A day of teaching ended with an unexpected celebration for Dr Stéphane Narcis. He came home to learn he had been crowned Classic King International 2026.
“I nearly leapt off the sofa!” he recalls. He called his parents, his grandmother and his friends straight away, and couldn’t stop smiling until bedtime, and woke the next morning still celebrating, dancing. “Since dance is such an important way of expressing myself, it was the most natural thing to do.”
Behind the crown is a story that brings together education, research, cinema, dance and a deep connection to his Réunionese and Creole identity, along with a decision to stop letting age, background or self-doubt decide what’s possible.
Education, research and creativity
Dr Narcis holds a PhD in Film Studies and a Doctor of Letters, has worked in radio broadcasting in London, and serves as Honorary Vice-Chancellor for External Relations at Pebble Hills University. Cinema remains central to his academic and creative life, while dance has become another way for him to communicate and connect with people: teaching lets him share knowledge, dance gives him room for expression. He describes himself as approachable, warm, curious about people and their stories, and someone who takes his responsibilities seriously without losing his sense of fun.
Carrying Réunion with pride
Dr Narcis is from Saint-Pierre, in southern Réunion, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean whose Creole culture and heritage are central to his identity. Competing internationally let him present a fuller picture of French identity. “Since I am both French and Réunionese, I wanted to include both in the story I tell.” He saw representing France as a responsibility to carry with pride and respect, and representing his culture, he says, is as much about listening as about sharing.
Why he entered, and how he prepared
Dr Narcis entered Classic King International to challenge the idea that age or background should limit what someone is allowed to pursue.
“Everyone has those little voices which say, ‘You can’t do that’ or ‘That opportunity isn’t for you.’ I wished to challenge those beliefs by taking action.”
Entering meant stepping outside his comfort zone and proving, to himself as much as anyone, that his fire hadn’t gone out.
Preparation was a team effort. Designer Nathalie helped turn his ideas into his national costume over several meetings. For his community participation video, he chose Zumba, something he loved and wanted to share with colleagues, friends and family, brought to life by photographer and videographer Jean-François.
His background in non-verbal communication shaped how he approached posture and expression, aiming for a presentation that felt confident, welcoming and natural.
The hardest part, he says, wasn’t any single task but staying motivated when his energy dipped, a challenge he sees as universal, in competitions, work or any personal project. “It is not reasonable to expect yourself to feel just as energetic every day, but you can keep returning to what matters to you.” His confidence never became certainty, but grew as he watched his costume, videos and community work come together, each carrying something personal from people who believed in him. “It was still by no means certain, but a certain confidence comes when you have poured your character and passion into the work.”
More than a crown
For Dr Narcis, the title reflects the courage to attempt something outside his comfort zone, the work involved, and the people who supported him along the way, and it’s given him a platform to encourage others to pursue what they’ve dismissed because of age, background or self-doubt.
Finding community through dance
His dance group brings together people of different occupations, backgrounds, and personalities who’ve built a genuine sense of belonging, close enough that partners, children, and other family members have noticed the bond.
“Through dance, we can share an experience and get to know each other.”
Watching those relationships grow reinforced his desire to keep building spaces where people can connect, and gave him a new appreciation for his own enthusiasm, which he names as his greatest strength.
“Although I enjoy achieving things on my own, there’s extra joy in experiencing it together.”
The person behind the public image
Dr Narcis is candid that the confident image doesn’t show everything. “My mother would definitely say that I can be grumpy at times!” He’s comfortable admitting the tired days and ordinary doubts, and credits the people closest to him, their love, humour and honesty, with keeping him grounded.
His approach to confidence isn’t pretending hard days don’t happen. It’s not treating them as final.
“A tough day needn’t be a verdict on what I can achieve; I can take a break, recover, and then start again.”
When facing criticism or pressure, he stays close to the people who know him and to the reasons he started, while remaining open to feedback that can genuinely help him improve.
He credits his mother with teaching him since childhood to believe in himself and act on his dreams, and his grandmother Ernestina, who is nearly 100, for sharing stories and songs from a very different Réunion, a reminder that being together, kind and authentic stays valuable regardless of public achievement.
His advice to others, especially young men:
“You don’t need all the answers before you start, so learn, make mistakes, and work out your own path.” And: “Keep dreaming and acting, but don’t forget to enjoy your life as you build it.”
What’s next
Acting is a major ambition, with hopes to work on international cinema projects, alongside continuing in pageantry, developing education collaborations, and growing his dance community. He’s also building Stéphane Academy, working with specialists from the International Civility Trainers’ Consortium (ICTC) to develop accredited online courses in non-verbal communication, lie detection and life coaching. “There is still a great deal that I want to learn, produce and achieve. This seems to be the start so why not go for it!”
On ADHD
Dr Narcis recently received an ADHD diagnosis, which he calls a turning point in understanding himself and his reactions. He’s come to see real advantages in how his mind works, while acknowledging the diagnosis brings real difficulties too. His message to children and adults who feel misunderstood or limited: “You merit understanding, support, and the chance to build on your strengths.” A diagnosis, he says, doesn’t limit your future. Understanding yourself better can move you forward with more self-compassion and confidence.
Appreciation
Dr Narcis is quick to credit the people behind the achievement: his mother, for her love and encouragement; his father, for being there; his grandmother Ernestina, for her inspiration; and the late Gabrielle and his late grandfathers, remembered with love.
He thanks his longtime friend Iris; Stéfanie, for her strength; photographer Jean-François; designer Nathalie and her husband, for the costume and photographs; Mehdi and Kelly, for their friendship and humour; his cousin Dalia, whose discovered family connection brought him joy; colleagues Sophie and Bruno, and Sophie’s daughters Alicia and Lola; Claudia; Aurélie, who danced with the group before an injury; and Clarisse, for her generosity and sense of humour.
He also thanks the Mairie Annexe de Bois d’Olives for space to practice, the wider dance community, and Classic King International, its judges and team, plus his followers and online friends. “Having the right people around you makes life so much richer.”
To everyone who voted, messaged or celebrated with him: “Thank you for all the votes, messages, and moments of encouragement.”
Keeping the fire alive
For Dr Narcis, the title is a responsibility rather than a status symbol, one he sums up in a few simple questions:
“Can you make someone feel at home? Can you acknowledge another person’s contribution? Can people count on you?”
He wants to bring warmth, commitment and generosity to the role, believing trust is built through action, not words.
He begins his reign as Classic King International 2026 with ambitions well beyond pageantry: acting, education, dance and Stéphane Academy. But the values that got him here haven’t changed. Family, friendship, community and curiosity remain at the centre of it.
“Being Classic King International 2026 means keeping my fire alive, carrying Réunion with pride and sharing the joy with the people who helped me get here. Life is like a flower: I want to appreciate all petals and encourage others to enjoy theirs.”
About Dr Stéphane Narcis
Location: Saint-Pierre, Réunion Island, France Instagram: @stephanenarcis_officiel
