Since the La Dépêche du Midi video, dedicated to his incredible resemblance to Pierre Niney, was seen several million times on social networks, Yoan-Louis no longer goes unnoticed. Heard in the street, solicited by the media across the country and now recognized well beyond his hairdressing salon, the 34-year-old from Toulouse is experiencing a real whirlwind. If this sudden notoriety brought him his share of stress and unusual situations, it also opened up new professional prospects for him. An unexpected parenthesis which could well permanently change the destiny of the man whom many nickname “Pierre Nin’Hair”.
Rue du Taur, Yoan-Louis struggles to walk without being accosted by passers-by. “Ah, but you’re the double of Pierre Niney! I saw you on the set of ‘Quelle époque’!”, a businessman says to him. “Can I take a selfie with you?” another asks. Since the article and video, seen several million times on social networks, that La Dépêche du Midi dedicated to him on May 28, the 34-year-old Toulouse resident has seen his life turned upside down. “I no longer have a voice, I’ve given too many interviews.”
If it is now integrated into everyone’s mind that he is indeed a hairdresser from Toulouse, and not the famous actor from “The Count of Monte Cristo”, his resemblance continues to fascinate. Carried by this sudden notoriety, the double despite himself has just experienced two weeks of media whirlwind. And he already sees interesting professional opportunities knocking at his door.
“It’s gone in all directions!”
Spotted by Internet users through his educational videos on hairdressing, which he posts on his Instagram account, he has responded to countless requests in the wake of La Dépêche: France Bleu, Le Parisien, Toulouse FM, Ouest-France, TF1, France 5, Closer… Many web media have also used his images. “There was a snowball effect, I didn’t expect that. It went in all directions!” he exclaims. “I have journalists who showed up at the salon (Tia Gigi, rue de la Concorde, where he rents an armchair, editor’s note) and who stayed with me for hours.”
He was interviewed in Paris by Kombini, then continued the same day with Léa Salamé’s show, on France 2. “I was super stressed, it was horrible. In the dressing rooms, I wanted to vomit. I wasn’t sure I would be able to succeed. managing the set live. I blocked my back, that’s why I looked stiff on screen, he says. I wondered what the hell I was doing there, I had imposter syndrome.”
Too much pressure? Without a doubt. “I accepted because I told myself that visibility could be interesting for me professionally, that people would be interested in what I do, in my content on hairdressing.” It worked: his last post, on consent, had double the number of views compared to usual. The number of his followers has also skyrocketed.
“I receive a lot of calls from people who want to make an appointment for a haircut, but I have not opened my reservations beyond two months, voluntarily, otherwise my usual customers would no longer be able to come.” Yoan-Louis also notes with kindness: “A lot of people come to the salon to ask me questions about my hair. I can tell that they’re being curious. Some take a photo of me through the window. And I often feel that people are staring at me out of the corner of their eyes… I’m entitled to ‘Ah!’ Hello Mr. Hairdresser!’ My customers tell me: ‘I’ve only seen you on my phone for two weeks’.”
Pékin Express
The other good news is that professional opportunities are emerging. “Just yesterday, I was called to film in Pékin Express, but I don’t know if I’m going to accept,” he confides. Channels like TF1 and M6 offer him the opportunity to participate in new show concepts. “I don’t just want to play the double. I would prefer a show related to hairdressing, makeovers, well-being.” A French brand of leather goods and accessories, whose name he prefers not to reveal, asked him to pose as a model. “It’s a brand that has great values, with which I feel in agreement. It’s an opportunity for them to have an inexpensive Pierre Niney (laughs).” A new life begins for Pierre Nin’Hair, it seems!
