Loved you Kev!

 

• To my beloved poetess friend, Idée Alpert, my most precious guardian angel when I arrived in New York. Idée was a rare soul, a talented artist from another time. Not only was she of breathtaking beauty, but she was also a delicate and romantic child-wife. Idea was deeply spiritual, a pianist, composer, poet, singer and painter of exceptional talent. Her poetry was so beautiful that I used several of his poems in our albums "9 avenue B". She was kind, always worried about me when I was alone in the city or with Rose (whom Idée affectionately called "Crazy Rosy"). She was a real angel. On stage, she blew soap bubbles during our concerts in NYC, and for years, she sent me the most beautiful poems and paintings that I treasure every time I move. She was unique and I miss her terribly.

 

 

• To my adored friend Beth Bongar, my fire-eater friend, my clown friend, my hilarious and loving friend who made those musical years in Manhattan so unforgettable to me, to us. A longtime friend of Kevin's, Beth was ridiculously funny. She was definitely a key figure in "9 avenue B," if not a pillar. Her deep, spiritual voice is etched into a few tracks of our album Access. She performed with us in several venues and on The Millennium Prophecy Project, eating fire on stage while Idée blew bubbles. She lovingly gave us shelter in her massive Tribeca loft (above Bette Midler’s, no less!), where we even rehearsed before concerts. So many great memories... She’s also one of the strongest and most loving women I’ve ever known, in every aspect of her being, and I love her deeply.To know more about this amazing woman: https://artistecard.com/laughingdiva

 

• To my beloved Geri Cimbala, who was a spectacular and beautiful soul, a recognized fashion photographer in Manhattan. She had her own unique and chic style, full of love, humor and sensitivity. I met her in Paris when she came for a photo shoot with Kevin, and from that moment on we became like sisters. My life in Manhattan would never have been the same without her glowing personality. I miss her terribly. She called me “Mamma” without me really knowing why. Geri was a real party girl, and paradoxically, she loved the arts and took me to the most magnificent galleries and exhibitions, as well as to the best classical concerts, and best restaurants. She was everything-wild, cultured, loving--and I loved her. She left much too early, as she had always predicted, saying that she would never want to be 40.

 

 

• To the great Jeff Bien, one of Canada’s most famous poets and "Spoken Word" specialists, in the line of Allan Ginsberg. Jeff was a long-time friend of Manu, and I first met him in Paris when we came back from NY because of my pregnancy. It was at this point that I discovered his mind-blowing world of words. He often collaborated with Manu, Jeff recited his poems and Manu improvised sublime sounds to accompany him.  I felt privileged to be a witness of all this beauty. Jeff has generously allowed us to use some of his beautiful poems on a few of our albums, and I am so grateful for that. to discover more of Jeff: https: //www.jeffbien.com/music-bio/

 

• To my darling friend, Shay O'Brien, for our 30 years of unwavering friendship, but most importantly for being one of the first to recognize my potential and give me sincere encouragement. He has inspired me so deeply with his impressive personality and professional achievements that one of my sons, Valentin is named after him, while my other son Justin is named after his brother, Duncan. I am infinitely grateful to him for all the countless times he has found the right words to move me forward and raise me on my life path.

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• To my dearest friend, Françoise Courvalin, for guiding and encouraging me during one of the darkest periods of my life when Manu and I were separated and my beloved mother had just left this world. I was devastated, but Françoise invested her time, her energy and even her resources in me, helping me to rebuild myself from scratch. She really believed in me and “Smart and Light”, and for that I will be forever indebted to her.

 

• To my dear Professor Albert-François Creff, a world-renowned nutritionist who literally saved my life with his wise advice, his raw yet sincere words, his compassion and concern for my health, and his wisdom. He allowed me to continue living and to pursue my path, and I will always be eternally grateful to him. Today, the Albert Creff Prize is awarded to recognize work related to nutrition and lifestyle applied to physical activity and sports, whether fundamental research or practical applications, written in French. To learn more about his books: https://lessaisons.fr/personne/albert-francois-creff/59472/

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• To my dear Professor Edward E. Mason, my other beloved and greatly missed savior, who technically saved my life by making me the first French patient to be operated on by him, allowing me to live and achieve so much in the field of weight management. I miss his support, warmth, friendship, and humility every day. I have dedicated a page to him on my website, where you can read one of his many letters of encouragement: https://www.smartandlight.com/en/pf/edward-e-mason-2/ Finally, you can watch a tribute to this amazing man, who invented bariatric surgeries, on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKstBXB6ddw

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• To my beloved Zineb Tamazit, whom I love deeply, the most beautiful girl in the world, the most authentic, wonderful, funny, and sentimental. My adored heart, but also the strongest and most incredible woman and mother. We met on September 11, 2001, a date no one can forget, at the Cours Florent, and we shared an extraordinary year together. For 24 years now, we have loved each other... Transitioning from fashion styling to assistant director in cinema, as well as acting (to discover Zineb as an actress: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10765415/?language=fr-fr    or directly through the link of 'Stabat Mater', the film by Laurent Tabet, where I had the pleasure of sharing the screen with her along with our Béa: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xf1xx5 Gifted in everything and for everything, passionate, and dedicated. To discover her work as an assistant director: Zineb Tamazit as Assistant Director on IMDb :  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9474269/

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• To Béa, Béatrice Brunet-Bernstein, also known as Demi Mondaine, my Rockstar—transcendent in beauty and talent, a unique woman who is both strong and fragile, yet incredibly creative and talented. She's an amazing mother too, and I love her dearly, with all my heart. I met Béa at the 'Cours Florent', and I immediately told her she was a “rock star.” It was Manu who created her first track, “Cage blanche.” I also visited her in London, where she lived with her future husband and father of their son Zak, Howie B (an immense star, musician, DJ, producer for U2, and especially known as the "Father of English electronic music" just before creating "Heartbroken"). To discover her (Béa is also the lead voice in Jean-Paul Gaultier's show Le Fashion Freak Show) and her parallel universes, her immense talent, and her journey, which she owes entirely to herself, here are a series of links... Her website: http://demimondaine.fr/                      youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA3I87lZG1POf15bXC3vhJA    and her  instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/demi_mondaine?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

 

• To my dearest, Dr. Albert Chocron, my very good friend who left us and whom I venerated for inspiring me so deeply and for giving me the keys to the program “Smart and Light”. His tireless support and friendship since 2001 were gifts I will never forget. He was a passionate, loving and dedicated person, a loyal friend in every way.I still can't get over her passing just a few months ago. https://www.smartandlight.com/pf/albert-chocron/

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• To my dear friend Jana Vitezova for all the incredible work she has done in our “Smart and Light” adventure and for our beautiful sisterhood since 2001, filled with love, understanding and joy. I love her so much, this incredible mum of 4 gorgeous girls.Here is her story:  https://www.smartandlight.com/pf/jana-france/

 

• To my darling friend Sofiane Maktouf, my so beloved friend, for the last 30 years, for always offering me his wise and affectionate advice with such spontaneity. His energy, faith and support guided me to the best years of my life in Tunisia. I will always love you my Sof.

 

• To my dear great friend, Dr. Ridha Kechrid, for opening the doors of Tunisia and the Ministry of Health to me at a time when I was nobody. I will be forever grateful for his continued support on many occasions, especially since my return to Europe in 2012. But above all, I thank him for introducing me to Professor Khemais Nagati in 2004 and for the trust and friendship we have shared over the years. Ridha, I will always be grateful. Here is his precious testimonial: https://www.smartandlight.com/en/pf/ridha-kechrid-3/

 

• To my mentor and friend, the late and beloved Professor Khemais Nagati, for allowing me to accomplish so many things with him during these nine magical and unreal years in Tunisia. He taught me so much, supported me tirelessly, and put me forward as an expert, even though I had no scientific background—but just my passion for the cause of obesity, my willingness to help, and my ideas. Thank you for the extraordinary friendship we have shared. Here is a moving and marvelous video he did for me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrHwDonYdls&t=32s

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• To my very dear Tijani Hadad, Minister of Tourism of Tunisia, for his incredibly warm support over the years. Not only did he cover the official launch of “Smart and Light” in Tunisia, but he also always welcomed me with open arms in his office when I was having difficulties with hotel partners. I have met some amazing people in this beautiful country. Thank you Si Tijani, with all my heart...

 

• To my very dear Dr. Ridha Mzabi, one of the most extraordinary people I have had the honor to meet. Renowned surgeon in Tunis and first in Tunisia to perform bariatric surgery, (obesity surgery) Dr. Mzabi came to me as a client looking to lose 15 pounds. After his success, he sent me the best customer testimonial I have ever received. Here is the link to his testimonial: https://www.smartandlight.com/en/pf/ridha-mzabi-2/And instead of operating on his patients, he started sending them to me after seeing his own success. He is a truly exceptional man.

 

• To my dear friend Nadia Ayadi, an extraordinary woman, beautiful and incredibly generous, who opened the doors for me and gave me the keys to all of Tunisian society. She was an ambassador of this wonderful country for me. From our very first meeting, she offered me the opportunity to write in her magazine, « Femmes et Réalités » ( Women & Realities) (the women’s version of « Réalités »( Realities) , which was Tunisia’s first independent economic magazine). Women and Realities, was where she was the editor-in-chief. Without even a second of hesitation, I said yes. Thanks to Nadia, I met everyone—the most extraordinary people—from artists to doctors, from lawyers to journalists, from celebrities to intellectuals, from business women and business men to politicians—it was unbelievable! But the most incredible part was,  that every Christmas, Nadia, who was Franco-Tunisian, organized fabulous Christmas Eve celebrations in her beautiful home, inviting her closest friends, and my children and I were honored to be included. Thanks to her, with my little press card, I could go everywhere, conduct the most fascinating interviews, and gain a deeper understanding of the country where I lived with my two little boys. Thanks to you, I also had the opportunity to write for « Réalités » All of this was possible because of my beautiful Nadia, to whom I will always be grateful—an affectionate, caring friend and a truly great lady.https://www.smartandlight.com/en/s-reverdi-the-author-of-half-zero-in-the-eyes-of-my-father-i-was-less-than-a-zero/

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• To Madame Faty Degallaix, whom I love with all my heart and to whom I am eternally grateful for her unconditional support when I arrived in Tunisia, for her precious friendship, her kindness, and her generosity, for her beauty and charm, her infectious joy for life, and her loyalty to me, even though she owes me nothing, over these past 20 years. Faty, my dear, how could I ever thank you for everything you've done for me? You are a queen. I love you deeply my Faty.

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• Foued Bahri was a true blessing for us. He was the one to whom I entrusted my two six-year-old babies with complete confidence, all day, when we arrived in Tunisia. Jana and I had thousands of things to do, and we needed a big brother who was reliable, kind, loving, protective, caring, and honest to look after Justin and Valentin. But he was even more than that: he was funny, attentive, loving, cheerful, warm, inventive, always listening to them like a genie in a magical lamp. He had only one mission: to make them happy and protect them. He told them incredible and sweet stories, talked to them about animals, and taught them about his wonderful country, guiding them through every corner of Sidi Bou Said as both a guide and an older brother. He didn’t leave their side, even staying with them while our dear African pastor gave them lessons. He would then take them to the port for ice cream or donuts, play music for them—he just did everything. Moreover, he cooked like a real chef and knew exactly how to engage with children. He literally saved our lives. He was the most extraordinary big brother. The children adored him madly and only wanted to be with him. Thank you, my dear Foued, my Fofo, you are our family. Today, Foued is the proud father of two wonderful little girls who go to the American School in Tunis, and he’s the best dad in the world.

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• Baya Benhassan: Oh, the unique and incomparable Baya, what a blessing it was to have met her. She took over from Foued after two years and loved my sons as if they were her own children. She had an indescribable charisma and a great sense of humor, sometimes a bit offbeat but always so funny. She was so authentic, spontaneous, and joyful. She stayed with us for seven years, filling our lives and our home with so much warmth and good humor that we could never find another Baya. She used to wake me up in the morning by sitting on the edge of my bed with a huge cup of coffee scented with orange blossom and cardamom, stirring it with a small spoon until, overwhelmed and exhilarated by the comforting smell and the rhythmic sound of metal against porcelain, I would finally open an eye. I found it so unique, so delicate, and so kind. I’ve never seen anything like it. She became a true member of our family. She cooked fabulously well, and light as well (we had taught her, but then she created hundreds of light adaptations of traditional Tunisian dishes that we still dream about today). My sons adored her, and she was crazy about them. Beyond her indescribable personality, she never stopped; she sang, played the djembe, made us laugh all the time. She was like a white tornado, taking care of everything and everyone. Our beloved Baya, we miss you so much. Today, she has two beautiful children, a bit like her… Magnificent.

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• To Anne-Stéphanie Vielle-Traoré (Stef), my Stef, whom I’ve loved with all my heart since she was 15. Her diplomat parents were our neighbors in Sidi Bou Saïd when we had just arrived, and we immediately had a spark of friendship and love—a very deep love, not romantic of course, but truly profound. She was absolutely incredible and always getting into mischief (I think she reminded me of the 15-year-old girl I had been—rebellious, limitless, brilliant of course). But Stef was a thousand times more brilliant than I was—cultured, ultra-intelligent, and mature, even if that sounds paradoxical. This is often the case with children of diplomats who move to a new country every four years. She spoke several languages perfectly, including Romanian and Arabic, and she was the symbol of freedom. Today, she is an incredible mother, and I have the privilege and honor of being the godmother of her son, Djam. And today, as always, I love her.

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• Mohsen Sebagh was the owner of our fabulous house in La Soukra, but in less than a month, he became like family. Another father figure for the kids, he would do homework with them and talk about philosophy and art for hours—a smart, charming, good-looking intellectual, a bit like “The Dude” from The Big Lebowski, Justin's favorite movie. He was a great friend to me, and we got along like two peas in a pod. He was always there for us. What luck we had to meet such kind, loving, interesting, spiritually-inclined, deep, generous, and warm people. We did so many things together, my dear Mohsen, and every time we see you again, we are filled with joy. You and your brother Karim, whom you've cared for your whole life like a father, better than a father. We are forever grateful for all those beautiful memories: our getaways, our evenings, our precious moments, the meals we cooked together, our endless conversations, our early morning walks on the beach in La Marsa at sunrise. But most of all, thank you for that time you tossed baby Micro (our dog) over the wall of the house one Sunday morning… We love you, Mohsen.​

 

• To my dear Michèle Fitoussi of «ELLE magazine», for her magnificent "Foreward" of the « Carnet de Route» and its English version, «The Logbook», as well as for the wonderful articles on her blog about my films. Above all, I thank her for introducing me to her beloved cousin, Martine Zeitoun, who has become like a sister to me and whom I would love all my life because she is the most extraordinary person. To know more about the amazing career of Michèle: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mich%C3%A8le_Fitoussi

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• To my friend, my sister by blood and heart, Martine Zeitoun. Martine and I met in Tunisia, at a time when I had just lost my older sister, Micky, and I was devastated. Then, as always, the heavens sent me a friend who would become a sister. (They were about the same age, had lived in Paris at the same time, and were very similar—not physically, but in their charisma, their brightness, their radiant energy.) Martine’s laughter was a true remedy, her soft voice, her incredible kindness, her deeply soulful nature, and she was incredibly beautiful with irresistible charm. I helped her lose weight—she absolutely had to—but our bond never ended. She came back to visit me dozens of times in Tunisia, where she was born, and we would have the wildest fun. She took such good care of the boys and me; she was so kind, so generous, and she became part of our family. When we had to return from Tunisia rather suddenly, she moved heaven and earth to make sure that Justin and Valentin could be enrolled mid-year at the same high school where I had studied, right next to my father’s house. The alternative was a distant suburb... I will forever be grateful to her. My sons adore her, and she is "our Martine". Our encounter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRZ11tY_scM&t=101s 

 

• To my dear dear friend and brother Mohamed Khatiri, for being ever present, caring and always available for me, on any circumstances, real brotherhood, an incredible man a a great friend. He made my difficult return from Tunisia much smoother, and I will never ever forget that, thank you my brother.

 

• To my very dear Wilhelm Westerfeld, for his unwavering support since 2012, his faithful friendship and his valuable advice. Founder of a major communication agency in Paris, 'The Renaissance group", he did everything he did for me, purely and simply as a friend, again, I was very lucky. He was the one who convinced me to publish “The Intuition of the Zero Cut”. Wilhelm is unique, charismatic and incredibly generous. Thank you, very much dear “Mr. Westerfeld”. Dear Whilelm. To know more about this great man: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilhelm-westerfeld-1bb49321/?originalSubdomain=fr

 

• To Richard Dimosi, my very very dear friend, for helping me over the years, and on so many levels, with immense devotion and expertise. He has been a strong presence in my personal and professional life, and I cherish our wonderful friendship, and our deep and truthful bond.

 

• To my adored Falah Al-Jaizani, the one and only, thank you my love for always being there for me and my sons, with your immense power of love and dedication, for your fabulous energy and extraordinary sense of humor, for the sunshine you brought into our lives, for your professional commitment to my projects, your faith in me and in my sons. You have taught us so much about life. We still miss you very much, and we always will. You can be proud of your three amazing and beautiful children, Maddison, Milan and Gabriel who misses you much. Saby, your sister misses you much, so does your parents, and all your very numerous friends too, yes, we all do. Us: https://www.instagram.com/p/DA_-as0tPnq/

 

• To my dear Harald Benoliel of “IS Edition”, for publishing my books with such patience, kindness and efficiency. Thank you for your trust.

 

• To Sylvie Tenenbaum, my dear and loving friend, for her literary advices and the beautiful preface she wrote for «Half zero” in the French version “ L’Intuition du zéro coupé” ». Our friendship, filled with shared laughter, means a lot to me. Sylvie, who is a great therapist, has this remarkable personality, this great devotion to helping others heal themselves, and her home, where she receives her patients, reflects it so perfectly, and deeply moved me. At home, you can only feel good. She is not only a great author of psychology, she has written on many subjects, but she is an eternal writer--unique in her kind, and I love her very much. https://www.albin-michel.fr/sylvie-tenenbaum

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• To my dearest Guilaine Depis, for her brilliant public relations support of “Half zero” and for allowing me to speak with Amélie Nothomb, who told me on the phone that she had loved my book. Our partnership: https://guilaine-depis.com/?s=sophie+reverdi

 

• To my dear François Martini, for his fabulous article in “Critiques Libres” on ‘Half zero” as well as for his great kindness and constant support.https: //www.smartandlight.com/en/half-zero-by-sophie-reverdi/

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• To my dear friend, Dan Burcea, for his wonderful article in his award-winning literary journal “Lettres Capitales” for “Half zero”, as well for his magnificent preface of “Obesity is not a Fatality”. Thank you especially for our beautiful friendship and for the moving sharing of our common roots. https://www.smartandlight.com/en/grand-entretien-sophie-reverdi-ce-jour-la-je-me-suis-dit-que-je-voulais-absolument-vivre-2/

 

• To Annick Rivoire of «Libération», for her incredible article at the ‘Cannes Festival’ 2005 about «Heartbroken in London». https://www.liberation.fr/cinema/2005/05/12/les-courts-metrages-se-cherchent-un-mobile_519489/

 

• To Faïza Skandrani, for her incredible "Foreward" of “Obesity or Disease seen from the Inside” at the “Éditions Jugurtha International,” which she founded. I will never forget the day she came to Paris to say goodbye. Faïza, my dear, you were a Great and Immense Lady, an extraordinary woman, I miss you and I love you deeply. https://www.facebook.com/jugurthainternational/?locale=fr_FR

 

• "To my dear friend whom I love, Tarek M’rad, with whom we have done so much on so many levels, first as true friends, confidents and with whom I have so many wonderful memories and shared laughter. I love you, baby. You are family to us.

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• To my dear Kate Goff, for her many translations over the years, and in particular for the one of “Intuition du Zéro Coupé”, which became “Half zero”

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• To Ayana Mills Gallow, a best-selling author in the US, but also an incredibly human, a woman Minister, very involved with the African-American community, I thank her deeply for her wonderful article “From zero to heroe” and for her foreward on ‘Half zero”. I’m very grateful. www.smartandlight.com/en/from-half-zero-to-hero/

 

• To my darling sister, Cathey Armillas, for her incredible Foreward of “Obesity is not a Fatality”, but also for having helped me for many years with my “TED Talk” (which I unfortunately never gave—sorry, Cathey!), and for making me know her beautiful family. I love our sisterhood and the love we have shared over the years, and for that too: https://youtu.be/n2oQfcgwXNQ?si=Cp48-pt15SE79_Ho

 

• To my darling Flavien Milon, for being my collaborator for several years as an image and beauty consultant, in my « Smart and Light Center » at the Trocadéro in Paris, but above all for becoming a member of my family, one of the most radiant, funny, warm, and loyal people I know. I love you, my Flavien for ever and ever.  https://flavienmilon.fr/

 

• To Michel Lazarciuc:   https://www.micheltv.biz/    and Alexandre Silberman:  https://www.alexandresilberman.com/ from 'Canal +' for the creation of an institutional video for 'Smart and Light'

 

• To my darling Michel Lazarciuc also for his brilliant production on  'The Love Me Show,' but above all for being like a brother to me today, my friend whom I love dearly, who makes me laugh like no one else, and who has supported me through all my ups and downs for 10 years now. Michel is also the one who stayed with me all night, the day my father passed away... I love you, my Michel, always will. 

 

• To my dearest Pierre Folliot, for his wonderful editing work on our series 'The Love Me Show.'"

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• To my dear Youri Gone, from Capsulpop and Hitek magazines, for his superb article on “Heartbroken in London” on this site: https://www.heartbrokeninlondon.net/en/premier-film-smartphone

 

• To all journalists who followed us on “9 avenue B”, thank you for your support.

 

• Pascal Dupont for L’EXPRESS   https://www.lexpress.fr/informations/les-musiciens-des-mots_633447.html

• Benoît Carretier for TRAX

• Rédaction for MAGIC

• Jérôme Soligny for ROCK & FOLK

• Christophe Gros-Dubois for L’AFFICHE

• David Hallen for MIX

• Fiona Frowirth for FIP and MOUV

• JMF for TRIBECA

• Rédaction for BENZINE

 

• To Guillaume Mahé of ‘Radio Campus’, a truly unique journalist. Guillaume is an exceptional human being. When we met in 2004, “Brand New” was about to be released, but we decided to meet in person. Manu and I had just separated, and I was in pieces. I arrived for the interview just before Manu, and Guillaume noticed my distress. He said something to me that was completely unexpected, and I will remember it for the rest of my life. Just before Manu joined us, he told me, "Sophie, don't worry. Your children will carry you till tomorrow, and this album, your music, will remain as a legacy from you to them." That’s who Guillaume Mahé is. We became friends, sharing a love for poetry, and even began working on a project for a "poetry radio station." Though it didn’t materialize as I left for Tunisia, Guillaume went on to dedicate his life to teaching radio broadcasting to people without a voice—whether they were children from underprivileged areas, socially isolated adults, or elderly people living in poverty and loneliness. His beautiful project can be seen at: loeilalecoute.fr. Guillaume is an extraordinary man, with a rare pure heart.

 

To the journalists who supported the release of « Half Zero » a great great thanks!

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• Olivier Delacroix for EUROPE 1

• François Deymier for TLV

• Muriel Rivault for MAXI

• Catherine Tinghérian for THALASSO SPA

• Nadia Ayadi for FEMMES ET REALITES

• Ayanna Mills Gallow for INNERVISION

• Marc Williams and Cathey Armillas for IT’S ABOUT TO GO DOWN (YouTube)

 

• To Anaïs Deban for brilliantly producing the « Half Zero « trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9vHcOcmnwg

 

• To Distrokid, who currently distributes « 9 avenue B ».

 

• To Joana Sauer for the flawless completion of the “Collias House Project”.

 

• To my amazing team of « A Week in Provence »: Jennifer Emery, Thierry Roux, Loïc Dunal, Flavien Milon, Mathias Foreau, Mélina Rivaud, Frédéric Alliod, Michaël Gente, Guillaume Lehu, Chef Jérôme Nutile, Coralie Cure, and Charlène Genest. Check our video on our website : https://www.heartbrokeninlondon.net/en/annexes   or on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Csod4AAT2Q&t=114s

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• To my dear Lauriane Dimosi, whom I warmly and truly happily welcome into our world.

 

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TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS

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"I DEDICATE THIS SPACE TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS, THOSE WHO HAVE SHAPED AND SUPPORTED MY JOURNEY. THEY ARE AT THE HEART OF MY HAPPINESS AND INSEPARABLE FROM MY DEAREST MEMORIES."

 

MY FAMILY

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• To my two adored, incredible, loving and mysterious parents, Coca and Mircea, both born in Rumania, whom I miss daily and always will.

 

• To my adored and terribly missed, beautiful sister, Micky who was not only unique, but an extremely brilliant, gifted and clever journalist writing for the "NY Times", but who was also extremely funny, with a very peculiar personality. She was a second « mama » to me, as she was 18 years older than me, took great care of me, played with me and cuddled me for hours, played records from the 60 s to me, and gave me her collection of vinyl’s when she flew to America to study journalism, because I was so devastated with her departure.

 

• To my adored and utterly special aunt Daysie that I miss so so much, an incredible gifted painter, ski champion, graphologists, and the first one to go in the early 60’s into mind control, meditation, Sylva method, and many more other very cool stuffs, and taught me all she knew when I was only a little girl, I miss her every day.

 

• To my loving and devoted grand-mother Caroline (I still dream of her amazing cookies and cakes) and I often think of her, as she spent every morning cooking in the kitchen, and in the afternoon, she would open letters at my father’s office, 2 floors below, providing cakes to all his staff. She had raised her 7 younger brothers and sisters, as her mama had passed young, and therefore she was a hard-working woman, simple, and quite humble though a bit authoritarian…

 

• To my adored uncle Marius who was such a unique and hilarious character and a great physician, living in NYC, and with whom I raised hell, I miss him a lot.

 

• And to my great-aunt Missoï (my grandmother Carolines younger sister) who taught me good manners and the codes of the Parisian High Society, including how to hold a handkerchief in one hand to blow my nose, or how to smoke with a cigarette holder. She lived on Avenue Montaigne in Paris, I think above Dior, but only dressed in Chanel, always with her exquisite cigarette holder in hand and jewelry all over her. She was very different from my grandmother, but she was wonderfully amusing...

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• To my aunt Sofia, my father’s older sister, who was a great architect and a very beautiful woman, I was named after her, though my mother wanted to name me Romana… (love that Romana name, but I’m definitely a Sophie!)

 

• To my uncle Isidoro, my father’s older brother, (who was married to my adorable auntie Daysie, but they lived apart most of their lives). He lived in Argentina, in Buenos Aires, doing business (don’t really know what) but I remember he was a very kind and sweet man. The last time is saw my dear uncle Isidoro, he took me for a hot chocolate and a « Mont blanc » at « Carrette », a famous tea house, Place du Trocadéo in front of the Eiffel Tower. It was the first time, as I was about 12, that someone took me out for such a delicious and glamorous experience, and I was over the moon. So, sweetness is what I last remembered from him.

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• To my uncle Mirel (my mother’s younger brother) and to his wife my aunt Margherite who left us way to soon, but whom left us really nice memories.

 

• To my very dear great-uncle Nene Nolly and his wife Tanti Bassia, whom I loved very much and miss.

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• To my great-aunt Sophia Flavian, whom my mother loved dearly and who was very kind.

 

• And to my dearet cousins: Marutsa (my aunt Sofia’s daughter) who is a great mathematician, to Danièle and her children Lorenzo and Hugo, and to (her brother) Valère, married to his lovely wife Natalia and their children: Lucas, Mélissa, and Chiara. Danièle and Valère were raised with us, since very sadly, their parents Mirel and Margherite had left for other heavens, when my cousins still were teens. They are brothers and sisters to me. Danièle is a skilled social worker in Paris, and Valère a physician radiologist, who lives very near me in Provence. My more distant cousins: Mira, Michel, Florence, Alexandre, Anne and Caroline whom we grew up with.

 

 

• To my two precious and beautiful nieces in NYC, my sister Micky’s daughters, Lana-Audrey and Juliette-Ann, and their 4 wonderful, sexy, smart and hilarious boys, Mick and Luke (Juliette’s babies), and Ezra and Bodhi (Lana’s babies). To Juliette’s wonderful and very handsome husband Max, and to Lana and Juliette’s dad, Ira, my brother in law, whom I was so in love with when I was a litte girl. And to Esther and Roman, my niece and nephew that I love very much and will always do.

 

• To the wonderful « future children of my sons Justin and Valentin », and to the women they will love, and who will give them the most beautiful gift of all. Can’t wait to be a sexy and loving grandma to my numerous grandchildren to come.

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• To some cherished members of Emmanuel's family who sadly passed away in recent years: Lucienne (Mamie Lulu), Manu's grandmother; Anne, Emmanuel's sister; and Christophe, Emmanuel's brother. I also wish to honor his parents, my sons' grandparents, Guy and Anne-Marie, with deep respect.

 

• Fortunately, Manu who has lost so many of his loved ones recently, has,  besides our sons Justin and Valentin, another magnificent son, Hippolyte, who is now 15 and who is of course, the beloved younger brother of his elder twin brothers. Manu also has a partner, Dorothée, and the three of them are integral parts of my children’s lives. I am so happy for them all.

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• To the very close friends of my parents whom we grew up: with To Tamani Berkani and Georges Casha, to Sarah Guikovaty and to her parents, to Fréderic Dard, his wife and children, to Léon Zitrone,  to Dr. Morelli Maayan, his wife and their son, to  Sir Lucien Horowitz, his wife and children, to Lucie Galmard, her husband and their son Patrick, to Nelly and Adrien Franco, and to their daughters, Diana and Laurence Franco, to Dita and Kara, and to their daughter, Jennyfer, to Sergiu Farcasan, his wife and their children, to Zizi and Faye, to Lucie and Michaela, to  Brigitte Kantor and her parents, to Ursula and Dary Saussard, to Véronique, Francky and Paul Cahn, to Christian and Marie-Hong ( Marion) Bellotti, to Monique Laruppe, to Giulia, my beloved nanny.

 

• And of course, to all my ancestors, whom I never had the chance to meet, but with whom I am connected through blood and history, and through beautiful black-and-white photos that allows me to feel closer to them, and a part of « the clan ». Especially my maternal grandmother Luminita, and her husband, my grandfather Ion, my grandfather Bernard, the husband of my grandmother Caroline, my paternal grandparents.

 

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MATERNAL LOVE

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"WITH MATERNAL LOVE, I CHERISH THESE WONDERFUL ‘CHILDREN’ (SOME OF WHOM ARE NOW ADULTS) WHO WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF MY LIFE."

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"To Laura and Fabio Spezzaferri, who are now grown-ups but whom I love dearly like I love their 4 beautiful children, Giulia, Oscar, Matteo and Luca; to my Viva Brasseur, whom I watched grow and thrive; to Justine and Mathilde Méry, our two beautiful and sweet bridesmaid, when Emmanuel and I remarried in Paris, to Duccio Pouleaud, to Julian Lachaud, to my first baby girl, Adèle Castillon , whom I love and I am so proud of; to Louis de Gouyon Matignon, who is like a son to me; to Laurent and Aurélien Vivès, who are also like my children; to Louis Le Nabasque, the same; to Tessa Sorensen, my dear, beautiful, intelligent, sweet, and kind goddaughter, for whom I will always be there; and to her sisters, whom I love just as much, Tia and Thomassin; to Milan, Lucas, and Mattéo Engström, whom I have loved for a long time; to Léna Océane Nabais, whom I care for deeply, to Morgane Dessislava, to Carmen Bramly, to Kubat Aytekin,  to Alizia, Stella, Emily, and Elisabeth Kouakou, who are the daughters of a sister, hence my nieces; to my very special and beloved Letoya Lanrisa Loosinigi, my wonderful son from Kenya since he was seven in 2012; to my adored, handsome, and intelligent godson Djam Vielle-Traoré, and to his sister Thalia, whom I love just as much; to Anton Sesczak-Hobbé, whom I’ve watched grow up and who is a fantastic young man and part of the family; to Zakary Bernstein and Dune-Billy, who are two wonderful children I’ve seen grow and whom I love; to Lili and Gaspard Sedan-Tamazit, whom I love dearly and who are wonderful, à Alix de Mauduit,  to Maddison, Milan, and Gabriel Al-Jaizani, whom I love and for whom I will always be there; to Elise Tamazit, my baby love; to Louise and Julie Lazarciuc, my two blonde princesses whom I adore; to Marion Eloy, to Nehitie Dillenseger, to Youri Gampel,  and finally to Ryan and Mayline Emery, whom I’ve watched grow and be born, and whom I love very much..."

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