Though he’s far better known in his native France, where he hosts the popular live television talk show “Touche Pas à Mon Poste!” — Don’t Touch My TV Set, to English-speaking folk — Cyril Hanouna is now setting up part-time digs stateside. The Parisian-born media personality has doled out $5.6 million in an off-market deal for a snazzy Hollywood Hills property previously owned by married gallery proprietors/art collectors Jean-Jacques and Julie Darmon, who paid $5.45 million for it back in 2007.
After taking on several odd jobs — working as a bank teller, selling fabric door to door — Hanouna made his TV debut in 1999 on the Comédie+ channel, where he wrote lyrics for trailers, and has since become associated with the Eurovision Song Contest, “Touche Pas à Mon Poste!” and “Nouvelle Star,” the French version of “American Idol.” He also has his own production company called H20 Productions, and is rumored to be launching a political show.
When he’s in Los Angeles, Hanouna will be spending time at this striking concrete and glass contemporary perched within a gated street of similarly styled homes. Located high above the Sunset Strip, Hanouna’s home is right next door to the $4.3 million home of rapper Arizona Zervas. Unassuming in the front, the place is a no-holds-barred party in the back — walls of glass, plus a dramatic two-story, four-sided waterfall that connects to the tip of the angled roofline and flows into the infinity-edge pool and spa flanked by a living wall.
Once inside, a little over 4,000 square feet of open living space sports Fendi and Ralph Lauren furnishings left behind by the former owners, with the main level featuring a living room with a fireplace — one of five throughout — open to the pool area via large floor-to-ceiling glass doors, plus a dining room that seats at least 10. There’s also a sleek kitchen outfitted with high-end appliances and a large eat-in island, along with a plush movie theater with a wet bar, and an exercise room with fireplace and steam shower.
An artistic “floating” staircase heads to the upper level, where the master retreat is a study in opulence with floor-to-ceiling doors that open to a balcony, a walk-in closet and dual bathrooms — one with a spa tub overlooking the city and the other with a steam shower. Rounding it all out: state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, plus a camera-enhanced alarm system.